What to Do if You Receive Divorce Papers

For some people, getting served with divorce papers comes as a complete surprise. Whether or not you were expecting a divorce, it is important to know which steps to take to protect your rights and best interests as you move forward.

Below is a quick overview of those steps:

• Read them carefully: It is crucial that you read the papers thoroughly when you receive them, as they will contain important information regarding the divorce and your responsibilities. The papers will also tell you where the divorce action was filed, the deadlines for your response, whether your spouse has retained an attorney and any requests your spouse has submitted.
• Respond promptly: You will have a certain number of days to submit a response. Be sure to do so within the time allotted. You can do so through your attorney.
• Work with an attorney: If you have not done so already, consult an attorney to represent you in your case. The sooner you can retain legal counsel, the better off you will be. Find a lawyer with experience and competence to represent you.
• Protect your assets: Your attorney will advise you of the steps to take to protect your assets. There are some cases in which spouses will attempt to remove money from joint accounts or rack up large amounts of debt on credit cards. It’s important to prevent this from happening.
• Strategize your communications: Make sure all your communications are kept private and that you have a plan for how you will communicate with your spouse and his or her legal team during the divorce.

For further guidance on responding to divorce papers, meet with a dedicated Long Island family law attorney at Bryan L. Salamone & Associates.