Even if you were anticipating being served with divorce papers and think you know what they say, you must examine them thoroughly and immediately. The Application will detail the reasons your spouse is asking for a divorce and also additional topics including child custody, child support, property division, spousal support, and sometimes, legal protections such as a restraining order.

It’s critical that you read and understand the contents of the papers you receive. The decisions you make at the onset of the divorce process may have far-reaching effects; you don’t want to make a wrong move or make a move that’s too late.

Helping you help yourself,

Myth: If both spouses are employed outside of the home, the courts won’t order spousal support.

Truth: It’s true that courts are more likely to order spousal support in cases where one spouse didn’t work outside of the home. But spousal support is also regularly awarded even when both spouses maintained economic independence. Some factors that a court is likely to consider include: how great the difference is between the income of the spouses; how long the relationship lasted; and the best way to make sure that both spouses become financially independent in the shortest period of time.

Helping you help yourself,

If your spouse begins a divorce proceeding, your spouse is called the “Applicant” and you’re the “Respondent.” (If you begin the proceeding, your would be the Applicant). The Applicant “serves” the Respondent (hands you) two documents: an Application and, if there are financial issues, a Financial Statement.

Helping you help yourself,