Why Divorce.com?
Benefits of an Online Divorce
Divorce.com provides a fast, convenient method to prepare court-required paperwork for uncontested divorces. The service allows couples in agreement to reduce expenses and avoid attorneys. Spouses can draft necessary documents in days, with all forms selected and completed automatically based on their circumstances.
The Process
Answer verification questions to determine service eligibility
Complete detailed questionnaire about your situation and desired divorce terms
Download completed forms and filing instructions as PDF within two business days
Print, sign, and file paperwork with the local court
Alaska
Divorce Forms
All the forms required
Legal forms to start a divorce in Alaska depend on many circumstances, such as the presence of minor children and the willingness of spouses to resolve all disputes before going to court.
Some forms may be obtained at self-help centers, in courts, or from various online resources. Below is a list of basic documents a person must file with the clerk's office:
Complaint for Divorce (SHC-110 or SHC-111) or Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (DR-100 or DR-105)
Information Sheet (DR-314)
Appearance and Waiver of Notice of Hearing (DR-110)
Joint Motion to Put Settlement on the Record (SHC-1063)
Certificate of Divorce, Dissolution, or Annulment (VS-401)
Cover sheet (DR-1, DR-2, or DR-3)
Property & Debt Worksheet (SHC-1000)
Proof of Notice (DR-225)
Financial Declaration (DR-250)
Child Support Order (DR-300)
Shared Custody Child Support Calculation (DR-306)
Parenting Plan Agreement & Order (SHC-1128)
Child Custody Jurisdiction Affidavit (DR-150)
Child Support Guidelines Affidavit (DR-305)
Exemption From the Payment of Fees (TF-920)
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law & Decree of Divorce (DR 801 & 806)
Not all forms from the list above apply to each situation. For example, if spouses don't have children, they won't need to fill out and file child-related papers.
Steps to consider
Filing Requirements
Residency Requirements
Alaska laws require that all divorcing couples meet the state's residency requirements, allowing judges to establish jurisdiction and issue relevant court orders.
The requirements differ depending on the party they apply to. First, either spouse must be a state resident at the moment of the filing and intend to stay in Alaska. In addition, children must have lived in the state for six months. And finally, military personnel must have been stationed in Alaska for 30 days before the lawsuit.
Grounds for Divorce
Alaska family law allows spouses to divorce using no-fault or fault-based grounds. These are the reasons why they want to terminate their marriage. The most common cause is incompatibility because it doesn't require presenting evidence of anyone's guilt.
The spouses may also choose one of the following fault-based causes for divorce:
Failure to consummate the marriage;
Conviction of a felony;
Adultery;
Desertion for one year;
Cruel treatment;
Habitual drunkenness for one year or drug addiction;
Incurable mental illness with institutionalization for 18 months.
Initial Filing
A person must file several legal forms to start a divorce case in Alaska. They include a Petition (with or without children) or a Complaint if the divorce is contested. Other forms are the Information Sheet, Certificate of Divorce, Dissolution of Marriage or Annulment, and the Shared Custody Child Support Calculation form.
The filing spouse must file the originals and copies of these papers with the superior court in the county where either party lives.
Filing Fees
Alaska Administrative Rule 9B requires all parties starting a divorce to pay the $250 filing fee when turning in their initial paperwork. The court fees may also include the sheriff's services of delivering the copies of papers to the other spouse.
However, a petitioner can ask a judge to waive this payment if their income is insufficient. They must prove their inability to pay with financial information provided in the Request for Exemption from Payment of Fees (form TF-920).
Serving the Respondent
The filing spouse must notify the other party (the respondent) about the divorce. First, the petitioner must collect copies of all filed papers and the Summons. Then, they must decide how to deliver the documents to the other spouse, who can file response papers.
They can do it in several ways:
By hiring a sheriff or a private process server;
By sending the papers by certified mail;
Publicizing the Summons in the local newspaper (if they can't find the respondent).
Waiting Period
All spouses filing for divorce or marriage dissolution must wait 30 days from the filing date to the final hearing. It is called a waiting or cooling-off period. The couples may amend or withdraw their petition during this time.
The spouses must also attend a parenting class and can use these 30 days to get a certificate of completion. They can either go to a family court and watch an approved video or complete the educational course online.
Finalizing a Divorce Case
Both parties must attend a final hearing where a judge will review their request and accompanying paperwork. The judge will ask the spouses questions to determine whether they understand their decisions' consequences and ensure that the child's best interests are met.
It's not customary to sign the divorce decree right after the hearing, so it will take a few days before the judge issues the final judgment. After that, the spouses will receive their copies of the decree.
Filing basics
Filing for Divorce
Alaska
How to get started
Legal forms to start a divorce in Alaska depend on many circumstances, such as the presence of minor children and the willingness of spouses to resolve all disputes before going to court.
Some forms may be obtained at self-help centers, in courts, or from various online resources. Below is a list of basic documents a person must file with the clerk's office:
Complaint for Divorce (SHC-110 or SHC-111) or Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (DR-100 or DR-105)
Information Sheet (DR-314)
Appearance and Waiver of Notice of Hearing (DR-110)
Joint Motion to Put Settlement on the Record (SHC-1063)
Certificate of Divorce, Dissolution, or Annulment (VS-401)
Cover sheet (DR-1, DR-2, or DR-3)
Property & Debt Worksheet (SHC-1000)
Proof of Notice (DR-225)
Financial Declaration (DR-250)
Child Support Order (DR-300)
Shared Custody Child Support Calculation (DR-306)
Parenting Plan Agreement & Order (SHC-1128)
Child Custody Jurisdiction Affidavit (DR-150)
Child Support Guidelines Affidavit (DR-305)
Exemption From the Payment of Fees (TF-920)
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law & Decree of Divorce (DR 801 & 806)
Not all forms from the list above apply to each situation. For example, if spouses don't have children, they won't need to fill out and file child-related papers.
Custody Basics
Divorcing couples with minor children must decide on custody before a judge can grant divorce. Spouses can develop a parenting plan for court approval, or the judge decides if they cannot agree. Custody orders address legal and physical arrangements, financial responsibilities, health insurance, and child support.
Alaska law provides joint legal custody, sole legal custody, shared physical custody, and primary physical custody arrangements. Judges consider the child's needs, each parent's capability, the child's wishes, parent relationships, and domestic violence history when determining best interests.
Custody of minor children means legal responsibility to care for them until they turn 19. One way to determine custody is for divorcing parents to agree on it in a parenting plan. The other option is to get the custody order from the family court.
There are several types of custody under Alabama family law:
Joint legal custody - parents have equal rights to make crucial decisions concerning their child’s life, e.g., education, healthcare, etc.
Sole legal custody - only one parent (a primary custodian) makes decisions about the child’s well-being.
Joint physical custody - the child has frequent contact with both parents and may live with each of them according to an agreed schedule.
Sole physical custody - the child lives with one parent while the other has visitation rights.
The parents can agree on child custody or hire a divorce mediator. If nothing helps, the judge will consider the following factors before issuing any court orders:
the emotional, social, and other needs of the child
the child’s age and sex
each party’s home environments
each parent’s age, stability, and health
the ability of each parent to provide for the child’s needs
the child’s relationship with parents and siblings
the child’s preferences
the history of domestic violence, etc.
Uncontested Divorce
Filing for an uncontested divorce has many benefits compared to traditional litigation. First, spouses avoid a contentious process and court trial, keeping the level of conflict at its lowest. And second, they can reduce divorce expenses if they decide in favor of DIY divorce paperwork.
Spouses can make their divorce uncontested if they negotiate critical terms alone or consult a divorce mediator. If both parties agree on all issues, they can complete and file a mutual settlement agreement with proposed provisions on the:
property division, including bank accounts, retirement benefits, real estate, debts, etc.
spousal maintenance (alimony)
child custody and support
These agreed terms usually become part of the divorce decree, so it is paramount to fill out all documentation carefully.
Divorce.com can help you collect the correct forms for your divorce and fill them out quickly and without mistakes. Additionally, you will get written instructions on filing your case with the court.
Support Basics
Alaska parents have legal obligation to support minor children after divorce by providing necessities and paying for health and dental care. The non-residential parent pays support while the primary custodian typically spends directly on the child.
Alaska uses a Flat Percentage of Income Model: one child receives 20% of adjusted annual income, two children get 27%, and three receive 33%. Courts provide form DR-310 to calculate support for different physical custody arrangements.
