Who Is the Petitioner in a Divorce? Your Rights, Responsibilities, and What Happens Next
The petitioner is the spouse who initiates divorce by filing a petition with the court. The other spouse becomes the respondent. Being the petitioner means you control timing, choose jurisdiction, and present evidence first at trial. All 50 states require petitioners meet residency requirements—ranging from six weeks (Idaho, Nevada) to one year (several states)—before filing….









