In Texas, a party must serve two documents to initiate a divorce or custody proceeding: an original petition, and a citation. A citation is a formal notification issued by a court that informs a party that he or she has been sued. An “original petition” is a document filed by the initiating party that details requested relief. The first party to file is designated as the petitioner, while the receiving party is designated as the respondent. An original petition will outline motivations behind a divorce, most commonly in supportability or a “no-fault” grounds. Other grounds for divorce include cruel treatment, abandonment, or adultery. In custody cases, a petition in suit affecting parent child relationship will state the basis for the suit and requested relief. In some circumstances, a court may issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to accompany a petition and citation. Some common restraints within a TRO include provisions against removing children from their schools, moving or withdrawing money from financial accounts, making disparaging comments about the other party in the earshot of the children, or hiding children from the other parent.
Following service, courts require that respondents file an “answer.” Filing an answer is vital; it informs the court that you intend to present your perspective and prevents a default judgement against you. An answer functions as a direct response to the petition discussed above, and typically denies or admits all or some of the points alleged in the petition. You must file and serve an answer on the petitioner, or if they have hired an attorney, their counsel. In Texas, a responding party has about twenty days to file an answer, specifically by 10 a.m. on the Monday 20 days after service of a petition.
There are many possible ordered restrictions, this is not a comprehensive list.
If you do not meet any of the above requirements for personal jurisdiction, you may contest a court’s jurisdiction over a suit filed upon you. Be aware that filing an answer counts as consent to a court’s jurisdiction. If you have hired counsel, they may file a special appearance. Special appearances are a pleading accompanying an answer that informs the court that you do not submit to personal jurisdiction.
Many litigants are under the impression that divorces are official upon the filing of an answer. However, an answer is just one of the steps at the beginning of a suit. A divorce is granted when a judge signs a final divorce decree. In Texas, typically parties must wait 60 days before a judge will sign this document.
Once a respondent has filed an answer, she may also wish to file a counter-petition for divorce. A counter-petition is a pleading in which the respondent (following or concurrent with filing his/her answer) counter-sues the petitioner. When an individual serves their spouse with a petition for divorce, they are requesting that the court make decisions and grant relief on the basis of the information presented in their petition. You may wish to deny or reframe some of this information in a counter petition. Additionally, after the filing of a counter petition, neither party may unilaterally drop the suit.