Divorce & Family Law Services

Petition / Response

 All family law matters start with the filing of a Petition, and all Petitions must be responded to by filing a Response.

Whether you are petitioning for a Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) or to Establish Parental Relationship (Paternity) or Custody or Support, a Petition must be filed with the Court and Served upon the other party before the Court has the power to act on a family law issue.   

Petitions provides the Court with Teeth

A filed and served Petition gives the Court jurisdiction over a matter, person or property and empowers it with the authority to make and enforce family law Orders and Laws. Without Jurisdiction a Court is limited in its ability to protect you, your family, or your property. 

After you have been properly served a Petition, you have about 30 days to Respond.  

If you fail to Respond within 30 days, you risk the matter concluding through a Default Judgment (i.e. You Lose).  Parties with no assets, no children, and are not at risk of paying support may consider the Default Judgment a viable course of action in concluding your divorce.  If you have assets, children, or rights to protect, however, it may be wise to Respond to the Petition and resolve your marital issues under the guidance of the Court.           

Disclosures

We help our clients navigate the complex legal issues surrounding child custody, including visitation rights, child support, and custody modifications.

Disclosures

We help our clients navigate the complex legal issues surrounding child custody, including visitation rights, child support, and custody modifications.

Our attorneys help clients with alimony and spousal support issues, including negotiating and modifying support agreements.

We assist clients with paternity disputes, including establishing paternity, contesting paternity, and child support matters.

We help our clients navigate the complex legal issues surrounding property division, including asset valuation and division, debt allocation, and equitable distribution.

We offer alternative dispute resolution services, such as mediation and collaborative law, to help clients resolve family law issues outside of court.

Our experienced divorce attorneys handle all aspects of divorce proceedings, including property division, spousal support, and child custody.