What is it called when you file for divorce?
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What is it called when you file for divorce?
The divorce petition is a legal document filed in court by a spouse who seeks a divorce. Also called the “complaint” in some states, the petition informs the court of the filing spouse’s (called the “petitioner”) desire to end the marriage, and its filing with the court signifies the initiation of the divorce process.
What happens if a spouse doesn’t reply 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.
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.
Why divorce is so difficult?
However, I would say that the number one reason why the divorce process is so difficult, no matter how long the marriage was, or how many assets have to be divided, is the simple truth that it’s hard to separate out the emotions of the marriage and relationship from the business of getting divorced.
