Indiana Dissolution of Marriage Checklist (2026)

Phase 1 — Pre-Filing Preparation

• Confirm residency: 6 months in Indiana + 3 months in the filing county (for at least one spouse)
• Identify the correct court: Circuit or Superior Court in your county
• Download forms from courts.in.gov/selfservice
• Gather financial documentation for both spouses:
  • Current pay stubs (2 most recent)
  • Last 2–3 years of federal and state tax returns
  • Bank and savings account statements (all accounts, including pre-marital)
  • Investment account statements (all)
  • Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension — including pre-marital balance)
  • Mortgage statement (current balance, payoff amount)
  • Vehicle loan statements
  • Credit card and other debt statements
  • Business interest documentation (if applicable)
• Inventory ALL property — including pre-marital assets, gifts, and inheritances
  • All real estate
  • All bank and investment accounts
  • All retirement accounts (note any pre-marital balance)
  • All vehicles
  • Any significant personal property
  • Any business interests
  • Any gifts or inheritances received before or during the marriage
• Inventory ALL debts
• Note which assets were acquired before marriage or received as gifts/inheritances — you may want to argue for deviation from 50/50

Phase 2 — Draft the Settlement Agreement

• Agree on all property division (starting from 50/50 as the baseline):
  • Real estate — who keeps, or sell; equity buyout method; refinancing deadline
  • Bank and investment accounts — who gets what or split
  • Retirement accounts — QDRO or IRA transfer; percentage or dollar amount
  • Vehicles — who keeps; loan refinancing
  • Debts — assign each debt; indemnification language
• If deviating from 50/50: document the justification in the Settlement Agreement (contribution, origin, economic circumstances, or dissipation)
• Maintenance (very limited in Indiana — specific statutory grounds only; include waiver if no maintenance)
• Children (if applicable): legal custody, physical custody, parenting schedule, child support
• Both spouses review and sign the Settlement Agreement
• Verify child support is calculated per Indiana Guidelines

Phase 3 — Complete Required Forms

• Verified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
• Summons (if serving the other party — or Waiver of Service if cooperative)
• Settlement Agreement (drafted by parties)
• CCS / Case Information Sheet
• If children: Child Support Worksheet + proposed Order
• If children: Parenting Plan
• Provisional Order forms (if needed for temporary arrangements during the case)

Phase 4 — File and Pay

• File the complete packet at the Circuit or Superior Court clerk's office
• Pay filing fee ($131–$176)
• Receive case number
• Note the FILING DATE — 60-day clock starts now

Phase 5 — Serve the Respondent (or Waiver)

• Petitioner serves Respondent with Petition and Summons (if not joint filing)
• OR Respondent signs Waiver of Service

Phase 6 — The 60-Day Waiting Period

• Mark Day 61 on your calendar (first day final hearing can occur)
• Use this time to finalize Settlement Agreement if not already done
• Complete child support worksheets if applicable
• Schedule finalization hearing with the court (after Day 60)

Phase 7 — Final Hearing

• Attend final hearing (both spouses typically attend)
• Present Settlement Agreement to judge
• Judge reviews and approves (may have questions)
• Decree of Dissolution of Marriage is entered

Phase 8 — Post-Dissolution

• Real estate: Prepare deed → record at county Recorder's office
• Indiana BMV: Title transfer for vehicles
• Retirement accounts: QDRO for employer plans; IRA transfer for IRAs
• Beneficiary designations: Update all — 401k, IRA, life insurance
• Name restoration: Social Security → Indiana BMV → bank accounts
• Health insurance: Arrange new coverage within COBRA window (60 days)

Last reviewed: March 2026 | Forms: courts.in.gov/selfservice | 60-day waiting period mandatory | 50/50 presumption starting point

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.