A divorce is started by filing a complaint for divorce. This document has several important components.

• It informs the court why it has jurisdiction over you and you spouse.
• It sets out when, where, and by whom you were married.
• It declares there to be an irreconcilable breakdown of the marriage.
• It lists the number of children born during the marriage, and their age.
• It indicates what you believe to be the appropriate custodial arrangement.
• It sets forth your position on both child support and spousal support.
• It has a general request for property and asset division, and states whether there are separate assets that need to be considered.
• Where necessary, its sets forth the reasons why you should be given ExParte relief, and the type of ExParte relief you are seeking.
• It addresses requests for attorney fees.
• If you have been physically injured prior to the divorce, it can also ask for financial compensation for pain and suffering.

For more information on divorce, please refer to:

• Divorce Overview
  
• Pre-Divorce Procedure
  
• Determining Jurisdiction and Filing the Complaint
• Filing Procedure
• Grounds for Divorce
• Ex Parte Orders
• Serving the Defendant
• Answering the Complaint for Divorce
• Discovery
• Mediation
• Arbitration
• Trial
• Trial Procedure
• Mandatory Waiting Period
• Judgment on Divorce
• Consent Judgment on Divorce
• Entry of the Judgment of Divorce
• Enforcement of the Terms of the Judgment of Divorce