Response To Divorce FilingIs there a need for response to divorce filing or service? You bet there is, because if you don't respond, you spouse may receive a default divorce, and you will have to accept the divorce settlement as outlined in the original petition. How long you have to file a divorce response depends on which state you live in, but the time frame should be noted on the original petition. If you disagree to the provisions of the divorce petition, you will need to address those issues that you dispute. If you agree to the provisions as they are presented in the petition, you can file an Answer and Waiver to the Petition, and the divorce will proceed uncontested. If you still have questions about how to responding to a divorce petition, the following questions and answers can shed some more light on the subject:
How does a person respond to divorce papers? Sonia's Question: My husband filed divorce papers and I received them last week. What do I need to do now? Brette's Answer: You need to answer within the time frame allotted or you will be in default. You need to find out what papers your court requires you to file as an answer or response. 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). »Return to top How do I file and serve an answer? Katheryn's Question: I received my divorce papers today, and I don't understand what I need to do. What is a 'CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE ORDER" and how do we exchange financial statements? Also, how do I file and serve an answer? It also it states that the Petitioner shall obtain service of the Petition on the Respondent. Brette's Answer: You should get a lawyer who can help you take the next steps. A case management conference is basically a meeting to see if a settlement can be reached. Financial statements are affidavits which must be filed in every divorce. Your state will have a specific form that must be used. Ask your attorney or if you do not have one, call the court clerk. The form may be available on your state court web site. An answer is your response to the papers you received. Again, get the form from the clerk or online. Service just means that the person who filed the papers has proof you received them. »Return to top How long do I have to file a response? Nelda's Question: I paid an attorney to file for a change of venue because my husband filed for divorce in a country we have never lived in. It has been 3 months since the request was filed and nothing has been done. I did not respond to the original divorce paperwork as I was waiting on the change of venue to go through. A week ago I received default paperwork and I filed my response. What should I do about the status of the change of venue request? Secondly, how long do you have to file a response once a motion for default has been filed? Brette's Answer: Deadlines vary from state to state, so you need to consult the attorney you hired. It seems to me you ought to call the attorney who filed the change of venue paperwork and leave an URGENT message. It is his responsibility to get this straightened out. He needs to make sure the change of venue motion is heard. Failure to follow up on that is an ethical violation on his part. Good luck. What can I do if I'm running out of time to respond? Question: I am visually impaired and cannot read over documents. My husband had me served legal separation papers and then told me he thought they were meant for him. He kept them for several days before his paralegal friend told him they were actually my served copy and he should return them to me. He did and I had a trusted person read them to me. They talk about my having 20 days to contend them, but the time is almost up. I am in the process of getting a lawyer through a state program. My question is what exactly can I contend in those served documents? If I get a lawyer after the 20 days will I still be able to contend this document? Brette's Answer: It is much easier if you get a lawyer immediately and enter some kind of response before the time limit is up. You may have an argument as to when you really were served, but it's best not to chance it. If an attorney is not assigned to you quickly enough, have a friend go with you to the courthouse to fill out a generic response or to request a delay. Can I ask the court for more time to prepare? Stephanie's Question: I have been served with divorce papers. I have 2 days to submit a response and I am lost. Can I ask the courts for more time to prepare? If so, what form or letter do I submit to the courts? Brette's Answer: Every state has different forms and requirements. First look to see if there is an actual appearance scheduled in court. If so, you can simply go and appear that way. If not, you can check your state court system web site to see if there is a section about divorce that will provide forms or answer questions. If not, call your court clerk's office and ask them what you need to do to get a postponement, or if you need to file some kind of appearance regardless. »Return to top How do I withdraw my response and file a new one? Katie's Question: I am the respondent in my divorce case. I have already filed my response and request. How do I withdraw my response/request and file a new one? Brette's Answer: Talk to the court clerk's office. They can tell you what forms to file. Good luck. What happens after I file my response to the petition? Margie's Question: If I am responding to a petition for a divorce Pro Se, what will happen after I file my response? I can't afford a lawyer and my husband has one. I am not contesting the divorce, but assets and child custody. Brette's Answer: After you file it, you will likely have a court appearance where the judge will encourage some settlement talks. Discovery happens. If there is no settlement, you move toward a trial. What if I don't respond to the divorce petition? Kim's Question: I was served with divorce papers and have 20 days to respond. What happens if I don't respond? Also, will I receive a copy of the divorce if I don't respond? Brette's Answer: Do not fail to respond! If you don't respond or appear, the divorce will proceed as uncontested - which means you have no say in it. The judge will issue a decision based only on what your spouse says or proves. Once the divorce is finalized, your state law most likely requires that a copy of the decision be sent to you. » Return to top What happens after he fails to respond to the petition? Cristal's Question: My ex did not respond to the divorce papers. My question is, what happens after that 30 days? Do I have to contact the clerk for a court date? Or will a court date be mailed to me? Brette's Answer: The procedure is different in every state. If you are unsure, call the court clerk and ask. How can I push the divorce along if I didn't respond? Aubrey's Question: I was told by the county clerk that once the initial 30days passed, and I had not contested the papers, that the next step involved two more steps my soon-to-be ex still had to do. They also said that if he didn't follow up, eventually the case would stall and be dismissed for "no action." What can I do get the divorce over with? Brette's Answer: Since he filed the papers, he has to file the papers for the hearing. It's completely up to him. Since you did not respond, you are not a party to the case at this point and can do nothing. Do you need proof of who signed the papers? Kenya's Question: How do you know if your husband was the one who actually signed the papers if you just have the papers sent to his house? Brette's Answer: Usually these types of papers need to be notarized and a notary requires proof of identity. If notarization is not required, I would assume you might recognize your husband's signature. And secondly, if papers are sent to him and are signed and returned, you would assume it was his signature unless you had some reason to believe otherwise. If he didn't sign them, it would be up to him to prove he did not. » Return to top What if he doesn't sign the divorce petition? Dorothy's Question: What is the next step after you serve your husband with divorce papers? He only has a few days to sign the papers, but he has already told me he isn't going to sign them. I'd like to know what the next step is? Brette's Answer: You have a court appearance and if he is a no show, then the case proceeds from there as uncontested. » Return to top What is the response to divorce filing if I live outside the US? Jenny's Question: My husband and I reached an agreement about child custody, support, and alimony before I moved overseas. After the move, we agreed to get a divorce, which his lawyer is handling. The paperwork that my husband sent me includes a Waiver of Service of Summons, Complaint, and some attachments. His lawyer says that the case can't begin until I sign the waiver of service form, but I'm reluctant because the Complaint is totally different from our original agreement. I feel like my husband and his lawyer both have lied to me. Should I sign it, and if I do, what will happen? Brette's Answer: You need to find a lawyer in the States who can review the documents for you. Contact the bar association in the state the divorce will be filed in and ask for a referral. You can conduct your business via phone, email and mail with the attorney, but you will need to pay a retainer fee. No one can advise you without seeing the actual papers and reading exactly what they say. I would recommend that you not sign anything until you can consult with an attorney hired to represent your best interests. Good luck. » Return to top What if he disappears after filing his response? Jo Anne's Question: Neither party is contesting the divorce but my soon-to-be-ex is stupid and filed the response papers looking like he is contesting the divorce. He thinks he is divorced and is planning to remarry soon. I can't located him because he moved to another state. How do I get a divorce after he has filed the paper and has disappeared? Brette's Answer: The court will schedule dates, he won't appear, and eventually the case will move on without him. How long do I have to wait for my divorce to be final after I respond? Jackie's Question: I have been served with an action for divorce. I responded, and have not heard anything since. How long do I have to wait for my divorce to be final? Brette's Answer: Call the court clerk and ask where in the process it is and when it might be finalized. » Return to top What if the petition doesn't include both his former and current name? Beth's Question: My husband had a name change because he became a U.S. citizen, but still has his original name on the assets. His petition only states his current name. How do I address this in the response and how much will it affect the issues? Brette's Answer: You simply ask that the court include assets under his current and former name in the proceeding. It shouldn't be a big deal.
Related Articles: Brette Sember is a former family and matrimonial attorney and mediator, nationally recognized expert, and author of many books including The Divorce Organizer & Planner, No-Fight Divorce, and How To Parent With Your Ex. This column provides general information about the various aspects of divorce. It is not intended to take the place of legal counsel and should not be considered personal legal advice. For specific recommendations concerning your situation, please retain experienced legal counsel. WomansDivorce.com and Brette Sember disclaim any liability from any claim arising from any information contained in this column. This column is not a substitute for legal advice. Divorce Process / Children and Divorce/ Emotions and Divorce Home / Divorce Guide / State Resources
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