What is the legal definition and what does that mean exactly?

It depends on the state law.

Here is a source on Tennessee law. http://www.divorcesource.com/ds/tennessee/tennessee-service-of-process-for-divorce-5223.shtml

I serve these papers in Mass, state laws are different so you really need to read the documents thoroughly and carefully. 

In Mass, once served you are legally restrained from making any capital expenditures (no, I can't define this), selling assets, draining bank accounts, etc. without the court's permission.

You must respond and represent yourself or you will be taken to the cleaners.

If children exist, things get very complicated very fast.


I highly recommend that you get a good, aggressive divorce attorney to represent you and then listen to what he/she tells you to do or not do.