What you get
- An editable Word document, drafted from your answers and the state's official text.
- A proof of sources: every citation in the draft with the words it quotes, the official source, the date the text was saved and its fingerprint.
- Notes for counsel listing each point marked [VERIFY], each blank and each choice left for the client.
- It is filed with a court, so the notes include filing reminders for the court's own rules.
What the intake asks
Plain questions, in the order an attorney would take the facts. Anything left blank stays a marked blank in the draft; nothing is invented to fill it.
The case
- Moving party (our client)
- Respondent
- Court and case number
- Caption and party designations exactly as on the existing order
- Proposed service and any completed service records
- Is the respondent on active military duty
- Support agency or public-assistance involvement
- and 2 more
The order
- Where does the obligation come from
- Date of the order being violated
- What the order requires
- Was the respondent served with, or present for, that order
- Evidence the respondent knew of the order
What happened
- How the order was violated
- How do we know the respondent could have complied
- What has been tried already
- Total arrears
- Arrears calculated through
Relief
- Purpose of the requested relief
- Relief requested
- Proposed release payment, if any
- Proposed release condition, if conditional
- Evidence of present ability to meet that condition
- Documented fees or costs requested
- Other requested relief and supporting facts
Signature
- Signing attorney
Where it is offered
Every state Lawsmith has official sources for:
CaliforniaConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaMarylandMassachusettsNew JerseyNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaTexasVirginia
Official sources on file
The drafter works from the texts Lawsmith has saved for this document in the state you choose, plus federal law where it applies. Each is read from the official publisher and dated.
| State | Sources for this document |
|---|---|
| California | 15 |
| Connecticut | 23 |
| Delaware | 16 |
| District of Columbia | 26 |
| Florida | 11 |
| Maryland | 11 |
| Massachusetts | 14 |
| New Jersey | 19 |
| New York | 12 |
| Ohio | 13 |
| Pennsylvania | 24 |
| Texas | 13 |
| Virginia | 24 |
Among them, for New Jersey:
- N.J.S.A. 2A:34-2 Causes for divorce from bond of matrimony.
- N.J.S.A. 2A:34-10 Jurisdiction in divorce proceedings, dissolution of a civil union, legal separation from a partner in a civil union couple; service of process; residence requirements.
- N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23 Alimony, maintenance.
- N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23.1 Equitable distribution criteria.
- N.J.S.A. 9:2-4 Custody of child; rights of both parents considered.
How the draft is checked
Before it writes, the drafter must quote the official text behind each citation. Lawsmith compares every quotation with the text on file, character for character; a citation with no checked quotation reaches you marked [VERIFY]. The draft still needs your review before it is signed, filed or sent. How citations are checked
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