4 Crucial Things To Do After Receiving The Divorce Papers
by Kenneth Pierce
Divorce brings about massive changes to your life. As such, you want to discuss it with your partner before deciding whether it is the best idea for you and how to proceed. However, this does not always happen, and your spouse can serve you with the papers without any prior warning. You might feel frightened or confused about your next steps when this happens. Here are some guidelines on how to proceed after you receive the papers.
Read the Papers Carefully
Start by reading the papers to understand the other party's demands. Typically, the documents will have information about the reason behind the petition and the court where they filed it. The papers could also contain information on the alleged grounds for the divorce. Take time and carefully read the information contained in the documents. Do not take any action before you understand the information in the papers.
Give a Response
You should contact a family or divorce lawyer immediately after you get the papers. First, they will help you assess them and understand what your partner is alleging. Once you know what they want, they will help you formulate the best response to give your partner. Be careful when responding because it will set the pace for the rest of the process. Also, remember that you might have a deadline within which you should respond. If you cannot respond to the claim within that time, your spouse might take additional legal action to get you to acknowledge that you received the papers.
Hire the Lawyer
You can get preliminary consultations for the first steps of the legal process. However, it is best to get a divorce lawyer once you get engaged in the legal process. If your partner has already hired a lawyer, you should get one too to handle their demands. It is the best way to ensure you represent all your interests in the process. The lawyer will ensure that property division and child custody work out in your favor.
Protect Your Assets
Remember, you must protect your assets against practices that could ruin them. If you have a joint account where you deposit your income, consider getting a separate account. These simple steps will protect you from unnecessary losses.
You can follow these guidelines for the best outcome when handling a divorce. The lawyer will guide you and ensure none of your interests get compromised in the process. They will also pursue a quick settlement so you can move on with your life.
Share
About Me
As the sister of a law student, I thought that I could handle my own personal injury case when I was hit by a vehicle as I was walking across the street. Luckily, the car wasn't going very fast – but I did end up with a contusion and a broken leg. Turns out the process wasn't easy and I ended up hiring a lawyer. I learned a lot about the kind of information needed to win a personal injury case such as the kind of evidence that is effective and the types of documentation needed from the insurance company, employers, and even witnesses that were at the scene. My name is Rebecca, and I created this website to help guide you through your personal injury case. There is no reason for you to feel alone throughout the process, and I hope my insight helps you feel more empowered with your decision making.
Latest Posts
-
Signs You Need an Estate Planning Lawyer 12 March 2024
-
The Benefits of Hiring an Auto Accident Lawyer 26 January 2024
-
The Importance of Considering a Personal Injury Attorney 30 November 2023