Do Both Parties Have To Be Present At Final Hearing For An Uncontested Divorce?

Question:

Do both parties have to be present at final hearing for an uncontested divorce?

Answer:

If you are Pro Se, and you have all of your documents properly complete and notarized, only one person has to show up at the final hearing — it must be the person who filed the petition. Additionally, many counties are offering virtual hearings and many judges are willing to do this. So, your spouse could appear virtually if you requested. The person who needs to show up is the person who filed a petition. Alternatively, if there is a counter petition than the person who filed the counter petitioner could be present. In any case, if one of the spouses wants their name changed to their maiden name, they must appear at the final hearing.

Attorney Erin E. Morse