In the answer to a civil lawsuit, the respondent/defendant tells his side of the story. He is supposed to admit facts that are true and deny allegations that are not true. This answer must be filed within 30 days in some state courts. Failure to file an answer can result in a default judgment against the respondent/defendant. A default judgment is a judgment for failure to defend that is entered against the respondent/defendant just like there had been a trial.
This form is a generic example of an answer that may be referred to when preparing such a pleading for your particular state.
Answer Dissolution of Marriage with Child: Answer dissolution of marriage with child refers to the legal process of divorce or the termination of a marriage between two spouses, which involves resolving matters related to child custody, child support, and visitation rights. This type of answer to a dissolution of marriage petition acknowledges the existence of a child or children in the marriage and addresses the specific issues pertaining to their welfare during and after the divorce. Keywords: Answer dissolution of marriage, child, divorce, termination of marriage, child custody, child support, visitation rights, divorce petition, child welfare. Types of Answer Dissolution of Marriage with Child: 1. Joint Petition with Child: This type of dissolution involves both parties mutually agreeing to end their marriage and presenting a joint petition to the court. The answer filed by both spouses acknowledges the presence of a child and details their agreed-upon terms regarding custody, visitation, and support. 2. Contested Dissolution with Child: In this scenario, one spouse files a dissolution of marriage petition, while the other spouse responds with an answer presenting their own perspective on child custody, visitation, and support arrangements. Both parties will need to resolve these matters through negotiation, mediation, or, if necessary, litigation. 3. Uncontested Dissolution with Child: An uncontested dissolution occurs when both spouses agree on all aspects of their divorce, including child custody, support, visitation, and property division. The answer in an uncontested dissolution with a child outlines the agreed-upon terms and seeks the court's approval. 4. Default Dissolution with Child: This type of dissolution occurs when one spouse fails to respond to the dissolution petition and the court grants the divorce in favor of the petitioner. The answer in a default dissolution with a child may involve the responding spouse presenting their terms regarding custody, support, and visitation, which the court will consider before making a final judgment. 5. Mediated Dissolution with Child: In cases where spouses prefer a more cooperative approach, they may choose mediation to resolve their issues. The mediation process involves both parties and a neutral third-party mediator who helps facilitate negotiations, including child-related matters. The answer to such a dissolution outlines the agreements reached during mediation concerning child custody, support, and visitation. 6. Collaborative Dissolution with Child: Similar to mediation, a collaborative dissolution encourages spouses to work together with specially trained attorneys to reach a mutually beneficial settlement. In this type of answer, the parties will present their agreements on child custody, support, and visitation, which were developed through the collaborative process. In any dissolution of marriage with a child, the primary objective is to ensure the child's best interests are met, including maintaining a stable and supportive environment despite the end of the parents' marriage.
