Answer/Counter-Petition

When a Petition is filed in a family law case, the responding party has the opportunity to file an Answer. This legal document responds to the claims made in the Petition, either admitting, denying, or expressing a lack of sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations. The Answer is a critical document, as it officially informs the court of the responding party’s position regarding the issues raised in the petition.

Along with the Answer, the responding party may also file a Counter Petition. A Counter Petition allows the responding party to make their own requests to the court, separate from those made by the other party. 

Filing a Counter Petition is an important strategic move because it ensures that the responding party’s ’s requests are formally presented to the court. Both the Answer and Counter Petition set the stage for the legal proceedings that follow, as the court will consider the claims and requests from both sides when making its decisions. The proper and timely filing of these documents is crucial for protecting the responding party’s legal rights and interests in the case.