Who prepares the Divorce Decree?
The Petitioner prepares the Decree for signature by the judge or commissioner. When preparing the Decree, it is important to repeat as closely as possible what was requested in the Petition. When a case ends by default, the court generally cannot issue orders that differ from what the Petition originally requested. (For example, if the Petition does not ask for financial support for a spouse, the Decree cannot order that the Respondent pay support.) The Decree should deal with all property, debt, support, and child-related issues. It is likely that the judge or commissioner will not sign the Decree if different or additional things are requested. The Petition, then, must be as specific and complete as possible when it is filed.
The Petitioner prepares the Decree for signature by the judge or commissioner. When preparing the Decree, it is important to repeat as closely as possible what was requested in the Petition. When a case ends by default, the court generally cannot issue orders that differ from what the Petition originally requested. (For example, if the Petition does not ask for financial support for a spouse, the Decree cannot order that the Respondent pay support.) The Decree should deal with all property, debt, support and child-related issues. It is likely that the judge or commissioner will not sign the Decree if different or additional things are requested. The Petition, then, must be as specific and complete as possible when it is filed.
