What you get
- An editable Word document, drafted from your answers and the state's official text.
- A proof of sources: every citation in the draft with the words it quotes, the official source, the date the text was saved and its fingerprint.
- Notes for counsel listing each point marked [VERIFY], each blank and each choice left for the client.
- It is filed with a court, so the notes include filing reminders for the court's own rules.
What the intake asks
Plain questions, in the order an attorney would take the facts. Anything left blank stays a marked blank in the draft; nothing is invented to fill it.
The parties and the court
- Our client (the spouse who files)
- The other spouse
- Court
- Both spouses' residence, domicile and venue facts
- Service information for the other spouse
The marriage
- Date of marriage
- Place of marriage
- Date of separation
The ground
- Ground for divorce
- Is there a signed separation agreement
- Facts supporting the ground
- Living in this state continuously since
- Anything else about residency to plead
- Was the marriage performed by a member of the clergy or a religious ceremony
- Any earlier divorce, custody or support case between these parties
- and 5 more
Children
- Minor children of the marriage
- Children
- Any child born to either party outside this marriage
- Custody requested
- Parenting time requested
- Request child support
What we are asking for
- Spousal support
- Ask the court to divide the marital property and debts
- Marital residence
- Who carries the health insurance now
- Ask for temporary relief while the case is pending
- Restore our client's former name
- Former name to restore
- and 1 more
Signature
- Signing attorney
Where it is offered
Every state Lawsmith has official sources for:
CaliforniaConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaMarylandMassachusettsNew JerseyNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaTexasVirginia
Official sources on file
The drafter works from the texts Lawsmith has saved for this document in the state you choose, plus federal law where it applies. Each is read from the official publisher and dated.
| State | Sources for this document |
|---|---|
| California | 26 |
| Connecticut | 32 |
| Delaware | 15 |
| District of Columbia | 25 |
| Florida | 11 |
| Maryland | 19 |
| Massachusetts | 26 |
| New Jersey | 17 |
| New York | 18 |
| Ohio | 17 |
| Pennsylvania | 36 |
| Texas | 20 |
| Virginia | 22 |
Among them, for New Jersey:
- N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2 Causes for divorce from bond of matrimony.
- N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10 Jurisdiction in divorce proceedings, dissolution of a civil union, legal separation from a partner in a civil union couple; service of process; residence requirements.
- N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23 Alimony, maintenance.
- N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23.1 Equitable distribution criteria.
- N.J.S.A. 9:2-4 Custody of child; rights of both parents considered.
How the draft is checked
Before it writes, the drafter must quote the official text behind each citation. Lawsmith compares every quotation with the text on file, character for character; a citation with no checked quotation reaches you marked [VERIFY]. The draft still needs your review before it is signed, filed or sent. How citations are checked
More divorce & family documents
Marital Settlement AgreementParenting PlanCustody MotionFinancial AffidavitChild Support ModificationPrenuptial AgreementPostnuptial AgreementMotion for Rule to Show CauseName Change Petition