Extract Data From Legal South Dakota Divorce Forms For Free

Even for uncontested divorces, South Dakota law requires spouses to wait 60 days from the date you file the divorce paperwork until the judge can finalize the divorce. (S.D. Codified Laws §25-4-34.) The law doesn't require either spouse to attend a final divorce hearing for uncontested divorces.

Under South Dakota law a divorce may be granted for any of these grounds: adultery, extreme cruelty (including bodily injury or grievous mental suffering), willful desertion, willful neglect, habitual intemperance, conviction of a felony, chronic mental illness or irreconcilable differences.

South Dakota recognizes both ?fault" and ?no-fault" divorce. A fault divorce action places blame for the divorce on one party while a no-fault divorce claims ?irreconcilable differences" between two spouses justify a divorce.

There is a filing fee at the courthouse of approximately $95 for each case. In addition, depending upon whether a lawyer is used, there is the cost of the attorney. Each divorce is different, so most divorce lawyers base their fees on an hourly rate.

Getting Help Filing Your South Dakota Divorce If you'd like to DIY your divorce, the state has information, instructions, and forms available online. You can also get forms from your court clerk.

If you'd like to receive a copy of your divorce papers and you know your case number, you should: Send a letter or email to the court that dealt with your divorce. You can use the government's court finder tool if you're not sure which court to contact.