What happens when you don't respond to a divorce summons in the 20 days a lotted?

Answer 1

Two things to know. First, if a person does not answer the summons and complaint in the time allotted, the court will let the plaintiff proceed with the case pretty much as if the defendant agrees with all the allegations and demands made in the complaint. The plaintiff will have to prove that service of the summons was made properly just so the court is sure that the failure to answer is not just because the defendant does not know about it. The court will schedule a proof hearing at which time the plaintiff will testify to the truthfulness of the allegations of the complaint. If the court is satisfied the allegations are true, it will enter a default judgment granting the plaintiff's demands as long as those demands are supported by the facts. Second, the court will not cut off a defendant from filing an answer just because the 20 day period has expired. All courts have rules that permit filing a late Answer provided there is some reasonable reason for the lateness. Plaintiffs's lawyers know that courts will allow late answers very liberally, so much so that they usually consent to a late answer without making the defendant ask the court to be allowed to file late.