This Response to Dissolution of Marriage is filed by the Respondent. It states that he/she contests certain issues contained within the Petition for Divorce. This form is to be used by those parties without minor children born of the marriage.
In Phoenix, Arizona, the Response to Dissolution of Marriage refers to the legal document filed by a spouse in response to a petition for divorce. This specific type of response is applicable when there are no children or only adult children involved, and the marriage is non-covenant. When a spouse receives a petition for dissolution of marriage, they have a certain period of time, typically 20-30 days depending on jurisdiction, to file a response with the court. The purpose of the response is to either agree or contest the issues raised in the dissolution petition. In the case of a dissolution of marriage without children, the response may include various sections addressing different aspects of the divorce, such as property division, spousal support, debt allocation, and any other relevant issues. Phoenix, Arizona recognizes two types of marriages: covenanted and non-covenanted. A covenanted marriage typically refers to a marriage that has been solemnized in a religious ceremony, while a non-covenanted marriage is one that has not been religiously or formally solemnized. The response to dissolution of marriage may vary based on the type of marriage, but for the purpose of this description, we will focus on non-covenanted marriages. In a non-covenant divorce without children or with only adult children, the response typically begins with the identification of the filing party, they may be legally represented by an attorney or filing pro SE (without legal representation). The response will include the case number and other identifying information to ensure proper documentation. Next, the response may contain a section addressing the jurisdiction and venue, confirming that the divorce is being filed in the correct court and under the appropriate legal framework. This ensures that the court has the authority to hear the case and grant the divorce. Following the jurisdiction section, the response will typically address each issue raised in the dissolution petition. For example, the property division section may outline the spouse's position on how assets and debts should be divided between the parties. This may include real estate, personal property, bank accounts, investments, debts, and any other relevant financial considerations. Another section of the response may address the issue of spousal support or alimony, whereby the spouse can either agree or contest the requested amount, duration, or necessity of any financial support post-divorce. Additionally, the response may include sections on attorney's fees, where the respondent can request the other party to be responsible for the respondent's legal fees, as well as any other miscellaneous matters that need to be addressed. It is important to note that while this description provides a general overview of what a response to dissolution of marriage in Phoenix, Arizona, would include for a non-covenant, no children or adult children case, it is always advisable to consult an attorney or legal resource to ensure that all relevant laws and requirements are accurately met.
