How to File an Answer to a Divorce Summons
By A.K. Jayne
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When you receive a Summons and Complaint in a divorce action, you typically have 20 days in which to respond. Your response to the Summons is known as an Answer. If you have hired an attorney to represent you, she can prepare and file the Answer with information that you provide her. You can file the Answer on your own if you are not being represented by a lawyer in your divorce. Specific rules may vary by state, and the process can differ somewhat if you and your spouse have minor children.
Contact your county's family court to obtain copies of the response forms. Some courts have the forms available on the Internet for you to print out, or you can visit the court in person to pick up the forms.
Answer the claims made in the Plaintiff's Complaint. For each item, note if you "admit" to or "deny" the claim. The Vermont Judiciary explains that if you deny a claim, you would then "write what you believe to be true" in your answer. Include the case number from the Summons and Complaint on this and all documents you file with the court.
Include information about custody and child support if you have minor children. If you want sole custody of your children, you will need to provide a breakdown of parenting time. This is a detailed explanation of when you want the non-custodial parent to have visitation with the children. If you think you should get child support, state this in your answer. The amount of support awarded by the court is usually determined based on the income of both parties.
Deliver the papers to the court clerk for filing. Bring at least three copies of the answer with you. The clerk will stamp the copies as filed. The court will take one copy for its file. Keep one copy for your records. If your spouse has hired an attorney, send a copy to the attorney. If your spouse does not have an attorney, send a copy to your spouse with a return receipt. Alternatively, you can have a sheriff or process server personally serve the answer on your spouse if they do not have an attorney.
Warnings
Failure to respond can result in a default judgment against you whereby you would lose the opportunity to make your needs clear on issues like property division and child custody.
References
- Vermont Judiciary: Answering the Divorce Complaint and Preparing Your Own Complaint
- Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County: How to Respond to Divorce Papers for a Non-Covenant Marriage, Without Minor Children
- Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County: Divorce With Minor Children - For Respondent Only
Writer Bio
A.K. Jayne has written and edited print and online content since 2006. In addition, she has legal assistant/paralegal experience in areas including wills and trusts and family law. Her articles have appeared in the "Philadelphia Inquirer," "New Jersey Record" and "Burlington County Times." Jayne completed an Associated Press internship and is an alumna of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.