Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts
Complaint Response
Please tell me how long a defendant has to respond to a divorce complaint once they have been served Divorce Papers? Also, can a person be ordered by a court judge to go to marriage counseling?
Asked on 6/22/04, 11:33 am
1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Petti
Law Office of Mark D. Petti
Re: Complaint Response
A person has 20 calendar days to respond to a Divorce Complaint starting the day after they have been served.
It is highly unlikely that a court would order someone to go to marriage counseling. It is however, required of attorneys to suggest same to parties considering divorce. If the parties have children then parent education classes are required.
Answered on 6/22/04, 11:39 am