Is the Final Step in a Divorce When I Serve My Spouse?

No!!  The serving of divorce papers is only one step in the divorce process.  Once your spouse is served, he/she has 30 days to respond.  If a response is filed, there is a good chance that your divorce is contested.  A response signals to the court that the respondent is not in agreement with the way the petitioner wishes to handle the issues.  Sometimes, the respondent is in agreement but thinks that a response must be filed.  This is incorrect.  If a respondent is in agreement, he/she does not need to file a response.  The divorce is completed either by trial (if the respondent is not in agreement and files a response), by default (if the respondent does not respond) or by agreement (if the petitioner and respondent can agree on their issues and sign & notarize a Marital Settlement Agreement).