1. Gather all important documents:
This includes important financial information, birth certificates, social security cards, etc. This documentation will be needed to file for divorce and to divide assets fairly during the settlement process.
2. Determine finances and property division:
This step is critical in order to have a smooth divorce process. You and your spouse will need to come to an agreement on who gets what assets, how debts will be divided, and so on. If you cannot agree, the court will decide these matters for you.
3. Draft a parenting plan:
If you have children, you will need to create a parenting plan that lays out custody arrangements, visitation schedules, and any other relevant information. If you are unable to come to an agreement on your own, the court will create a parenting plan for you.
4. Notify family and friends:
It is often best to break the news of a divorce yourself instead of having others do it for you. This allows you to control the narrative and manage how people react. It can also be helpful to have people around you who can offer emotional support during this difficult time.
5. File for divorce:
In order to file for divorce in Virginia, you will need to complete a Petition for Divorce form and file it with the Circuit Court in your county of residence. You can find more information on the Virginia Courts website.
6. Serve divorce papers to your spouse:
The next step is to serve your spouse with the divorce papers. This can be done by hiring a process server or by having someone hand them directly to your spouse.
7. Deal with the emotional stress of divorce:
Divorce is a highly emotional process and can be very overwhelming at times. It is important to have support from family and friends during this time. There are also various therapy options available if you need more assistance coping with the stress of divorce.
8. Move on with your life:
After completing all of the steps above, it is time to move on with your life! This can be difficult but it is important to remember that you are not alone and there are people who care about you and want to help you through this tough time.