The first thing you should do when your spouse asks for a divorce is fully understand your rights under the law as the case proceeds. Perhaps you’ve seen this coming, or maybe it was a surprise. Either way, at this point, there’s not much you can do to prevent your spouse from moving forward with the divorce.
How they obtain the divorce, by what method, and how your rights will be affected are all things an experienced family law attorney can guide you through. While there’s no requirement to hire an attorney and you are free to represent yourself, it’s usually not advisable. The best first step is to gather as much information as possible before making any decisions or agreeing to settlement terms with your spouse.