The Importance of Responding to Legal Papers Concerning Child Support
Posted January 4, 2025
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Legal proceedings, especially those related to child support, can be overwhelming and complex. The moment you're handed legal or court papers, indicating you've been "served" or are under "served with process," the clock starts ticking. Let's delve into why it's crucial to have an attorney handle the response to these papers, particularly when they pertain to child support.
Understanding the Weight of Being Served
Being served is more than just receiving paperwork. It's an official commencement of a legal process against you. These papers dictate the nature of the claims or allegations and often come with stringent timelines.
Generally, you're expected to file a written response within 20-30 days. However, depending on the urgency and nature of the relief sought (like injunctive relief), this window might be even shorter.
The Perils of Inaction
Ignoring these papers isn't an option for several reasons. Let’s consider a few of the most common:
Default Judgments
If you don't respond to the lawsuit, petition, or motion, you are effectively admitting to all the claims made against you. This non-response leads to what's called a default judgment. The court, without any further ado, will grant the petitioner (the one who served you) everything they've asked for.