Even if you know what is on the horizon, receiving divorce papers is a stressful experience. Trying to dodge the process server wastes time and effort, especially since the divorce can take place even if you do not participate. Now that the situation is real, not hypothetical, you may have questions about what comes next. Prepare for what is to come by reading through the documents. They contain pertinent details of the requested settlement.
According to Same Day Process, you typically have a specific response time, so pay close attention to the dates. You can choose not to respond, but this does not stop the proceedings. It merely conveys to the court you do not want any involvement going forward. If there is a temporary custody order in the documents, your soon-to-be-ex may take your children until the hearing if you fail to respond.
If the split is amicable, you have no questions and do not feel the need to make additions or changes, you may respond with “no contest,” and the court will move forward with your agreement. If you disagree with the divorce stipulations noted in the documentation, you may decide to seek counsel. However, the judge may request a meeting with you and your spouse and determine if you can settle the dispute amicably. This is also less expensive than a court case.
Additional steps include gathering the documentation necessary for evaluating the settlement and creating a parenting plan. Depending on the ages of your kids, a court representative may interview them. Friends and family may also receive requests for their perspective on the situation. Visit our webpage for more information on this topic.
