The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. Easy, swift, and typically painless for both parties, quick divorces have become a common procedure nationwide.

Who Can Do It

Couples where all issues, including any property division, have been previously resolved and will not be contested at any point during the procedure.

Couples with no outstanding financial debts.

Couples with no dependant children (under 18).

Any marriage in which both spouses want to terminate the marriage speedily.

Who Can’t

Couples where one of the spouses refuses to sign paperwork or at any time contests the procedure.

Couples where one of the parties doesn't respond to the spouse's request for divorce or has moved away and cannot be located.

Course of Action

Filing for Divorce - A petition, called "Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage," must be completed and signed by the applicant. All proposed orders and any other compulsory support forms must be filed (and paid) with the court. Many online and in-office companies can do the whole procedure for you for a flat fee of $300-500.

Notification – After you file, your spouse has to be notified, or served. He or she can simply sign a Voluntary Appearance document, which simply states an agreement with the whole procedure.  

Waiting Period – Except for Nevada, most states require residency (at least six months and up to three years in some states) and a waiting period of 30 to 90 days before a judge can dissolve a marriage.

Testimony – In uncontested divorces, only the filing spouse needs to appear and read testimony. If you are filing through a company, you can present your testimony in the company’s office, and they, in turn, will present it to the court.

Signed Order – A judge will review and sign the final order terminating the marriage.

Do-It-Yourself or Companies?

If you have the time and energy to do all the filling yourself, your only costs will be the certification stamps the court requires of any filed documents. However, the process can require numerous trips (and long waiting lines) at the courthouse. If you plan on doing the process by yourself, consider buying a book or do-it-yourself kit such as Divorce Yourself: The National No-Fault Divorce Kit, by Daniel Sitarz, which contains all legal forms, checklists, and courtroom guidelines you need.

A divorce company will do the whole process for a flat fee, and avoid you frequent trips to court by taking your testimony, compiling all  necessary paperwork, and filing all forms for you.