Fill and Sign the How to Get Divorced Without a Lawyer 3 Ways to Save Money Form

WA R N I N G : Without the advice and help of an attorney, you may be putting yourself, your property, and your money at risk. For help finding a private attorney, call your local lawyer referral service or the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Information Service at 1-800-252-9690. To find the Legal Aid office nearest you, go to www.TexasLawHelp.org and click on “Find Legal Assistance.” If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can get legal help by calling 1-800-374-4673. WA R N I N G : Filing an Answer with the Court enters your appearance in this case. Talk t o an attorney before filing an Answer, if you 1) do not live in Texas and 2) do not want a Texas Court to have the power to make orders that would impose a personal obligation on you. Such orders could include orders dividing your property and debts, ordering you to pay child support (if you and your spouse have children), and ordering you to pay spousal maintenance, court costs and attorney’s fees (if requested by your spouse). If you file an Answer (or any other pleading) before filing a Special Appearance, you will give up your right to argue that Texas can’t make such orders because you live out-of-state. Ask a Texas attorney to help you determine if Texas has personal jurisdiction over you. © TexasLawHelp.org, Respondent’s Answer to Divorce (Divorce No Children kit), May 2012 Page 1 of 3 (Print court information exactly as it appears on the Petition for Divorce) Respondent’s Answer to Divorce Print your answers. My name is: __________________________________________________________________. First Middle Last I am the Respondent in this divorce case My spouse is the Petitioner. The last three numbers of my driver’s license number are: ___ ___ ___. My driver’s license was issued in (State) ________________________. or I do not have a driver’s license number. The last three numbers of my social security number are: ___ ___ ___. or I do not have a social security number 1. General Denial I enter a general denial. I want to be notified of all hearings in this case. However, if my spouse and I reach an agreement I will sign the Final Decree of Divorce. If I sign the Final Decree of Divorce , then I agree that the Court can finalize this case without my getting notice of the hearing and without my coming to Court. Cause Number: IN THE MATTER OF THE MARRIAGE OF: Petitioner : In the ______________ (Court Number) District Court County Court at Law County, Texas (Print first, middle and last name of the spouse filing for divorce .) And Respondent: (Print first, middle and last name of other spouse.) © TexasLawHelp.org, Respondent’s Answer to Divorce (Divorce No Children kit), May 2012 Page 2 of 3 2. Contact Information My mailing address is: ___________________________________________________________. Print Mailing Address City State Zip My phone number is: (_____) ______-____________. I understand I must notify the Court and my spouse or my spouse’s attorney (if my spouse has an attorney) in writing if my mailing address or phone number changes during this case. I understand that unless I give the Court and my spouse or my spouse’s attorney (if my spouse has an attorney) written notice of changes in my mailing address, all information about this case, including the date and time of hearings, will be sent to me at the address on this form. Note: If your spouse has an attorney you must send the notice required above to your spouse’s attorney rather than your spouse. 3. Separate Property I own the following separate property. I owned this property before I was married or I received this property as a gift or inheritance during my marriage or I received this property as recovery for personal injuries sustained during my marriage (not including any recovery for loss of earning capacity during my marriage). I ask the Court to confirm this property as my separate property in my Final Decree of Divorce. 1. House located at: _____________________________________________________________. street address city state zip 2. Land located at: ______________________________________________________________. street address city state zip 3. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, mobile homes or other vehicles Year Make Model Vehicle Identification No. [VIN] 4. Other property I owned before I was married or received as a gift or inheritance during my marriage (describe): 5. Money I received as recovery for personal in juries sustained during my marriage (not including any recovery for loss of earning capacity during my marriage) (describe): Note: Ta l k t o a l a w y e r i f y o u o r y o u r s p o u s e h a s a r e t i r e m e n t account. Even if the retirement account was owned by one spouse before the marriage, any increase in the value of the account dur ing the marriage is usually considered to be community property that can be divi ded by the court. A retirement account may be the most valuable asset owned by you and your spouse. © TexasLawHelp.org, Respondent’s Answer to Divorce (Divorce No Children kit), May 2012 Page 3 of 3 4. Name Change (Check one.) I am NOT asking the court to change my name. I ask the Court to change my name back to: _ _______________________________________________________________________________. PRINT First Middle Last This is a name I have used before. I am not asking the court to change my name to avoid criminal prosecution or to avoid payment of debt. 5. Prayer I ask the Court to grant me a divorce. I also ask the Court to make the other orders I have asked for in this Answer and any other orders to which I am entitled. Æ Respondent’s Signature Date ( ) Respondent’s Printed Name Phone Number Respondent’s Mailing Address City State Zip 6. Certificate of Service I swear that a true copy of this document was delivered to my spouse or my spouse’s attorney (if my spouse has an attorney) in person, by fax, or by certified mail, return receipt requested on this date. Æ _ Respondent’s signature Date