- 1). Compile a list of all marital assets, liabilities, and issues you wish to be included in a final divorce decree. Courts will generally split liabilities and assets in divorce. If you suspect your spouse of hiding assets, you may want to speak to a forensic accountant prior to filing any documents.
- 2). Visit the clerk's office of your local county courthouse and obtain a copy of an Original Petition for Divorce. Once completed and filed, you will receive a stamped copy along with a court assignment to a family law judge in the courthouse. Depending upon the size of your jurisdiction, there may be several judges who handle the family law call. Clerks assign cases randomly, based on factors such as a individual judge's caseload or vacation schedule.
- 3). Research the judge to which you have been assigned by searching for any articles the judge may have published in your local bar association magazine or local newspaper articles. If, for some reason, you do not like the judge to which the case has been assigned, you can file a Motion to Substitute Judges, which will send your divorce file to another judge.
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