If you've been served a Summons and a Petition for Divorce, you are being called by your wife to court for divorce proceedings.  Whether you knew it was coming or it was unexpected, you need to know where to go from here if you plan on self-representation in court.  Maybe you were planning on filing first but she beat you to it—even so, you can still work with this in order to have it play in your advantage.

First, read through the paperwork thoroughly so that you understand exactly what she wants.  Make note of any orders or motions for temporary orders.  If you receive an Ex Parte Restraining Order with your petition for divorce, it is important that you follow this specifically until you are able to be heard in front of a judge—this is typically an emergency order and should not be taken lightly.  A motion for a temporary order, however, is typically filed as a way to determine temporary child custody and support, living arrangement, and other issues that should be addressed until the divorce is made final in court.  You may then file paperwork accordingly if you want to contest with issues addressed on the motion.

Once you have read through the divorce summons and are familiar with what the case entails, you now have some decisions to make.  You can start preparing paperwork for the Ex Parte Restraining Order court date, and you can also start addressing the motion for a temporary order, in which a hearing is also typically established to discuss.  Be sure to have information and proof to back up anything you state in your court paperwork, and keep your emotions and feeelings against your wife in check and out of the courtroom.