网上搜的帖子不太明白法律术语

http://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=5031

Six months and one day after the Respondent is served, the divorce becomes final (this is called a "waiting period").

什么是"is served"?是法院发出诉讼通知的日期吗？

To begin a divorce in the state of California, one spouse must file a Petition . The person who files the Petition is the "Petitioner." The Divorce Petition must then be served.

After the spouse is served, that person has 30 days to file a Response. This document tells the court that the Respondent wishes to participate in the divorce proceedings. The person who must file the Response is called the "Respondent."

If the Respondent fails to file a Response within 30 days after being served with divorce paperwork, the case proceeds without the Respondent’s participation. The Petitioner prepares a judgment and submits it to the court. The Petitioner requests orders concerning custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, attorney fees, and division of property. Six months and one day after the Respondent is served, the divorce becomes final (this is called a "waiting period").

If the Respondent files a Response, the parties exchange documents and other information about their property and incomes. This is called "Discovery." Discovery can be in the form of questions asked in persn (by deposition) or through written questions.