Original Petition for Divorce

The original petition for divorce (known as a letter of complaint in some states), is the document that initiates the divorce process when filed with the court clerk. In starting the divorce, the original petition for divorce requests that the court grant the termination of marriage and will list the relief that each of the parties involced feels they deserve.

To begin with, the letter of complaint identifies all of the parties in the dissolution of marriage, and also lists out the children involved. The one who is initiating the divorce will supply a reason. Generally, in no-fault divorces this will end up being irreconcilable differences.

The term for the spouse that is filing for divorce is the petitioner, and the other spouse is referred to as the respondent, or defendant.