A divorce petition must be submitted to the rabbinical court located in the district in which the parties last resided as a couple. It is acceptable to file for divorce and at the same time file for alimony and/or child and for custody. The Family Court will consider the claim and check to see whether the plaintiff can be granted a religious divorce under Jewish law. Sometimes, the spouse/partner does not want a divorce and in these cases reconciliation is requested by the attorney of the party interested.
In cases where the parties reach an agreement on matters involved in ending their relationship, it is customary to draft a divorce agreement and submit it for approval to the Rabbinical Court or the family court. Divorce cases last between six months to five years, depending on the complexity of the case and the issues disputed by the parties.