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What Should I Do if I’ve Been Served With Divorce Papers? Roswell, GA
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What Should I Do if I’ve Been Served With Divorce Papers?

If you’ve been served with divorce papers, you may not know what you have to do next. Being served divorce papers, or filing and serving them upon your spouse, marks the beginning of a divorce case in Georgia. Once you have been served, you must take action soon in order to preserve your rights in the divorce. If you fail to take action in a timely manner, you may lose your rights to have a say in the divorce. It is advised you consult with an experienced Georgia family law attorney if you’ve been served and don’t know how to proceed. The divorce process can be complex and requires a lot of effort on your part, as the respondent.

As a respondent, you need to respond to the divorce papers, typically including a petition and summons, your spouse served you or your divorce may become uncontested by default. This means that you may no longer have a say in the particulars of the divorce, such as custody and the division of assets. After consulting with an experienced family law attorney, you will either need to agree to what your spouse proposes, sign the papers, and return them, or, start drafting your response. You have 30 days from the date you were served in which to file your response. If you do not file a response by that date, the divorce could go into default and the judge can grant the divorce without your say being considered. Your response should answer any questions required of you, include any counterclaims you are making, and must be signed in front of a notary before being copied, filed, and served upon your spouse.

After you’ve filed your response, you will wait for your spouse, the petitioner, to take further action. You may have to attend a hearing or submit documentation to support your counterclaims. Contested divorces can be incredibly complex and may require the assistance of a skilled family law attorney. It is important to speak with an attorney before filing a response to ensure you have the best chance at having your requests granted. A hastily drafted response may not get you the outcome you deserve.

If you have been served with divorce papers, our skilled attorneys are here to help.Thomas C. Rowsey, P.C. will work hard to protect your rights and ensure you take all the right steps in your divorce. Based in historic Roswell, GA, Thomas C. Rowsey Attorneys at Law serves those across the greater Atlanta metropolitan area including Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, Milton, Johns Creek, Cumming and Sandy Springs. Contact our office today at (770) 993-5317 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation. Offering expert legal counsel in personal injury, criminal defense and family law, Thomas C. Rowsey Attorneys at Law are here to help.

Posted on behalf of Rowsey & Stelter, Attorneys at Law

295 W Crossville Road,
Building 100, Suite 110,
Roswell, GA 30075

Phone: (770) 993-5317

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday Closed

Our Client Reviews

Rowsey & Stelter, Attorneys at Law

4.4 / 5.0

Based on 7 reviews

Chris Smith

Tom did an excellent job setting up my LLC for my new business recently. I was in a situation where I needed the LLC formed quickly and Tom and his team were able to work on a very short deadline. Highly recommended!

GAAW Wright

Tom has been our attorney for many years. He has been with us through thick and thin. He has successfully handled all our queries and cases with patience and understanding. We highly recommend Tom!

Corey Rennolds

At all times for the duration of my case, Tom demonstrated professionalism, confidence, and honesty. At no point was I pressured to make any one decision over another, but Tom did his best to inform me about the consequences and benefits of all of my options. If he did not know some specific detail regarding my case, he made the effort to find out. Tom instantly exudes trustworthiness and was always in steady contact. I would recommend his services to anyone.

Justina Allen

I met Tom over 10 years ago after settling in Roswell with my family. I have learned over the years that Tom is a man of high integrity, genuine and extremely knowledgeable in his field. Along with being honest, he is a straight shooter and will let you know where you stand. He will provide you with personal attention you don’t get at bigger firms and will go the extra mile. As legal matters can be frightening to deal with, Tom will guide you through the process and get you the results you need.

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Rowsey & Stelter, Attorneys at Law

Contact Us Today!

295 W Crossville Road,
Building 100, Suite 110,
Roswell, GA 30075

(770) 993-5317

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday Closed