American wide receiver Chad Johnson is trying everything to stay married to his estranged wife Evelyn Lozada, according to TMZ. He apparently is refusing to sign any divorce documents. Lozada recently filed for divorce just three days after Johnson allegedly head-butted her during an argument. Johnson was arrested and dropped from the Dolphins, and the couple’s reality show was cancelled. Johnson reportedly believes he can win Lozada back, and he even tattooed a picture of her on his leg this week.
But we’re not sure what his next move will be. According to Florida law, where Lozada filed for divorce, the divorce can still be finalized with a judge’s approval. Florida follows a “no-fault divorce” policy where the only requirement for a divorce is for one spouse to declare that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” So while sources close to Johnson claim that he is hellbent on winning her back, we think he might be out of moves.
So what would this scenario be like if Lozada filed in Los Angeles? It wouldn’t be much different. The person filing for divorce (petitioner) in a Los Angeles divorce court (family court) gives his/her spouse (respondent) “specific paperwork” and if the respondent refuses to file the paperwork within 30 days of service, the petitioner can request an “entry of default.” That means that the divorce can continue without the respondent’s participation since the respondent lacks the motivation to defend himself/herself. The Los Angeles Superior Court does not require both parties to sign divorce documents.
In Chad Johnson/Evelyn Lozada’s situation, Lozada chose to file for divorce after a domestic violence dispute. The couple did sign a prenuptial agreement, but their marriage only lasted six weeks.