If the Petitioner already filed a petition for legal separation--and they seek to amend their petition to one for dissolution, they would need to file a request for order requesting the court allow them to do so--or get a signed stipulation allowing them to do so. It sounds from what you said like they filed a completely different case for dissolution after filing for legal separation.  That would not be proper. It sounds like you are either confused or the Petitioner is making a mess of things.  Either way you should consult with a local family law attorney.