DIVORCE FILING PROCEDURES
Complete (use black ink / write legibly) a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (with/without
Children), and attach any supporting documentation. Have the Petition notarized and return it to
Tribal Court Office with a filing fee of $100 (money orders only). You have the option to request a
waiver of fees. Submit an Application for Waiver of Court Fees form along with your petition.
Upon review by the Judge, the fee may be waived.
The Court will conform your documents; file the originals; and return a copy to you along with a
response packet for the respondent. This divorce packet may consist of the following documents:
A copy of the Petition you filed along with copies of any attachments.
Financial Statement and Application for Waiver of Court Fees
A Preliminary Injunction (If Applicable)
A Summons (To be served on the Respondent)
Affidavit of Service (To be completed by person making service)
An Acceptance of Service/Waiver of Appearance (One option to be completed by
Respondent)
A Response to Petition (Other option to be completed by Respondent)
Application for Default / Notice of Default (To be completed by Petitioner if
Respondent doesn’t complete one or the other of their options)
The Summons indicates that the respondent has 20 calendar days to respond if served within the
boundaries of the Ft. Yuma Indian Reservation. If served outside the boundaries of the Reservation
they have 30 calendar days to respond.
The Response to Petition form is information that the respondent may complete if they would like to
contest any of the contents of the petition filed by the petitioner. The respondent is required to
return the originals to the court and mail a copy to the petitioner. This form does not need to be
completed by the Respondent if the second option, Acceptance of Service/Waiver of Appearance is
completed.
The Acceptance of Service/Waiver of Appearance is utilized if the respondent chooses to not contest
any of the terms of the petition and waives their right to appear. This must be notarized and
returned to the Tribal Court within 10 days of service, as indicated on the document. This form does
not need to be completed by the Respondent if the first option, Response to Petition form is
completed.
A Preliminary Injunction may be granted at the petitioner’s request. The reasons must be indicated
on the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or on a separate attached document.
THE PETITIONER IS RESPONSIBLE TO SERVE THESE DOCUMENTS UPON
THE RESPONDENT. PROOF OF SERVICE IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE COURT
CALENDAR BEGINS. THAT PROOF IS A COMPLETED AFFIDAVIT OF
SERVICE FROM THE PETITIONER TO THE COURT.
After Service: If the respondent returns a Response to Petition or Acceptance of Service/Waiver of
Appearance to the court and the petitioner, the court will schedule a hearing within 60 days, and send
out Notices of Hearing. If the Acceptance of Service/Waiver of Appearance is filed with the court,
only the petitioner is notified of the hearing. If a Response to Petition is filed, then both parties are
notified of the hearing. When the time limit for the respondent expires, if nothing is filed by the
respondent, the petitioner must complete an Application for Default & Notice of Default to file with
the court.
Rev.09182007