How do I answer a summons for divorce in Virginia?
Full Question:
Answer:
In Virginia, following the service of a divorce summons, the Defendant party has an
opportunity to answer all of the allegations of the complainant and to file a
Cross-Bill of Complaint alleging any grounds of divorce against the
Complainant and to ask the court to grant whatever relief the defendant
desires.
The civil rules of procedure state:
25.1-213. Filing an answer and grounds of defense; election of jury.
Within 21 days of the service thereof any such owner who desires to assert any objection or defense to the taking or damaging of his property or to the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case shall file (i) his answer and grounds of defense designating the property in which he claims to be interested, (ii) the grounds of any objection or defense to the taking or damaging of his property or to the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case, and (iii) his election to proceed with the empanelment of a jury for the determination of just compensation.