What happens if I get a complaint for divorce?

A "Complaint for Divorce" or "Petition for Divorce" is the first step in a divorce. It is a document filed with the court by one spouse, who is the plaintiff or petitioner. The Complaint explains why the spouse would like to get divorced and on what grounds. It should state specific information regarding the marriage, such as the dates of marriage and separation. It includes the names and birthdates of the children. The Complaint also tells the court what the plaintiff wants from the divorce. 

If you are being served the Complaint, you are the defendant. You can file an answer to state what you want from the divorce or what your objections are to the Complaint. You can also file a motion to dismiss the Complaint. 

Any type of court papers that you are served with must be answered by a deadline. Unless the summons says otherwise, you should file an answer with 30 days from the date your were served. Your answer must be in writing and must be filed with the Clerk of the Court in the County and State printed on the petition. 

What is a summons?

A summons is a paper that provides information about the case. 

It will include:

• The name of the Court, the County, and the State the case was filed in

• The name of the plaintiff (the person who filed for divorce)

• The name of the defendant (the person the divorce is filed against)

• The case number

• The name and address of the plaintiff's attorney; and

• The number of days you have to file a written answer with the court.

What is a sheriff’s entry of service?

When a person is served, the sheriff delivers the court papers. A sheriff’s entry of service is a paper that provides the date you were served with the Complaint for Divorce. It will say who received the papers in your home. It also starts the clock for the deadline to file an answer.  Unless the summons says otherwise, you should file an answer with 30 days from the date your were served.

What is a rule nisi?

A rule nisi is a one-page document signed by a judge that states the date and time of a hearing. In a divorce case, this is an initial hearing to settle temporary issues before the actual final hearing.

You can file an answer to the Complaint for Divorce. You can also file a motion to dismiss the Complaint for Divorce. Find divorce forms and instructions on the Georgia Courts website (the links are to fillable PDFs that may not be fully accessible).

1. The document titled "Summons" will state the number of days you have in order to file your answer. Normally, you have 30 days from the day you were served. You must file your answer with the Court within the number of days stated on the Summons.  

2. Your answer must be in writing and must be filed with the Clerk of the Court of the County and State printed on the petition. 

3. On the top part of your answer, copy the information from the top of the Summons - your name, your spouse's name, the name of the Court, and the Case Number. 

4. Title your document ANSWER and then write out what you agree with and what you do not agree with for every numbered paragraph in the petition. You may want to disagree with certain parts of a numbered paragraph if all the information is not true. 

5. After you have written out your answer, sign your name and write the date. Your answer must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public who will notarize your answer. 

6. Make two copies of your written answer. Mail one copy to your spouse or to the attorney for your spouse, whose name and address is on the Summons you received. Keep one copy for yourself. Take or mail the original to the Clerk of Court to file with the Court before the deadline passes. 

You should deny or admit every allegation in the complaint and you can state two or more defenses to the Complaint for Divorce.

• Allege that the case was filed in the wrong county

• Plead that you are covered under the Soldiers' and Sailors' Relief Act

• Allege that the court lacks jurisdiction, that the case is in the wrong court, or that you were not properly served with the Complaint

• Plead that there was a prior existing valid marriage

• Plead insanity at the time of the alleged wrongdoing

• Allege charges against the plaintiff and ask for a divorce

• Plead that the plaintiff committed similar acts (on the grounds that the plaintiff is using for divorce)

• Plead that the plaintiff agreed to the conduct with the intent of causing a divorce

• Allege that the plaintiff has condoned this and that cohabitation with the defendant has occurred after the act alleged in the complaint

• Plead that the plaintiff consented to the acts alleged in the complaint

Sometimes, you may be ordered to participate in mediation. Mediation is an attempt to settle issues through active participation of a third party (mediator) who tries to help you and your spouse reach an agreement. However, mediation does not always result in a settlement and there has to be a trial at the final hearing. 

You will receive notice of the final hearing. Regardless of whether you have an attorney or not, you should attend the hearing so that you can present your position to the Judge. Depending on the issues of the divorce case, the Judge may require that you hire an attorney. The Judge will make the final decisions in order to conclude the divorce case. A final decree will be prepared by the Plaintiff's attorney. The Judge's orders will be stated in this document. Both the Plaintiff and you must abide by this order.