Family Law Attorney Jessica Culver discusses what to do once you have been served divorce papers. The divorce action begins with the complaint, which is the document that has been served. You generally have 30 days to respond to this complaint or it will go through without your input. You can respond with requests for spousal support, property division, custody, and child support if necessary, but it is very important to respond. It’s extremely difficult and expensive to go back and try to request these things later, so you must retain an attorney and respond quickly.