Q: How do i file for divorce?
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- Alaska
- (907) 868-5050
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- Answered
A:
You can either hire an attorney to draw up the paperwork or file it yourself using the resources provided by the court system. To make that decision, go to the court's website: http://courts.alaska.gov/shc/representing-yourself-info.htm.
Note that there is a phone number for the Family Law Self Help Center if you have questions about the mechanics of filing after reading through all the materials.
If all that's too daunting for you, then you should hire an attorney. You can call the Alaska Bar Association and ask for referral to a family law attorney.
Even if you represent yourself, you should talk to an attorney at some point before your final hearing (unless you have complete agreement regarding child custody, and have little or no assets and debts) It's pretty easy to miss or misunderstand something important. If you just need a little help you can ask for referral to an attorney who offers "unbundled" services (meaning they will assist with bits and pieces, rather than taking responsibility for the whole case.)
A: A really good site for you to visit as suggested by Mr. Otterson below is to visit the Alaska Family Self-Help law site. Just type in that phrase that I wrote above and enter it into Google. I used it myself when I was a new attorney. Click on the package that represents your situation (i.e. divorce without children, divorce with children). Lets assume it is a simple divorce without children or property as you do not have the representation of an attorney now. You will start it by filling out a complaint (template provided at Alaska self-help), a confidential information form, and a case description form. File these at your local Superior Court along with a $200 check. Serve your husband by a registered Alaska process server. Usually cost $75 or more. Once 20 days have passed, assuming your husband has not answered your divorce file a motion for default judgement (again template provided at Alaska self-help). A default judgment hearing will be scheduled. Just appear at this hearing and tell the judge that you just want a divorce. He will grant it. If all else fails, cough up the money and hire me. I will do it affordably.
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