Filing divorce Petition is a step within Texas Divorce - Step by Step. A divorce petition is a paper one spouse fills out to start the process of ending a marriage. It lists reasons for the divorce and asks the court to make it official. It talks about both spouses, any kids, and things like money and property. However, it's just the beginning, and what's in the petition isn't final. It's more of a starting point for discussing what each party wants at a high level.