DO-IT-YOURSELF DIVORCE IN CALIFORNIA: HOW DO I START?
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#1⇒ DO YOUR RESEARCH |
Self-filers often cost themselves extra time and money by failing to do their research. Before attempting to file for divorce on your own, make sure you know what’s involved. There are rules and procedures that must be followed throughout the case. Becoming familiar with these local rules, procedures, and laws will help your divorce case flow through the system more smoothly. On the other hand, if you miss a deadline or file a document incorrectly, it could prolong.
Do yourself a favor and seek out qualified resources such as do-it-yourself books and guides online, in bookstores or libraries. Another excellent source of information is your local courthouse and their website. Many courts have self-help centers with workshops to assist you in completing your court documents.
Do yourself a favor and seek out qualified resources such as do-it-yourself books and guides online, in bookstores or libraries. Another excellent source of information is your local courthouse and their website. Many courts have self-help centers with workshops to assist you in completing your court documents.
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#2⇒ SEEK COUNSEL |
Even though you have decided to file your case on your own, it is wise to consult an attorney. An experienced divorce attorney can advise you if you are a good candidate to file the case yourself. The attorney may be able to spot potential pitfalls that you have not considered. For instance, if you expect your spouse to oppose any aspect of the divorce, doing it on your own may not be in your best interest.
If money is an issue, you may qualify for legal aid. Another option is to hire an attorney on an hourly basis to review your case. This is known as Limited Scope Representation.
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#3⇒ GATHER YOUR LEGAL & FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS |
Before you can complete your divorce petition and other court forms, you will need to have a lot of information on hand. Don't skip this important step! Collecting everything you need and keeping it all in one place will save you so much time in the long run.
Divorce is emotional enough on its own. Being organized is essential to helping you get through the process with the least amount of stress. Listed below are 16 of the most common documents you will need to refer to while completing your court forms.
Divorce is emotional enough on its own. Being organized is essential to helping you get through the process with the least amount of stress. Listed below are 16 of the most common documents you will need to refer to while completing your court forms.
LIST OF MOST COMMON DOCUMENTS YOU WILL NEED
o Marriage certificate
o Birth certificates for each child
o Most recent statements for all financial accounts such as checking & savings, retirement, investments, etc.
o Life insurance policies
o Business assets such as accounts receivable, partnership and/or other business interests
o Employment information such as pay stubs, W2s, 1099s, etc.
o Property information for all property owned: mortgage note, Deed of Trust, most recent mortgage statement, etc.
o Most recent statements for all debts including credit cards, loans, student loans, taxes, etc.
o Information on all vehicles owned including cars, boats, etc. such as loan or lease contracts or sales receipts.
o Information on support arrangements such as court orders or stipulations.
o Tax returns for the last 2 years
o List of other assets and dates acquired such as jewelry, antiques, coin collections and art
o List of all household assets and dates acquired such as furniture and appliances
o Date of separation
o Previous addresses and dates of residency for the last 5 years
o Your current budget and expenses
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FREE PDF CHECKLIST |
We know that's a long list of documents, so we created a Checklist to help you out!
⇚⇚⇚ DOWNLOAD HERE!
- Organize your documents
- Check off the items as you collect them
- Write in additional documents needed
- There is even room to make notes.
⇚⇚⇚ DOWNLOAD HERE!
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#4⇒ DOWNLOAD YOUR COURT FORMS |
When you are ready to get started, go to http://www.courts.ca.gov. There you will find the fillable forms and instructions.
Remember the old joke? "How do you eat an elephant?" Answer: "One bite at a time." Just keep that in mind as you go through these 4 steps. Follow the steps, one-by-one. Before you know it you will be organized and ready to file your initial paperwork. For more tips on filing for divorce and related articles, visit our blog!
Still feeling overwhelmed? Contact us with your questions. Or if you would like us to prepare your paperwork for you Contact Us for a quote.
Happy filing!
Still feeling overwhelmed? Contact us with your questions. Or if you would like us to prepare your paperwork for you Contact Us for a quote.
Happy filing!
Cherryl Rudy, AVBA
A Virtual Assistant 4 Hire, LDA#459
About the Author: Dawn Felt has been assisting clients with their legal document preparation at A Virtual Assistant 4 Hire for over a decade. Specializing in Divorce & Family Law, Bankruptcy, and Real Estate Law, A is a registered, certified and Attorneys Best Choice is bonded Legal Document Assistant in Orange County, CA.
Related articles: Can I File for Divorce Without an Attorney? , Divorce on A Budget, 5 Simple Steps to Hiring the Perfect Paralegal, #1 Mistake to Avoid When Filing Without an Attorney
Labels: filing for divorce in California, filing for divorce without an attorney, how do I file for divorce, how to start, Pro Se, Pro Per, self-filing, paralegal, legal document assistant
