What happens if my spouse does not respond to divorce papers?

What happens if my spouse does not respond to divorce papers?

No. Even if your spouse refuses to sign any documents, the court can grant a divorce order. But you must prove your spouse was served according to the rules.

What to do if you want a divorce but your spouse does not?

If you properly served the divorce petition and your spouse filed an uncontested response, but won’t sign off on the final divorce papers, courts in some states may allow the case to proceed as though it’s uncontested. You may wait to be assigned a court appearance date.

Is it legal to lock your spouse out of the house?

No, she legally may not lock you out of your matrimonial home. Neither spouse can lock the other out of the home they shared as spouses unless and only if there is a court order requiring it (e.g., a protective order barring you from the house), or after disposition of the home is determined in the divorce.

Can you change the locks on your house if your spouse moves out?

The simple answer to whether a party going through separation can change the locks on a property they are living in is usually “yes”. If there is no court order which affects that person’s right to occupy the property, then in most circumstances there is little prohibiting a party from changing the locks.