Public Solicitations for Divorces

In some cases, a person who wants to file for divorce may need to find their spouse in order to get divorced. This is a serious issue for these individuals. Couples may become separated by drifting apart over time, eventually leading to one leaving the other. If this is never formalized through divorce proceedings, that couple will continue to be considered married. The same problem can occur if a person simply runs away from their spouse or family.

If a person cannot find their spouse through sufficient searching, they may decide to locate that individual through a public solicitation. This requires the agreement of the court. As a result, a person needs to properly prepare to file for a public solicitation.

A public solicitation for a missing spouse should not be considered a first option. If this method of finding a person is offered through that individual’s jurisdiction, they need to first collect any information regarding their initial searches. This should include any online information they have gathered in addition to records of any communications between that individual and the authorities contacted.

The court may agree to the request for a public solicitation. This public notice will run for a set amount of time. If there is no response after this time, a missing spouse will be considered served their divorce papers. If the missing spouse does not reply at this point, they may face penalties for being absent for a court appearance.

To learn more about your legal options if you are pursuing a divorce, contact divorce attorney.