What Happens if Your Spouse Doesn’t Respond to Divorce Papers in Riverside? | Riverside Divorce
Hi, I’m Tim Blankenship with Divorce661. If you’ve served your spouse with divorce papers in Riverside County and they don’t respond, you don’t have to sit and wait forever. In this article I’ll walk you through what starts the 30‑day clock, what to do when your spouse fails to answer, the paperwork you’ll need, and how we helped a Riverside client move forward quickly when their spouse didn’t respond.
When does the 30‑day clock start?
The 30‑day period begins once your spouse has been properly served with the divorce papers. That means once service is completed, the respondent generally has 30 days to file a response. If they don’t file anything within that time, you may be eligible to request a default judgment so the case can proceed without their participation.
Step‑by‑step: What to do if your spouse doesn’t respond
- File proof of service promptly.Timely filing of proof of service is crucial. The court needs that record to know when the 30‑day clock started. Without proof of service on file, you can’t move forward with a default.
- Request entry of default.If the 30 days pass and there is no response on record, you can request that the court enter a default against your spouse. This is the formal request that lets the court know the respondent didn’t answer and that you want the case to proceed.
- Complete mandatory financial disclosures.Even in a default situation, the court expects parties to provide full financial information. That typically includes income and expense information and a complete listing of assets and debts. Having these disclosures complete and accurate speeds the approval process.
- Prepare and submit a full judgment package.Your judgment package should include a proposed judgment outlining the terms you’re asking the court to approve (property division, debts, support, etc.), proof that disclosures were completed, and any other required documents the court needs to enter the judgment.
- Be ready for court review (or a hearing in some cases).If everything is in order, many default divorces can be approved without a contested hearing. However, the court may require a hearing if there are children, complex assets, or incomplete paperwork.
What documents should you expect to prepare?
While local procedures and specific form numbers vary, the essentials include:
- Proof of service showing when the respondent was served
- Request for default or other paperwork to ask the court to enter default
- Complete financial disclosures (income, expenses, assets, debts)
- A proposed judgment that sets out the terms you want the court to approve
- Any supporting declarations or attachments required by the court
Completing these items correctly is what allows the court to enter a final judgment even when the other spouse isn’t participating.
Why most people get stuck — and how to avoid it
Many people believe they’re stuck simply because the other spouse didn’t file a response. In reality, getting stuck usually comes down to incomplete paperwork or not filing the necessary steps (like proof of service or the default request). Being proactive — filing proof of service, preparing disclosures, and submitting a full judgment package — keeps your case moving.
Client success story from Riverside
A client in Riverside reached out after waiting months, convinced they couldn’t move forward because their spouse didn’t respond. We stepped in, handled the disclosures, filed the right paperwork, and submitted a complete judgment package. The court approved the divorce without any delays and without the need for a contested hearing. That timely action prevented unnecessary hassles and helped the client move on faster.
“Don’t let uncertainty hold you back. Take control of your divorce process.”
When children or large assets are involved
Default divorces involving minor children or significant assets require extra care. Courts are particularly attentive to child support, custody arrangements, and fair division of property. Make sure disclosures are thorough and that any proposed orders address the best interests of the children and financial fairness. In some cases, the court may require a hearing to review terms affecting children.
How Divorce 661 can help
At Divorce 661 we specialize in handling default divorce cases throughout California, including Riverside County. We manage the entire process — from filing proof of service and preparing mandatory disclosures to assembling a court‑compliant judgment package and submitting it for approval. Our goal is to keep your divorce on track and minimize the stress and confusion that comes when the other spouse doesn’t respond.
To learn how we can help with your default divorce, schedule a free consultation at Divorce661.com.
Conclusion
If your spouse doesn’t respond to divorce papers in Riverside, you still have a clear path forward. The keys are to file proof of service promptly, request default when appropriate, complete full financial disclosures, and submit a thorough judgment package with your proposed terms. With the right paperwork and guidance, your divorce can proceed smoothly even without the other spouse’s cooperation.
For help moving forward confidently and efficiently, visit Divorce661.com and schedule your free consultation today.
