The Response

Likewise, if you are the Respondent filing a response, consider also filing a “counter-petition” to address any issues that your spouse may have failed to mention. Also, you do not need to follow the traditional “admit or deny” format for each paragraph of the Petition. You can instead “plead affirmatively” and tell the court what you want. This allows your Response to be understood without having the Petition read side by side. A respondent cannot ask for a default judgment on an initial divorce filing.

Contributing Attorney Writer: Billie Tarascio litigates family law and domestic violence cases at Modern Law.

Resources

Response Forms for Divorce with Children

Response Forms for a Divorce without Children