What are ATROs?

Once you file for divorce and the divorce Petition is served, you must follow the automatic temporary restraining orders (ATROs) printed on the back of the Summons. These ATROs prohibit several actions during the pendency of your divorce unless you and your spouse both agree in writing NOT TO follow the ATROs.

By filing for divorce, you acknowledge and agree that you will not:

1.     Remove your minor children from the state or apply for new or replacement passports on the childrens’ behalf without the prior written consent of each other or an order of Court;

2.     Cash, borrow against, cancel, transfer, dispose of, or change the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile and disability insurance for you, your spouse, or your children.

3.     Transfer, encumber, conceal, dispose of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasi-community or separate, without the written consent of each other or an order of Court, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life;

4.     Create a non-probate transfer or modify a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of the property subject to the transfer without the written consent of each other or an order of Court. Also, before revocation of a nonprobate transfer can take effect, or a right of survivorship to property can be eliminated, notice of the change must be filed and served on each other.