For those who filed on their own, what was your process?

Noracto2 · 2026-04-16T11:27:44+00:00

I wrote down everything I could possible recall, went through all the old text messages, facebook messages, Wrote it all down again, wrote an app to organize it all, waitied 2 years after seperation from her before i finally filed for family court (Gathering evidence for the entire two years) documenting how i continuously made improvements to my life whilst she spent the whole time living with her mum, no job, living off the government payments. Looked up the cost of lawyers to fight for me, and then decided to just research it all and handle it myself and well.... She's agreed to 50/50 custody because every single one of her arguments fell completely apart because i had EVERYTHING documented with text/email/messaging proof. I am in Australia so the divorce process is probably different here...

Final_Minimum1443 · 2026-04-10T19:44:35+00:00

Tried to file online for divorce. Very confusing says you can and file a fee. Also, says has to be notarized and viewed by a notary. I can't file until a year and a day. Not taking the chance and finding out misled information by a few weeks, not sure it would really matter. I will knock out everything all at once first week of May.

EmbarrassedAge7612 · 2026-04-10T13:50:56+00:00

I found a lawyer that was willing to let me do a lot of the leg work for a reduced price. She basically walked me through everything I needed to file. Thanks to her I got full custody and no spousal support.

TeddyPSmith · 2026-04-10T11:39:03+00:00

Printed out the paperwork, filled it out, got it notarized, filed at clerk of court. Then had to do another step, got it notarized, and filed that. Waiting on the court date now. Cost less than $500 and was really easy

Final_Minimum1443 · 2026-04-10T11:04:14+00:00

I'm nervous because I should find out today when my second class day will be. It's the longer of the two since it’s a clinical day. I knew I'd have class during my parenting time and could work when I don't have the children, but that second day might be a Wednesday or Thursday. If it’s a Thursday, I’ll have to work every Sunday, meaning I’d only get two half-days with my oldest instead of one full day and two half-days.

I’d like to change the current custody schedule eventually, but I feel like I should keep it as-is for another year. I’m just not sure if I’m allowed to or how that works. A change would be beneficial; if we rotated full weekends, I’d get more time. I’m also nervous about telling my ex I’m going back to school, though I don’t know why. I feel bad about the idea of dropping the kids off without saying goodbye on my school night since it's an evening class—unless we can transition to a morning drop-off for the youngest and school pickup for the oldest.

upvotersfortruth · 2026-04-10T03:14:14+00:00

100% depends on your jurisdiction.

FUMoney · 2026-04-10T02:58:45+00:00

What jurisdiction are you in? Notarization usually isn't required. When you sign, it usually is under penalty of perjury, which is enough for just about anything, at least in the states of the United States. (Exceptions will be a settlement agreement, usually has to be notarized, sometimes wills and trusts too.)

Also, I'd file for both custody and divorce at the same time. It will greatly smooth the process. Both items will be assigned to a single judge, hopefully, if your jurisdiction works that way. Otherwise, you'll be advancing a custody battle, but without having filed for divorce, and there may be a threshold requirement, such as a separation between both biological parents. But a petition for divorce will definitely grant the court jurisdiction to consider the custody issues you raise.

SeaweedWeird7705 · 2026-04-10T02:13:20+00:00

I’m in California. Forms are available from the court website, along with online instructions. We did form FL-800 and it was easy to complete.

Title	For those who filed on their own, what was your process?
Author	Final_Minimum1443
Upvotes	3
Comments	10
Date	April 10, 2026 1:40 AM UTC (3 months ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1sh8vlv/for_those_who_filed_on_their_own_what_was_your/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/for-those-who-filed-on-their-own-what-was-your.1577564 https://theredarchive.com/post/1577564

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