Received a divorce petition in Spain? First steps

Keep the service documents and all attachments

Do not keep only the first page. Preserve the petition, attachments and court order explaining how to respond. Record when and how it was served. Check the deadline in the notice and calculate it under procedural rules; do not rely on memory or wait for every document before arranging advice.

Separate the divorce from the requested arrangements

List requests about children, housing, maintenance and other finances separately. Flag inaccurate facts and identify supporting records. A response is not a personal letter to your former partner: focus on relevant facts and specific requests with legal advice.

What to bring to the first meeting

Prepare previous orders and agreements, information about the children and a simple summary of income, expenses and housing. Explain current family arrangements and upcoming dates. Do not send children’s documents through public comments or open links. You can attend even if some records are still missing.

Procedure and next decision

Contested divorce proceedings follow the Spanish Civil Procedure Act, particularly article 770; jurisdiction is examined under article 769. The documents identify the court and actual procedural stage. Ask about the response, possible urgent arrangements and settlement options, without assuming negotiations stop the court deadline.

Related legal concept

Divorce petition

Official sources

• Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil, arts. 750, 753, 769 y 770 · BOE (opens a new tab)

Official Spanish legislation consulted on 3 November 2026. The English text explains Spanish law; it is not an official translation.