Alabama Complaint for Divorce

In Alabama, a Complaint for Divorce is the legal document that begins the divorce process. Once filed with the appropriate Circuit Court, it officially opens the case.

The Complaint can be filed in the county where either spouse resides, provided that at least one spouse has been a legal resident of Alabama for a minimum of six months.

Filing a Complaint for Divorce does not finalize the divorce. To legally end the marriage, a judge must review the case and sign a Final Judgment of Divorce. Until that occurs, the marriage remains legally intact.

In uncontested cases, either spouse may withdraw the Complaint before the Final Judgment is entered.

Under Alabama law, courts must wait a minimum of 30 days from the date of filing before granting a divorce. If the case involves domestic violence, different timelines may apply. Most uncontested divorces are finalized between 30 and 45 days after filing, depending on the court’s schedule and whether children are involved.