What Happens When You Don’t Sign The Divorce Papers?

Marriage, much like love, is a complicated thing. Sometimes, you don’t know if you’re coming or going. Sitting up or lying down. You may have been at odds with your spouse for months, maybe even years, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t nearly fall out of your chair when your spouse slapped divorce papers onto the kitchen table. A million thoughts are racing through your head. For now, all you know is that you refuse to sign the divorce papers. If you’re married in Oklahoma and find yourself in this predicament, continue reading the article below.

Does This Stop The Divorce From Happening?

The short answer is, “No.” Now, let’s face it. Every married couple has contemplated divorce at some point, even if they won’t admit it aloud. But that doesn’t mean that you actually want to divorce the love of your life. It can be painful to stare at divorce papers when you’d prefer to work on your marriage. Unfortunately, your refusal to sign them doesn’t mean that a court won’t move forward in divorce proceedings.

Because you won’t sign the paperwork, the divorce is deemed contested. A contested divorce is a divorce where you and your spouse can’t agree on the terms of separation. You might not agree because you don’t want a divorce. You might not agree because you have children, and you don’t want to make rash decisions. Regardless, your soon-to-be-ex-spouse can petition the court for a default judgment or make other requests so that the divorce decree becomes final.

As soon as divorce filings occur, a judge issues an Automatic Temporary Injunction order. This prevents you and your spouse from selling, damaging, or transferring property. You can’t take money out of your account and put it elsewhere. You can’t sell your one-of-a-kind, autographed baseball bat either. Once this injunction goes into effect, any property that’s yours or your spouse’s will be left as is until the divorce is finalized. One reason for this is that spouses can be tempted to hide funds. Also, a judge must decide who gets which assets, so they don’t want you to ruin that property.

What If I Disagree With The Terms Of The Divorce?

Perhaps you aren’t interested in working out your marriage. Maybe you won’t sign the divorce decree because you think its terms and conditions are unfair. If your soon-to-be-ex-spouse hands you divorce papers, it’s in your best interest to consult an Oklahoma divorce attorney immediately. It’s never in your best interest to sign paperwork when you haven’t had a law-trained professional look over it first. If you aren’t sure about the terms of your divorce and you haven’t signed anything yet, Inner Vision Legal is here to help you. Call us today for a consultation at (405) 724-2525 or contact us online.

Typically, a divorce decree defines issues like child support, child custody, alimony, asset division, and more. Although a judge might modify these stipulations if your circumstances allow, that process is arduous and lengthy. It’s better to get everything right, or as ideal as possible, at first.

How Does This Effect The Divorce Procedure?

Generally, when a divorce is uncontested (that is, where both parties agree to dissolve their marriage without court assistance), it is simpler, shorter, and less costly. When you contest the divorce, however, a court must get involved. You and your soon-to-be-ex should each have legal representation. This makes the procedure more time-consuming and expensive.

Suppose you have children when your spouse files for divorce. If so, you must wait 90 days before the divorce is finalized, regardless of whether it’s contested. Sometimes, you might have to attend parenting classes or courses on how divorce affects children.

In addition, both parties must present evidence of assets, rebuff any accusations like adultery, impotence, or mental instability, and plead their overall case. Legal assistance is recommended.

Next Steps

There’s a legitimate reason why you didn’t sign those divorce papers. But the clock is ticking, and you can be certain that your spouse has already lawyered up. Backed by more than 17 years of experience,  Inner Vision Legal is a top divorce law firm in Oklahoma. We strive to provide quality services to you at a reasonable cost. To learn more about how Inner Vision Legal can help you, call (405) 724-2525 or contact us online.