WHAT FORMS NEED TO BE SENT TO COURT IN RESPONSE TO A DIVORCE SUMMONS?

QUESTION: My wife and I were married 3 months before we separated. We have no combined assets or debt, no children, and never shared a residence. We filed the divorce paperwork, and I was "served" my summons. We both agree there is no assets or debts to be distrubuted by the court. Besides the proof of service, which has beem returned to the court by the person who served me, and my response, form fl-120, are there any other forms that must be filed? Do we need to provide a financial disclosure, schedule of assets and debts, or others?

MY RESPONSE: It would have been far easier and faster if you had filed a joint Summary Dissolution of Marriage. In a regular marital dissolution, each party is required to file a preliminary and a final Declaration of Disclosure, along with the requisite Income and Expense Declaration and Schedule of Assets and Debts - the final Declaration of Disclosure can be omitted if the parties sign and file a Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure. Additional forms that need to be filed in a regular marital dissolution include a Judgment, a Notice of Entry of Judgment, an Appearance Stipulation and Waivers form, and a Declaration re Default or Uncontested Dissolution. You might consider filing a joint Summary Dissolution Action with your wife, and dismissing the regular marital dissolution action, if you want to simplify the process and avoid the ordeal.

This educational blog is brought to you by DONALD F. CONVISER, an effective and aggressive Los Angeles Family Law Attorney and Divorce Lawyer serving clients in the courts of Los Angeles and Ventura County for over 35 years,owner of Warner Center Law Offices, with offices in Woodland Hills and Century City. Call 888.632.4447 or 818.880.8990 for a free confidential consultation with a Certified Family Law Specialist to discuss your divorce or family law issues. | www.conviser.net | www.conviserfamilylaw.com |