The Judicial Branch has a procedure for parties with full written agreements in family court matters to request approval of their agreements without having to come to the courthouse for a hearing. The procedure is available to request the entry of final judgment in any action for custody, visitation between parents, dissolution of marriage, or legal separation, or a final order on any motion in such a case, as long as the parties are in complete agreement and file all necessary documents. However, you may not use this procedure in your case if there is a restraining order or protective order between the parties, or if an application for such an order is pending.

You may find explanations of the procedures and necessary documents in your case by following the applicable link below. In all cases, both parties must file affidavits swearing to the truth of the matters that they would have testified about in court. Forms for the affidavits are available as noted in the instructions for each case type. If the parties' affidavits state different versions of the facts, the court may not be able to approve your agreement without scheduling a future hearing, which you would be required to attend. The affidavits must be sworn to before a notary public, attorney, or other officer empowered to take oaths.

Completed and signed documents should be e-filed, if you are enrolled in E-Services. If you are not, then enrolling in E-services and electronically filing your papers will help to expedite the process. To enroll in E-Services go here. If you do not enroll in E-Services, then you should submit the documents to the courthouse that is currently handling your case.

In many cases, there will be other documents that also require your signature under oath, such as financial affidavits. It is suggested that you complete all necessary documents before you make arrangements for notarization so that you may have everything signed and sworn to in one meeting.

Click here if you want to request final judgment in your divorce or legal separation case.
Click here if you want to request final judgment in your custody/visitation case.
Click here if you want to request final orders on individual motions in any case.

What To Do If You Want To Make Your Divorce or Legal Separation Final

Forms Required in All Divorce or Legal Separation Cases

In order to request the court to enter a final judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation without your appearance at a hearing in court, you must file the following documents. If there is an asterisk (*) after the name of the form, you must use the official court form. If there is no asterisk, you may use a document that is prepared by or for you, as long as it contains the information that you would have needed to complete the form.

Additional Forms Required If You Have Minor Children

If the parties have any minor children you must file all of the forms listed above plus the following additional forms. However, if you are not able to prepare the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet listed below, you may file everything that is required except that form. If your documents are otherwise complete, you will be contacted by a Family Relations Counselor to review your paperwork and assist you in completing the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet.

What To Do If You Want Your Custody/Visitation Agreement to be Made A Final Judgment

In order to request the court to approve your agreement as a final judgment in your custody/visitation action without your appearance at a hearing in court, you must file the following documents. If there is an asterisk (*) after the name of the form, you must use the official court form. If there is no asterisk, you may use a document that is prepared by or for you, as long as it contains the information that you would have needed to complete the form. However, if you are not able to prepare the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet listed below, you may file everything that is required except that form. If your documents are otherwise complete, you will be contacted by a Family Relations Counselor to review your paperwork and assist you in completing the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet. When your case was first filed, a copy of a document that establishes that the parties are the legal parents of each subject child should also have been filed. Examples of such documents include birth certificates, acknowledgments of paternity, and court orders that establish the parent-child relationship. If the required document has not yet been filed in your case, then it must be filed before your final agreement is approved, in addition to the other documents listed below.

What To Do If You Want The Court to Approve Your Final Agreement on Motions

In order to request the court to approve your final agreement on a motion or group of motions and enter the agreement as an order of the court, without your appearance at a hearing in court, you must file certain documents. If your agreement in a paper file concerns the modification or enforcement of a prior court order, please attach a copy of the prior order to the agreement; this may expedite action on your request if the court file is not accessible.

You must file the documents listed in Table 1 below in all cases. If your agreement concerns any financial matters, such as property, alimony, or child support, then you must also file the documents listed in Table 2 below. If there is an asterisk (*) after the name of the form, you must use the official court form. If there is no asterisk, you may use a document that is prepared by or for you, as long as it contains the information that you would have needed to complete the form.

Table 1 - Forms Required in All Cases

Table 2 - Additional Forms Required If Your Agreement Concerns Financial Issues

NOTE: If your agreement concerns child support and you are not able to prepare the Child Support Guideline Worksheet as listed in Table 2, you may file everything that is required except that form. If your documents are otherwise complete, you will be contacted by a Family Relations Counselor to review your paperwork and assist you in completing the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet.