Dissolution / Divorce

This is an action that can be filed by a married person to terminate the marital relationship between a husband and wife. In addition to restoring the parties to singe status, the Court may issue orders for custody and visitation of the minor children of the marriage, child support, spousal support (alimony), and confirm or divide community property and separate property assets and debts.

When an action is filed by the petitioner, the other party (respondent) must be personally served with required pleadings. If the respondent fails to Respondent fails to file responsive pleadings within thirty (30) days of service, the petitioner may request entry of default. Once the default is entered, the petitioner can complete the divorce proceedings without the participation of the respondent. If the respondent files the required responsive pleadings, the case will proceed as either a contested or uncontested matter.

The case is considered contested if the parties are unable to agree on certain issues, and thus these issues must be resolved by the Court. The case is considered uncontested if the parties are able to cooperate and agree on all of the issues without Court intervention, and the matter can be concluded by submitting the required signed papers for the Court’s approval.