Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Counterclaim

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

ANSWER AND COUNTERCLAIM TO COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE (WITH CHILDREN)

STATE OF WYOMING ) IN THE DISTRICT COURT

) ss ) COUNTY OF ) JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Plaintiff: , Civil Action Case No.

(Print name of person filing)

vs.

Defendant: .

(Spouse) (Print name)


ANSWER AND COUNTERCLAIM
TO COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE (WITH CHILDREN)

The Defendant sets forth the following as the answers and responses to Plaintiff’s Complaint for Divorce (with Children):

1. Defendant admits the allegations in Paragraphs of Plaintiff’s Complaint for Divorce.

2. Defendant denies the allegations in Paragraphs of Plaintiff’s Complaint for Divorce.

3. Defendant does not have information sufficient to either admit or deny the allegations in Paragraphs .

WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests that the court find generally in his or her favor and against the Plaintiff, that Plaintiff take nothing by way of his or her Complaint for Divorce, and for such other and further relief as the court deems just and proper.


COUNTERCLAIM

DEFENDANT, sets forth the following as the counterclaim to Plaintiff’s Complaint for Divorce (with Children):

1. Plaintiff Defendant is a resident of County, Wyoming, where the Complaint was filed. The Plaintiff Defendant has lived in the State of Wyoming for at least sixty (60) days immediately prior to the filing of the Complaint; OR

if not, the marriage took place in Wyoming and the Plaintiff Defendant has lived in Wyoming from the time of the marriage until the filing of the Complaint.) W.S. § 20-2-104 and 20-2-107(a).

2. Plaintiff and Defendant were married to each other on in .

3. The Plaintiff and Defendant separated on

4. Irreconcilable differences exist in the marriage and Defendant is the aggrieved party in this case and should be granted a divorce from the Plaintiff.

5. The Plaintiff and I are the natural or adoptive parents of the following minor child(ren):

Child’s initials:

Child’s year of birth:

Present address:

Child’s residence for the past 5 years:

Dates (From/To) Address (city and state) where child lived Name and current address of person(s) child lived with

Attach a separate sheet if necessary

Child’s initials:

Child’s year of birth:

Present address:

Child’s residence for the past 5 years:

Dates (From/To) Address (city and state) where child lived Name and current address of person(s) child lived with

Attach a separate sheet if necessary

6. That the child(ren) named in the Complaint for Divorce have have not been in the State of Wyoming for a period of six (6) months or more immediately before filing of the Complaint. (If not, seek the advice of a lawyer before filing.)

7. I have not participated as a party or a witness or in any other capacity in any other court case concerning the custody of the minor child(ren), and no other court proceedings concerning the minor child(ren) are currently pending in the State of Wyoming or in any other state; OR

I have participated as a party or witness or in another capacity in another court proceeding concerning the custody, allocation of decision-making, or visitation/parenting time of the child(ren) listed in the Complaint for Divorce as follows:

8. I know of no person not a party to these proceedings who has physical custody of the minor child(ren) or who claims to have custody or visitation rights with respect to the minor child(ren); OR

The following people are not parties in this matter, but have physical custody of the child(ren) or claim rights of parental responsibilities, legal custody or physical custody, or visitation/parenting time with the child(ren):

9. To the best of Defendant’s knowledge,

Neither party is pregnant, OR

The Plaintiff Defendant is pregnant [If pregnant, consult an attorney.]; and

The baby is due on or about , and check one space below:

The Plaintiff and Defendant are the biological parents of the child, OR

Plaintiff is not the biological parent of the child, OR

Defendant is not the biological parent of the child.

10. Plaintiff OR Defendant is a fit and proper person to have the primary care, custody and control over the minor child(ren) subject to the other parent’s right of reasonable visitation; OR

Both parties are fit and proper persons to share custody and control over the minor child(ren).

11. Plaintiff OR Defendant is capable of paying child support in an amount determined by the Wyoming Child Support Guidelines.

12. The Court should order that Plaintiff OR Defendant OR Both Parents provide medical insurance for the minor child(ren) if it can be obtained through an employer or if it is otherwise reasonably available and that Plaintiff OR Defendant OR Both Parents be liable to pay any medical expenses, including any deductible or co-pay, not covered by insurance coverage.

13. The parties have accumulated certain property and debts during the course of their marriage which should be equitably divided by the Court.

14. The Court should award the Plaintiff OR Defendant spousal support/alimony in a reasonable amount to be determined by the Court based on the Plaintiff's Defendant's need and the Plaintiff's Defendant's ability to pay as follows:

Plaintiff's Defendant's need:

Plaintiff's Defendant's ability to pay:

OR Neither party shall be awarded spousal support/alimony.

15. The Plaintiff’s Defendant’s previous name may be restored if he or she desires.

WHEREFORE, the Defendant respectfully requests that the Court:

  1. Grant the Defendant a divorce from the Plaintiff and dissolve the marriage;
  2. Award:

    The parties joint legal custody and Plaintiff or Defendant to have physical custody; OR

    The parties joint legal and joint physical custody; OR

    Plaintiff or Defendant to have sole legal and physical custody; OR

    Other (Please describe desired legal and physical custody arrangement in detail)

  3. Order that the Plaintiff OR Defendant pay child support in an amount determined by the court using the Wyoming Child Support Guidelines;
  4. Order that the Plaintiff OR Defendant OR Both parents provide medical support for the minor child(ren);
  5. Order a just and equitable division of the marital property and debts;
  6. Order that:

    No party is entitled to spousal support; OR

    Reasonable spousal support should be paid by Plaintiff OR Defendant as the circumstances and facts may require;

  7. Order that the Plaintiff Defendant resume his or her previous name at the conclusion of this lawsuit if he or she wishes; and
  8. Order such other and further relief as the Court deems just and equitable.

STATE OF WYOMING )

) ss.

COUNTY OF )

The Defendant, , under the penalty of perjury, verifies that she/he has read the Counterclaim, knows the contents of the Counterclaim, and that the statements in the Counterclaim are true to the best of her/his own knowledge.

DATED this day of , 20.

________________________________________

Signature

Printed Name:

Address:

Phone Number:

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of , 20.

Witness my hand and official seal.

________________________________________

Notarial Officer

My Commission Expires:

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on the original of this document was filed with the Clerk of District Court; and, a true and accurate copy of this document was served on the other party by Hand Delivery OR Faxed to this number OR by placing it in the United States mail, postage pre-paid, and addressed to the following:

(Print Plaintiff/Plaintiff’s Attorney’s Name and Address)

TO:

________________________________________

Your signature

Print name

________________________________________

Fill in, if applicable

Pursuant to Rule 102(a)(1)(B) of the Wyoming Uniform Rules of District Court the following attorney has participated in the preparation of this pleading but said attorney is NOT deemed to have entered an appearance in this matter:

Attorney’s Address/Telephone:

Enter text✕

What a Counterclaim Is and When It Arises

A Counterclaim is a pleading filed by a defendant within the same lawsuit that asserts its own claims against the plaintiff. It can seek affirmative relief, offset damages, or declaratory relief and is governed in federal courts by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (see FRCP 13). Counterclaims may be compulsory or permissive depending on whether they arise from the same transaction or occurrence as the plaintiff's claim. Courts and many state filing systems accept electronically signed pleadings when they meet ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and applicable state UETA requirements, subject to local court rules and exceptions for certain document types.

Why Filing a Counterclaim Matters in Litigation

A counterclaim lets a defendant preserve and press related claims in the same case, potentially reducing litigation cost, avoiding separate suits, and creating leverage in settlement talks. Properly pleaded counterclaims can also offset or eliminate plaintiff recovery by asserting affirmative defenses and damages.

Why Filing a Counterclaim Matters in Litigation

Who Typically Prepares and Signs a Counterclaim

Counterclaims are prepared by defense counsel or self-represented defendants and are filed with the court and served on opposing parties according to court rules.

  • Defense attorneys preparing legal pleadings and factual exhibits for litigation.
  • Self-represented litigants (pro se) managing drafting, signing, and service themselves.
  • In-house counsel for businesses coordinating signature and filing with court e-filing systems.

Parties must confirm signatory authority and service method; electronic signing and e-filing are common where courts permit them.

Who Signs and Certifies a Counterclaim

Defense Counsel

An attorney of record signs and files the counterclaim to certify its legal merit and factual basis under rules similar to FRCP 11; counsel confirms service and preserves client privileges.

Self-Represented Litigant

A pro se defendant signs the pleading personally; courts generally accept pro se signatures but verify identity and service compliance per local rules.

Security, Authentication, and Compliance Considerations

Encryption: AES-256 at rest; TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit
Audit Trail: Timestamps, IPs, and action history
Authentication: Email, SMS code, or advanced KBA
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001
Legal Standards: ESIGN and UETA compliance
HIPAA Support: BAA available where required

Key Risks When a Counterclaim Is Incorrect

Sanctions: Court sanctions or Rule 11 penalties
Default Judgment: Risk if service or response fails
Fee Shifting: Potential liability for opposing fees
Statute Limits: Time-barred claims may be dismissed
Evidence Loss: Missing attachments can weaken claims
Perjury Risk: False statements expose criminal risk

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing a Counterclaim

  • Failing to plead facts with required specificity can result in a motion to dismiss or a Rule 11 challenge and loss of claims.
  • Omitting required jurisdictional statements or improperly alleging venue undermines the court's ability to hear the counterclaim.
  • Serving the counterclaim incorrectly or missing local e-filing rules can lead to sua sponte dismissal or default risks.
  • Attaching incomplete or unsigned exhibits, or failing to preserve originals, weakens evidentiary support for damages or offsets.

Step-by-Step: Drafting and Filing a Counterclaim

Follow these core steps to prepare a professional counterclaim, confirm signatory authority, and comply with court filing and service rules.

  • 01
    Gather Facts: Compile dates, contracts, invoices, and supporting evidence.
  • 02
    Draft Pleading: State jurisdiction, causes of action, and factual allegations.
  • 03
    Attach Exhibits: Include labeled, searchable exhibits and supporting documents.
  • 04
    Sign and File: Execute signature block, file via court e-filing, and serve parties.

How Electronic Signing and eSubmission Works for a Counterclaim

A typical eSubmission workflow combines document preparation, e-signature placement, signer authentication, and e-filing or service through court-approved channels.

  • Upload Document: Import PDF or DOCX and convert to filing-ready format.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and checkbox fields where required.
  • Authenticate Signer: Use email link, SMS code, or higher-level authentication.
  • Export & File: Download signed PDF and submit via court e-filing or mail.

Essential Sections of a Professional Counterclaim

A compliant counterclaim has consistent structure and clear demands; including each required element reduces dismissal risk and supports enforcement.

Caption

Court name, case number, and party names must match the original complaint exactly to ensure the pleading is correctly associated with the case and docket.

Jurisdiction Statement

State the court's subject-matter jurisdiction and venue facts; include citations where needed to demonstrate why the forum is proper for the counterclaim.

Causes of Action

List each legal theory as a separate count with supporting factual allegations tailored to statutory or common-law elements required for each claim.

Facts and Damages

Describe material facts in chronological order and quantify damages or set out equitable relief requested, with a clear basis for any computation of amounts.

Prayer for Relief

Specify the remedies sought—money, declaratory relief, costs, attorneys' fees—so the court and opposing party know the nature of requested relief.

Signature Block

Include signer name, title, contact, attorney bar number if applicable, and date; e-signatures must meet ESIGN/UETA criteria and local court acceptance rules.

Practical Additions and File Management for Counterclaims

Organize supporting materials and choose formats that courts and opposing counsel can readily use; clear metadata and consistent pagination help review.

Supporting Exhibits

Label exhibits (Exhibit A, B, etc.), use bookmarks in PDFs, and include an exhibit index for clarity during motions and discovery.

Redaction

Remove or redact privileged or sensitive information before filing; produce unredacted versions under appropriate protective orders if required.

Version Control

Keep a signed original and version history; date-stamp each revision and preserve an audit trail for authentication and chain-of-custody.

Document Format

File final pleadings as searchable PDF/A when possible to preserve text accessibility and meet many court technical requirements.

Setting Up a Digital Counterclaim Workflow

Configure your e-signature and document-management workflow to mirror court filing steps and preserve authentication data.

Field Configuration
Signature Type Email link, SMS code, or advanced auth
File Format Searchable PDF/A preferred for filings
Retention Preserve signed original and audit trail
Integrations Connect to case management or cloud storage

Technical Considerations for eSigning and Filing

Ensure the eSignature platform supports required authentication, audit trails, and export formats accepted by courts.

  • File Types: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite
  • Audit Data: Timestamps and signer metadata

Confirm local court e-filing rules for electronic submissions and retain both the signed document and the platform-generated audit log for the record.

Deadlines and Timing to Watch When Filing a Counterclaim

Timing rules vary by jurisdiction; observe pleading deadlines, response periods, and statute of limitations to avoid waiver or dismissal.

Pleading Deadline:

File the counterclaim within the time allowed for responding to the complaint; FRCP 13 governs timing for compulsory claims.

Response Time:

An opposing party typically has the standard time to answer a counterclaim (for federal cases often 21 days after service under FRCP 12).

Service Deadline:

Serve the counterclaim per local rules; many courts require service contemporaneous with filing or immediately thereafter.

Statute of Limitations:

Counterclaims must respect applicable statutes of limitations; a previously barred claim will not be revived by pleading.

Amendment Window:

Seek leave to amend as early as practicable; courts favor prompt amendment before prejudice to other parties.

Key Milestones After Filing a Counterclaim

Track these sequential milestones from filing through initial responses and early motion practice to maintain case control.

01

File & Serve

Submit the counterclaim and serve opposing counsel per local rules.

02

Opposing Response

Receive motion to dismiss or answer within the prescribed response period.

03

Discovery Opens

Begin discovery schedule and exchange initial disclosures as required.

04

Early Motions

Address jurisdiction, venue, or pleadings via early dispositive motions.

eSignature Pricing Snapshot for Document Execution

Comparison of representative starting prices and common feature availability across providers. signNow is listed first per vendor ordering rules.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Illustrative Use Cases for Counterclaims

These short scenarios show how counterclaims are used in practice to assert defenses and alternative relief within the same lawsuit.

Contract Dispute Example

A supplier sued for breach of contract after nonpayment.

  • The defendant asserts a counterclaim for defective goods and offset.
  • The counterclaim attaches invoices, quality reports, and correspondence and seeks setoff plus attorneys' fees to resolve all claims in a single forum.

Property Damage Example

A homeowner filed for damages after a renovation.

  • The contractor files a counterclaim for unpaid work and delay costs.
  • The contractor submits change orders, signed work authorizations, and a detailed damage ledger seeking payment and declaratory relief about contract scope.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Counterclaim Preparation

Adopt consistent drafting, verification, and submission practices to reduce risk and speed resolution.

Use Clear Headings
Organize counts and factual allegations with numbered paragraphs and clear headings to assist judges and opposing counsel during early review.
Preserve Audit Trails
Retain electronic signature audit logs, timestamps, and signer identity data to prove authenticity if signature validity is challenged.
Confirm Local Rules
Check the court's local rules for e-filing and electronic signature acceptance; adapt format and authentication accordingly to avoid rejection.
Attach Key Exhibits
Include the most probative documents as exhibits at filing; provide an exhibit index and maintain originals for discovery and hearing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Counterclaims

Answers to common procedural and technical questions about preparing, signing, and filing counterclaims in U.S. courts.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users