The Eight Step Divorce
The Eight-Step-Divorce is a quick synopsis of the typical divorce procedure.
While divorce is rarely a cut and dry process, below is a list of the basic steps that every divorcing spouse should know.
Whether you decide to represent yourself or hire an attorney, it is important that you know what is going on at all stages of your divorce.
The general procedure for dissolution of marriage is to begin the divorce paperwork.
This entails: 1.
Completing a Summons and Petition 2.
Serving the Summons and Petition and a Blank Response on your spouse (Your spouse will have 30 days to file a Response) 3.
Both parties may then be required to file Disclosure Declarations (Disclosing your income, expenses, assets and debts to your spouse) 4.
You or your spouse may ask for a hearing so that a judge can decide any temporary child custody, visitation, support, requests for attorney fees or restraining order disputes.
Such hearings are called Order to Show Cause hearings 5.
If you and your spouse reach any agreements you may not be required to appear in court.
A judgment based on your agreement may be filed with the court.
6.
If no agreement is reached there will be a trial so that the judge determines the issues involved in your divorce.
7.
If a spouse who has been properly served with a Summons and Petition does not file a Response, a Default Judgment may be entered against that spouse.
The moving party (the spouse who first completed and served the Summons and Petition) will have to request the Default Judgment.
8.
A Judgment granting the divorce can be entered by the judge at any time, however, you will not be divorced until six months after your spouse was served with the Petition.
Divorce help is available to assist you with completing any legal documents you may have.
Your local county superior court has many resources for self-representation as well as lawyer referral services.
Help in completing legal documents may also be obtained from R.
E.
A.
D.
I.
Legal & Document Assistants, LLC, a document preparation assistance company readilegal.
com.
While divorce is rarely a cut and dry process, below is a list of the basic steps that every divorcing spouse should know.
Whether you decide to represent yourself or hire an attorney, it is important that you know what is going on at all stages of your divorce.
The general procedure for dissolution of marriage is to begin the divorce paperwork.
This entails: 1.
Completing a Summons and Petition 2.
Serving the Summons and Petition and a Blank Response on your spouse (Your spouse will have 30 days to file a Response) 3.
Both parties may then be required to file Disclosure Declarations (Disclosing your income, expenses, assets and debts to your spouse) 4.
You or your spouse may ask for a hearing so that a judge can decide any temporary child custody, visitation, support, requests for attorney fees or restraining order disputes.
Such hearings are called Order to Show Cause hearings 5.
If you and your spouse reach any agreements you may not be required to appear in court.
A judgment based on your agreement may be filed with the court.
6.
If no agreement is reached there will be a trial so that the judge determines the issues involved in your divorce.
7.
If a spouse who has been properly served with a Summons and Petition does not file a Response, a Default Judgment may be entered against that spouse.
The moving party (the spouse who first completed and served the Summons and Petition) will have to request the Default Judgment.
8.
A Judgment granting the divorce can be entered by the judge at any time, however, you will not be divorced until six months after your spouse was served with the Petition.
Divorce help is available to assist you with completing any legal documents you may have.
Your local county superior court has many resources for self-representation as well as lawyer referral services.
Help in completing legal documents may also be obtained from R.
E.
A.
D.
I.
Legal & Document Assistants, LLC, a document preparation assistance company readilegal.
com.
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