Divorce is something few spouses ever imagine will happen, which is why when the day comes when a spouse is served divorce papers, he or she is often caught off-guard. Of course, being served divorce papers can be a shocking experience, and can often make a person freeze up. That said, if you’ve been served divorce papers, there are several things you need to do. Please continue reading and reach out to a competent Los Angeles divorce attorney from Zitser Family Law Group, APC today to learn more about what to do after being served papers.
What should I do if my spouse served me divorce papers?
If you were recently served papers, you should take several steps. They are as follows:
- Read the divorce papers from top to bottom. The information in these papers is critical, and you must fully understand all of it. Typically, you’ll have to respond to these papers within a certain period of time. If you wait too long to respond or simply rip them up and throw them away, you’ll likely have a default divorce, meaning the court will decide virtually everything in your spouse’s favor. Additionally, you’ll typically have to serve a copy of your response to your spouse.
- Speak with a competent family law attorney. Our firm has significant experience representing spouses who’ve been served papers and we are prepared to put that experience to work for you. We can help assess each of your options. For example, in some cases, we may determine that it’s best to mediate your divorce and work out a compromise with your spouse. In other cases, if you can’t agree or compromise on divorce terms, we’ll have to litigate your divorce. When this happens, you’ll be thankful you were proactive and retained a skilled attorney who can fight for the outcome you need.
- Get a support system of trustworthy people. Divorce is an emotional process. Often, when people go through a divorce, they find themselves overwhelmed. Having a support system, such as close friends, relatives, or a therapist can help you sort out your feelings and maintain a clear head. Having a clear head can enable you to focus on the business aspect of your divorce and ultimately serve your own best interests. Don’t use social media as a support system–courts look down on those who post about their ex or their divorce on social media, and you can bet that anything you post can, and will, be used against you in court.
Contact our experienced Los Angeles firm
For the qualified, dedicated legal representation you and your family deserve and need through any family law or divorce matter, contact Zitser Family Law Group, APC today.
