There are usually two types of reactions when people get served with divorce papers– they either had been expecting it for a long time, or they are genuinely surprised and shocked. Whether you had been expecting them or found yourself shocked, your next steps determine the outcome of your divorce.
If you have received divorce papers from your spouse, you must first hire a Newton divorce attorney. It is important to take the next steps by carefully analyzing the pros and cons. One wrong word can result in an unfavorable outcome. You should also not speak to the other party’s attorney or represent yourself without an attorney.
Steps to take when served with divorce papers
- Respond to the divorce papers and make a counterclaim.
Regardless of your feelings when you receive the divorce papers, you must respond to them and make a counterclaim. Responding is important because you must notify the other party and the court that you want to be involved in the process. Your attorney can help draft the papers and submit them before the deadline.
If you miss the court deadline to respond to the divorce papers, you may be able to submit a late response by paying a late fee.
- Gather documents.
Once you have submitted a response, you must get hold of the documents you will need during the divorce process. Some basic documents a spouse may need to gather include birth certificates, marriage certificates, social security cards, etc. You should also get hold of your financial documents, such as the last three years of tax returns, credit card statements, bank statements, etc.
- Exchange information and swap documents.
Once you have all the documents you need, it is time to exchange information with your spouse. During the discovery process, You may be surprised that your spouse is trying to hide assets, but it is quite common nowadays. If you suspect your spouse is hiding, your attorney can help reveal the truth. When you request information and documents from your spouse during the divorce, they are legally obligated to produce them. They can be legally punished if they do not or if they try to hide assets.
- Protect communications.
Remember that your attorney will communicate with you through email and other platforms. Make sure that your spouse does not have access to your emails and messages, or the strategic plans made by you and your attorney may be revealed to them. Communicating through physical letters rather than online emails can be helpful.
