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Templates reviewed for the 2026 filing year · Based on official state forms
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North Carolina divorce template samples
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Uncontested Divorce SampleSee the full text of the agreement both spouses sign together.
Complaint for Absolute Divorce — Uncontested
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE, DISTRICT COURT DIVISION, COUNTY OF [1. County]
File No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Absolute Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has resided in the State of North Carolina for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. The parties have lived separate and apart continuously for at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.
Grounds for Divorce
The parties have lived separate and apart for a period of one year, and the Plaintiff has resided in the State for a period of six months, in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6. The marriage should be dissolved absolutely.
Property and Debt Division
The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [8. Property and Debt Division Terms]
Alimony
The parties have agreed that alimony shall be as follows: [9. Alimony Terms]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Judgment of Absolute Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' agreement regarding property, debts, and alimony;
(c) restore Plaintiff's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and
(d) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [11. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].
Contested Divorce SampleSee how disputed terms are laid out before you fill anything in.
Complaint for Absolute Divorce — Contested
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE, DISTRICT COURT DIVISION, COUNTY OF [1. County]
File No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Absolute Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has resided in the State of North Carolina for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. The parties have lived separate and apart continuously for at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.
Grounds for Divorce
The parties have lived separate and apart for a period of one year, and the Plaintiff has resided in the State for a period of six months, in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6. The marriage should be dissolved absolutely.
Property and Debt Division
The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Plaintiff requests that this Court equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-20. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [8. Property and Debt Description]
Alimony
The parties are unable to agree on alimony. Plaintiff requests that the Court award alimony in an amount and for a duration that is equitable, considering the factors set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-16.3A. Relevant facts include: [9. Alimony Facts]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Judgment of Absolute Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts;
(c) award alimony as the Court deems just and equitable;
(d) restore Plaintiff's former name of [10. Former Name], if requested; and
(e) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [11. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [12. Execution Date] day of [13. Execution Month, Year], at [14. City and State of Execution].
Uncontested Divorce with Children SampleSee the agreement plus the parenting plan section in full.
Complaint for Absolute Divorce — Uncontested with Children
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE, DISTRICT COURT DIVISION, COUNTY OF [1. County]
File No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Absolute Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has resided in the State of North Carolina for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. The parties have lived separate and apart continuously for at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint.
There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].
Grounds for Divorce
The parties have lived separate and apart for a period of one year, and the Plaintiff has resided in the State for a period of six months, in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6. The marriage should be dissolved absolutely.
Custody and Parenting Plan
The parties have reached a full agreement regarding legal and physical custody of the minor child(ren), in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.2. The agreed parenting plan is as follows: [10. Parenting Plan Terms]
Child Support
The parties have reached an agreement on child support consistent with the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4). The agreed monthly child support amount is [11. Child Support Amount], payable by [12. Paying Parent] to [13. Receiving Parent]. Additional terms: [14. Child Support Additional Terms]
Medical and Childcare Expenses
Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be shared as follows: [15. Medical and Childcare Terms]
Property and Debt Division
The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the division of all marital property, assets, and debts. The terms of this division are as follows: [16. Property and Debt Division Terms]
Alimony
The parties have agreed that alimony shall be as follows: [17. Alimony Terms]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Judgment of Absolute Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' parenting plan regarding legal and physical custody of the minor child(ren);
(c) order child support in accordance with the parties' agreement and the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines;
(d) approve the parties' property and debt division;
(e) restore Plaintiff's former name of [18. Former Name], if requested; and
(f) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [19. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [20. Execution Date] day of [21. Execution Month, Year], at [22. City and State of Execution].
Contested Divorce with Children SampleSee how custody and parenting terms appear in the full document.
Complaint for Absolute Divorce — Contested with Children
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE, DISTRICT COURT DIVISION, COUNTY OF [1. County]
File No. [2. Case Number]
[3. Plaintiff Full Name], Plaintiff, vs. [4. Defendant Full Name], Defendant.
Comes now the Plaintiff, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], and files this Complaint for Absolute Divorce against the Defendant, [4. Defendant Full Name], and in support thereof respectfully states:
Jurisdiction and Residency
Plaintiff has resided in the State of North Carolina for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint, in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.
Marriage Information
The parties were lawfully married on [5. Date of Marriage] in [6. City and State of Marriage], and separated on [7. Date of Separation]. The parties have lived separate and apart continuously for at least one year immediately preceding the filing of this Complaint.
There are [8. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [9. Children Names and Birthdates].
Grounds for Divorce
The parties have lived separate and apart for a period of one year, and the Plaintiff has resided in the State for a period of six months, in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6. The marriage should be dissolved absolutely.
Custody and Parenting Plan
The parties are unable to agree on legal or physical custody of the minor child(ren). Plaintiff requests that the Court award custody and establish a parenting plan in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.2. Relevant facts include: [10. Custody Dispute Facts]
Child Support
The parties are unable to agree on child support. Plaintiff requests that the Court order child support in accordance with the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4). Relevant facts include: [11. Child Support Facts]
Medical, Dental, and Childcare Expenses
Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be allocated as follows, or as the Court determines equitable: [12. Medical and Childcare Terms]
Property and Debt Division
The parties are unable to agree on the division of their marital property, assets, and debts. Plaintiff requests that the Court equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-20. The relevant marital assets and liabilities include: [13. Property and Debt Description]
Alimony
The parties are unable to agree on alimony. Plaintiff requests that the Court award alimony as the Court deems just and equitable under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-16.3A. Relevant facts include: [14. Alimony Facts]
Request for Relief
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:
(a) enter a Judgment of Absolute Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) determine legal and physical custody and establish a parenting plan in the best interests of the minor child(ren);
(c) order child support in accordance with the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines;
(d) equitably divide the parties' marital property and debts;
(e) award alimony as the Court deems just and equitable;
(f) restore Plaintiff's former name of [15. Former Name], if requested; and
(g) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
Dated: [16. Date of Signing]
Verification
I, [3. Plaintiff Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Executed this [17. Execution Date] day of [18. Execution Month, Year], at [19. City and State of Execution].
Official formsAOC-CV-100 (Summons), AOC-CV-200 (Complaint), AOC-CV-750 (Cover Sheet), AOC-CV-710
Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.
Overview
Dissolution of marriage in North Carolina: the one-year-and-a-day rule
North Carolina runs on a single, unforgiving number: you must live separate and apart for one year and one day before you can file for absolute divorce. The “and one day” exists so the separation clearly spans two calendar years, and any brief reconciliation — even moving back in for a short time — restarts the clock from zero. It is the only no-fault route in the state, with no exception and no waiver.
Eligibility takes six months of North Carolina residency under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-8, and the marriage location does not matter. The complaint goes to the District Court, and the paperwork carries real form numbers: the AOC-CV-100 summons, the AOC-CV-200 complaint packet, the AOC-CV-750 civil cover sheet, and the AOC-CV-710 clerk judgment form.
The trap many people miss: claims for alimony and equitable distribution must be filed before the divorce judgment, or they are permanently waived. Child support follows the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4, and custody is decided on the best interests standard. The filing fee is $225, which includes the $75 absolute divorce fee.