We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Law

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Involved in a Divorce Judgment?

Nicole Madison
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 4,153
Share

A divorce judgment is a court order that dissolves a marriage. To get to the point at which a divorce is granted, a person usually has to file a complaint to initiate divorce proceedings. Then, his spouse is given the opportunity to respond to the complaint. Depending on the unique circumstances under which people are divorcing, a couple may go to court to hash out the details of the divorce or come to an agreement on their own. Once the details of the divorce are settled, a divorce judgment is granted and the parties are legally divorced.

When a party in a marriage wants a divorce, he seeks a divorce judgment. A divorce judgment means the spouses in a marriage have finalized the matters related to their marriage and a divorce has been granted. In order to seek a divorce judgment, one of the spouses usually files a divorce complaint and the other one responds to it. He may respond by agreeing to the divorce or by contesting it. If the spouses cannot agree, a judge usually makes a final decision on granting the divorce.

The path taken to secure a divorce judgment depends, in part, on the couple. Sometimes a couple agrees not only about ending the marriage, but also about splitting marital assets and caring for children. In such a case, a judge may simply approve their agreement and grant the divorce. When the couple cannot agree, however, a judge may preside over a divorce trial and make decisions regarding the division of assets, custody, child support, and alimony.

In some places, a person can also secure a default divorce judgment. This occurs when one spouse files a divorce complaint and the other spouse, who is named the defendant in the case, is properly notified of the proceedings but chooses not to respond. In such a case, the defendant is given a specific amount of time in which to respond. If he fails to do so, the court usually grants a default judgment on behalf of the plaintiff. This basically means the plaintiff wins his case.

The procedure for seeking a divorce and the types of divorce that are available differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions, for example, grant only no-fault divorces while others establish fault. Interestingly, there are even some jurisdictions that allow spouses to finalize their divorces through the mail while others require court appearances.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Nicole Madison
By Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. Her passion for knowledge is evident in the well-researched and informative articles she authors. As a mother of four, Nicole balances work with quality family time activities such as reading, camping, and beach trips.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-involved-in-a-divorce-judgment.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.