Has your spouse just served you with divorce papers? Are you wondering what you need to do next? Many people think that if they ignore the petition, the divorce will go away and they can move on with their life. However, courts require a prompt response from those who have been presented with divorce papers.
Failing to respond can leave you at a major disadvantage in your divorce case. If you don’t respond to the petition within 30 days, the court can award your spouse everything they are seeking in their complaint. This includes things like:
- Child Support
- Spousal Support
- Property Division
- Child Custody
- Attorney’s Fees
The spouse seeking the divorce can ask for a number of things from the court, and if you never respond to the divorce petition, the judge can rule that you are in default. This means you will be forced to adhere to all of the terms in the court order, even if you never appeared in court.
Divorce is a serious legal matter, which means you need to take the necessary steps to protect your rights and interests. If you have received divorce papers, the first thing you should do is consult with an experienced attorney to learn about your rights under the law.
What Do I Include in the Answer?
Your response to the divorce petition is called an “Answer.” In the Answer, you will either admit or deny each of the allegations made in the Complaint. You can also include a Counterclaim, to seek your own relief from the court.
Have More Questions? Call (410) 593-0040.
Do you need help with your divorce case? If so, you should get in touch with our legal team to find out how we can help you secure a fair case result. At the Law Office of Nicholas T. Exarhakis, we provide our clients with the personalized legal solutions and attention that they need to get through their divorce. We can review the details of your case and build a strong legal strategy that will protect your rights and interests. Let us get to work for you today.
Contact an Annapolis divorce lawyer to schedule your free consultation.