When you get served by someone from the family court with divorce papers , and you sign the piece of paper he asks you to sign, does that mean you are just acknowledging that you have received it? or signing that you agree to the divorce that if you dont reply to the 20 day dealine, the divorce goes through?
2007-01-09 22:04:20 · 11 answers · asked by Lost 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Never sign anything you don't understand. Typicaly you would be siging a reciept of the papers. You did not likely agree to a divorce. Call a good family law lawyer. Spend money, a good divorce settlement is worth the money you will spend.
2007-01-09 22:08:48 · answer #1 · answered by cabriojazz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am not sure what you signed since I can't see it. If you are talking about the Process Service Memorandum or the Motion for Service then that is what it means.... just that you acknowledged that you have been served. However, I don't know what you have signed. Read your papers very clearly, divorce is a serious business. If you don't reply to the courts in writing in 20 days you will be in default. If you have any doubts whatsoever consult an attorney or legal aid.
L.
2007-01-10 05:26:52 · answer #2 · answered by tink3610 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That paper you signed is an acknowledgement of receiving them. If you don't respond by the deadline, the judge can enter a default judgment of divorce. The 20 day rule just gives you the chance to say, or ask for, something that isn't already in the papers.
2007-01-09 22:21:59 · answer #3 · answered by grandm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Signing upon receipt of the papers, just means you have received. Now you MUST answer by the deadline, if you don't the divorce will be granted and the party that filed those papers will get everything they asked for in the divorce papers and can ask for alot more if you don't answer, and get it handed to them by the court.
Best to get an attorney and file an answer or you'll lose by default.
Divorce is a serious matter. Lot's of people have failed to answer divorce papers and have been totally screwed, because once they are in court, the filing party can ask for just about anything and the judge usually grants their request.
I am not an attorney, but i have a para-legal degree, and i worked on over 400 divorce cases involving people in jail, prison, or those who just don't have the funds to hire an attorney to prepare the paperwork and file answers for them.
2007-01-09 22:15:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means you are signing for the papers.. You have 20 days to respond to the divorce papers...IF you don't it will go through but it takes 3-12 months depending on what state you live in...
Just be sure to reply to the papers before 20 days!
2007-01-09 22:22:42 · answer #5 · answered by Mommadog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an acknowledgement that you've been officially served. Signing the paper is proof to the court that you have been served. NOW, You must retain an attorney and respond to this matter. You'll have to pay response fee to the court and a retainer to an attorney.
I would not let this divorce continue without legal counsel! You don't want to go to court and represent yourself PRO SE (without counsel)----if you do you could be screwed over ----
You can retain and attorney to protect your interests....and have him/her review any and all documents and hopefully come to a reasonable agreement with your future X without running up huge legal fees.
2007-01-09 22:37:01 · answer #6 · answered by aunt_beeaa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both. If there is anything in the divorce papers you do not agree with you need to "answer" within the 20 days or the divorce is marked as "uncontested" and is granted.
You can answer them yourself, there is free state and county specific help on the Internet (google it) or hire an attorney or paralegal to help you.
2007-01-09 22:55:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The paper is just to say yes you got it
but if you don't do anything in the time limit it will go to court with out you and they will do 2 things
1 give an extension to try and find you or
2 go to the next step and be put in front of the judge for finalization
2007-01-09 22:10:27 · answer #8 · answered by elite_women_rule_the_rock 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
need more info .... what state do you live in? is there a separation agreement in-place already? do you have an attorney?
From what you said it sounds more like an acknowledgement more than anything else....
oh my it would be so nice if divorces went through in 20 days, mine took about $25,000 and 3 years
2007-01-09 22:14:18 · answer #9 · answered by wjk31092 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Be cautious when served with papers of any kind. Seek professional legal advice. Also check out http://www.findlaw.com to answer your basic questions.
2007-01-09 22:09:25 · answer #10 · answered by Phillip 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋