Finalize your petition for child custody and support
The steps to finish your Petition for Child Custody and Support case depend on your situation.
After you served the other parent, and they either responded or missed the deadline to respond, you turn in a set of final forms to finish your case. Then, the judge makes a final judgment about child custody and support.
If you're the respondent, you can also finish the case.
Check you're ready to finish your case
You can take the next steps to finish your case if either
- There's a default (the parent who is the respondent never filed a response)
- You and the other parent have a written and signed agreement
- The judge made a final decision in a trial
If none of these have happened, you can try to reach an agreement with the other side. Then if you do, you can write up the agreement and both sign it. Then, you can finish your case. If you can't agree, you can ask a judge to decide.
Steps once you're ready to finish
How to finish your case with a default
If the other parent (the respondent) didn't respond, you can ask for a judgment based on the final papers you submit.
How to finish your case with a default with written agreement
If the other parent (the respondent) didn't respond because you have an agreement, you can ask the judge for a judgment based on the forms you submit along with your signed agreement.
How to finish a case with a written agreement
If the respondent filed a Response and you have a written agreement, you can ask the judge for a judgment based on the forms you submit along with your signed agreement. This is called uncontested.
How to finish a case after a trial
If your case went to trial, the court will make orders based on the judge's decision at the trial.