This is the road traveled in a typical dissolution of marriage. 1. Determine jurisdiction Determines in which state and county court you can file for a divorce. It is usually the county in which one of the parties resides. 2. Identify the parties The parties to the divorce are the Petitioner and the Respondent. 2a. The petitioner The party who starts the divorce by filing and serving the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. 2b. The respondent The other spouse who was served with the Petition and files a Response. 3. Serve documents  Service is a required step in the litigation process. This is when you give the other party a copy of the documents filed in the court. This can be done by a professional process server or an uninterested third party. Additionally, service can be accomplished by having the other party sign an acceptance of service. 4. File a response The document stating what the Respondent wants in the divorce. 5. Establish temporary orders If there is no agreement, you will file a motion with the court requesting a Temporary Order to establish a parenting plan, visitation, child support, spousal support (alimony), possession of property, and payment of bills. 6. Attend required parent education classes All divorcing parents of minor children must attend a parenting education course within 60 days of the service of the petition. 7. Discovery phase This phase is several legal processes by which you both obtain information from, and provide information to, your spouse about issues raised. 8. Participate in mediation A formal negotiation to resolve the disputed issues in the divorce with the assistance of a professional mediator before going to trial. This is required in some counties if there are minor children. 9. Move forward with the trial If you are unable to resolve all issues in your divorce, you will have to go to trial and have a judge decide the issues for you. 10. Arrive at a settlement If you and your spouse resolve all issues before trial, you can settle your case. You will present a written settlement agreement to the court. If approved, your divorce will be finalized without a trial.