If your spouse had you formally served with the divorce petition, you absolutely must file an Answer if you want to protect your rights. If you do not, it is very likely the judge will enter a default judgment against you. This happened in a recent Appeals Court case where a husband failed to file his Answer within the required court deadline and was then the victim of a default judgment. He was hoping for reconciliation and did not respect the seriousness of the divorce lawsuit. After the divorce court entered the default judgment he decided to take things seriously and requested a new trial. The result – request denied and the default judgment stands.

Let this be a lesson for everyone out there. Divorce is confusing, difficult, and overwhelming. It is also a lawsuit in which you must act to protect yourself or you risk losing a lot. Contact a Woodlands Divorce Lawyer today at (832) 592-7913 if you have been served with a divorce petition and need to protect your rights. Hope is not a strategy.

What can you do?

You can do nothing. If you choose that path, then your spouse’s attorney can and probably will file for a default judgment against you as soon as possible. When you do nothing, the divorce court judge will enter a judgment concerning custody, child support, and division of property without ever hearing your side. It is very likely that your spouse will receive everything they ask for if you allow a default judgment to be entered against you.

Rather than do nothing, many people choose to hire a divorce attorney. Your Montgomery County Divorce Attorney can make sure your Answer is filed properly and on time. In addition to handling the Answer to the divorce complaint, your divorce attorney can protect your rights through the temporary orders and the discovery process to make sure you receive everything you are entitled to.

The Woodlands Divorce Resource is here to help you with your divorce, child custody, or other family law issue in Montgomery County or Harris County. Many of our visitors come from the areas of Conroe, Oak Ridge North, Cut and Shoot, and other communities in the Montgomery County area or Houston. If you need legal assistance with your family law issue speak with a The Woodlands Divorce Attorney today.