Next, the petitioner (the person filing for divorce) must file the official paperwork – the request for divorce. Petitioners must pay a fee upon filing the initial paperwork for a divorce. ... Petitioners will pay this fee when they file, and respondents will pay the same fee when they file the response.

Does the respondent have to pay for divorce?

The petitioner always pays the divorce fees

Initially, the person filing for the divorce (known as the Petitioner) will always pay the divorce filing fee. ... The petitioner can ask for the respondent to pay their costs in a fault-based divorce, or in a 2-year separation case if they both agree.

Is it better to be petitioner or respondent in divorce?

The name given to the spouse that files first for divorce is the Petitioner and the spouse that files second is called the Respondent. The clearest advantage to filing for divorce first is that at trial the Petitioner gets to present his/her evidence first. ... This advantage is not big enough to rush your divorce.