What Happens in the Beginning of a Divorce?

Have you recently decided to get a divorce? If so, it is important to understand what you will need to do in order to terminate your marriage in your state. If you are the person filing for divorce, you will be referred to legally as the "petitioner." It is your duty to file the divorce documents in the appropriate court in your state. Once this has been done, you or your attorney must ensure that your spouse, the "defendant" or "respondent," receives the papers. Your spouse will then be given a certain period of time in which to respond to the divorce papers.

In the answer provided by your spouse, he/she must state that the divorce papers have been received and understood. He/she then may accept the divorce and move ahead with the proceedings, or fight the divorce filing. If the divorce itself is accepted, your spouse may reject specific portions of the filing such as alimony, child support and child custody. When going through a divorce or related matter, it is advised that you hire a family lawyer in your city that can provide you with support, resources and representation.