What happens if I do not respond to a divorce petition?

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.

How long is a divorce petition valid?

Divorce papers that have not been filed do not expire (whereas if a marital settlement agreement that has been filed but not ratified will be dismissed by the court for lack of record activity in 1 year). When you say you signed a petition I assume you also mean a marital settlement agreement.

How do I file an answer to a divorce petition?

How to File a Written Answer to a Divorce PetitionVerify the requirements and deadlines for filing your written response. Each state’s laws dictate the form and deadlines for written answers to divorce petitions. Review the divorce petition carefully. Prepare and sign your written answer. File your response with the court before the deadline.

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 are the three types of divorce?

The Different Kinds of DivorceSummary Divorce. Uncontested Divorce. Default Divorce. Fault and No-Fault Divorce. Mediated Divorce. Collaborative Divorce. Arbitration. Contested Divorce.

Do both sides have to agree to a divorce?

Generally, the divorce papers do not need signatures from both parties to move forward. There is little need to ensure that the other spouse is in agreement to end the marriage legally. However, if both spouses are amenable to the process, it can permit both to progress through the divorce amicably.

What can I expect at my first divorce hearing?

At the Divorce hearing, the Court will only consider whether your divorce should be granted. The Court will not care why you are getting divorced, nor will they consider any parenting, property settlement, spousal maintenance, child support or other issues.