How do I respond to a divorce petition without a lawyer?
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How do I respond to a divorce petition without a lawyer?
Check the state court web site or go to the county clerk’s office and ask for the form and what to expect if you don’t have an attorney. You should be able to simply answer and deny or contest what he has asked for without adding details. You can make also make requests of your own (counterclaims).
What happens if I do not respond to a divorce petition?
The responding spouse needs to file an answer with the court within the deadline. When a spouse doesn’t respond to a divorce petition, the person who failed to file the answer to the court will lose his or her rights to make arguments about property division, support, and child custody.
What happens if you serve someone and they don’t respond?
If you do not respond to a civil summons, the court can grant the other party judgment against you in the underlying case. This means the other side will automatically win. Failing to honor a criminal summons, by contrast, could lead to your arrest and even time in jail.
How long do you have to respond to a divorce?
28 days
How is a divorce petition served?
Your spouse must be personally served with a copy of the documents. This means someone neutral and not involved in your case must hand-deliver the documents to the defendant in person. Your spouse can be served anywhere – at home, at work, etc.
Does it matter who is the petitioner in a divorce?
The spouse who files for divorce (the petitioner) also pays the court fees. Commonly, the petitioner is the spouse with the higher income and so can afford the fees more easily. Being the person who filed for divorce, the petitioner is often more keen to pay the fees to help the divorce go through uninterrupted.
What can I ask for in a divorce settlement?
Considerations to Make About What to Ask for in a Divorce SettlementMarital Home. Life Insurance and Health Insurance Policies. Division of Debt. Private School Tuition and College Tuition. Family Heirlooms and Jewelry. Parenting Time. Retirement Funds.
