Official sources & next steps
Use the planning tools for organization; check official sources and qualified professionals for actual legal requirements.
Looking for a family-law lawyer or law firm? Visit our free lawyer search and contacts worksheet. It links to relevant professional registers.
Australia
Federal Circuit and Family Court — Divorce overview ↗
MoneySmart — Divorce and separation financial checklist ↗
United States
Requirements and forms differ by state. Use your state court's official self-help pages.
USA.gov — Legal aid and help ↗
California Courts — Divorce self-help (California only) ↗
United Kingdom
England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have different processes. Use the appropriate legal system rather than assuming there is one UK-wide process.
England and Wales — GOV.UK divorce guidance ↗
Scotland — Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service ↗
Northern Ireland — nidirect divorce guidance ↗
Canada
The federal Divorce Act and provincial or territorial procedures both matter.
Department of Justice — Divorce and separation ↗
Find province or territory resources ↗
New Zealand
New Zealand Government — Separating or getting divorced ↗
Ireland
Irish Courts Service — Legal advice and mediation ↗
Citizens Information — Family and relationships ↗
Wellbeing and safety support
Independent resources for people in the six countries currently supported by our guides and planning tools. These are starting points, not emergency services run by PlanMyDivorce.
- Australia: Medicare Mental Health · 1800RESPECT
- United States: 988 Lifeline · National Domestic Violence Hotline
- United Kingdom: NHS mental health services · Domestic abuse support
- Canada: 9-8-8 crisis support · Family violence information
- New Zealand: Mental Health Foundation · Family violence information
- Ireland: HSE mental health support · Department of Justice resources
In an immediate emergency, call your local emergency number. If someone monitors your device, consider seeking help from a safe device.