Are you considering divorce and wondering what the process will be like? Your state divorce laws will determine what you go through once you have made the decision. Keep in mind that every divorce is different, especially if you go to court Pro Se, without an attorney. Along with these steps you will have issues come up that pertain to your individual divorce.
Some states do not have laws that allow a couple to participate in a legal separation. In those states, you are married until a court decides otherwise. If your state laws allow couples to separate legally when one or the other spouse leaves the family residence your attorney will petition the courts for a separation agreement. This agreement protects the interests of both spouses and any children of the marriage by making sure that both parties meet their legal responsibilities to each other.
If your state doesn’t have laws that allow a legal separation your next step would be to contact your attorney or file a petition with the courts yourself requesting a hearing so that a temporary separation agreement can be ordered. This is done after filing a petition for divorce in states with no legal separation laws on the books.