Just been served? Here is your first hour.
Five things first. We organize the rest.
Take a breath. You have time to do this right, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Read the papers once, slowly.
Find the court name, the case number and any date.
Find your response date.
It is often 20 to 30 days, but it varies.
Save what you have.
Photograph or scan the papers. Keep every message, email and photo.
Do not argue with the other side.
Keep communication calm and in writing.
Talk to a family lawyer soon.
Many offer a short first call. If you can't afford one, your local legal aid office may help.
Find legal helpGeneral information, not legal advice. Court rules and deadlines differ by state, county and court.
What to expect in family court
This is a lot to take in. If you need to talk to someone now, call or text 988, anytime.