After being served divorce papers. is there a time frame to submit a response to the courts. could it be granted by default?

Answered January 16, 2009 11:52. Assuming you were served correctly you have 30 days within which to file a response with the court and to mail a copy to your husband. If you don't, your default could be taken and the case could proceed without you. There should be nothing for you to sign if what you were served was a Petition and a Summons. If you were served with something more than that, or you received the papers in the mail with a request to sign an Acknowledgement of Receipt, your refusal to sign that will only result in a slight delay, since you can just be served personally if you refuse to sign that and the process will proceed whether you participate or not. Signing an acknowledgment of receipt will not affect your previously owed debts. You should bring the papers to an attorney to review so that you are not disadvantaged by any delays.

Answered January 16, 2009 14:14. I would not sign anything or do anything until you speak with an attorney which you should do as soon as possible. If you cannot afford an attorney, look for legal aid or low cost legal services in your area that can help you.