ANSWER TO A DIVORCE COMPLAINT GENERAL DIVISION
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USE THIS PACKET TO STATE YOUR ANSWER/RESPONSE TO A DIVORCE COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST YOU.
HOW TO FILE AN ANSWER TO A DOMESTIC RELATIONS COMPLAINT IN A LAWSUIT WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY
This packet is designed to allow you to file an ANSWER to a domestic relations lawsuit that has been filed against you. packet does not contain an analysis of your case, nor does it raise any claims you may have against the other side (called a Counterclaim). If you have a counterclaim you should seek the It is possible that if you The
advice of an attorney immediately.
don't file any Counterclaim you will not be able to do so later.
Generally speaking you must answer a lawsuit COMPLAINT within 28 DAYS after you are served with the summons. If you admit that
the COMPLAINT is true then there will be a short hearing to determine what relief is due the other side. You can admit matters
in a Complaint but still object to the amount of damages requested. Preparing a written ANSWER to the COMPLAINT can be easy. After filling out the ANSWER you need to make two photocopies of it. Mail one of the photocopies to the person who filed the
COMPLAINT against you and take the others to the clerk of the Court that served the complaint on you. The Clerk will file-stamp both
and keep the original and give you the copy for proof that you filed it. The Court may set your case for a pre-trial, which is an informal conference at which time the judge meets with the people
involved in the case to see if it would be settled without a lengthy trial. If it cannot then there will be a full hearing.
You will receive notice of the hearing date and will be able to present witnesses and other evidence against the statements in the COMPLAINT at the hearing. After hearing evidence from both sides
the Judge (or Magistrate) will render a decision. If a Magistrate hears the case you will have 14 days after his/her decision to file written objections to it. If the judge If the
thinks that you are correct he may schedule a new hearing.
Judge believes the Magistrate's decision is correct he/she will stated that in an ENTRY. You have thirty days to appeal any
adverse ENTRY to your local Court of Appeals. Note: Divorce actions involving children or considerable property It is recommended that you see a
are generally very complex. lawyer in such cases.
SAMPLE - DO NOT FILE
ANSWER INSTRUCTIONS 1. The name of the county in which you were sued. The name of the person or entity who filed the complaint against you. Your name. The case number. It can be obtained from the complaint. Enter the numbers of the paragraphs from the Complaint that you disagree with or write down what you disagree with. Enter the numbers of the paragraphs from the Complaint you do agree with or write down what you agree with. Your name and address vs. -3Defendant Now comes Defendant who denies the following Complaint: paragraphs of Plaintiff's IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS -1COUNTY, OHIO DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION -22. Plaintiff Case No. ANSWER , -4,
3. 4.
5.
6.
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7.
Defendant admits the following paragraphs of Plaintiff's Complaint:
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WHEREFORE, dismissed entitled. and
Defendant for such
demands
that
Plaintiff's to which
Complaint may
be be
further
relief
Defendant
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that I served a copy of the Answer on -8-
by ordinary U.S. mail this ______ day of 20_______.
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,
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Instructions for Answer con’td 8. The name and address of who filed the Complaint. Today's date. Sign your name.
9. 10.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS COUNTY, OHIO DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION
, Plaintiff vs. , Defendant
Case No.
ANSWER
Now comes Defendant who denies the following paragraphs of Plaintiff's Complaint:
Defendant Complaint:
admits
the
following
paragraphs
of
Plaintiff's
WHEREFORE, Defendant demands that Plaintiff's Complaint be dismissed and for such further relief to which Defendant may be entitled.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that I served a copy of the Answer on
by ordinary U.S. mail this ______ day of 20____.
,