Erin Levine, Author at Hello Divorce

Divorce 101: California Divorce Law Video Tutorial

Fees, Kids, Planning, Process, Property & Debt, Spouse

You may have already heard me say it before: Divorce is both Procedure & Substance. Procedure = forms, processing with the court, “service of process” (delivery of documents to your spouse). Substance = the issues at the heart (sorry) of your divorce like property division, co-parenting, child support, and alimony. This video tutorial is for you if you want to learn more about California divorce law (i.e. substance). It’s not legal advice and it definitely won’t establish an attorney-client relationship but it might just help you and your spouse with negotiating an agreement. Or, if you are a Cooperative Divorce member, this is a great primer for your first (or second) meeting. Want to learn more? Check out our Udemy Course:

Considering a DIY Divorce? We Wrote the Playbook

Planning

Take Our Quiz to Find Out What Works Best For You What's your current divorce status?*Divorce statusI'm ready for divorceI have filed for divorceMy divorce is finalizedI'm thinking about divorceMy spouse has filed for divorceHelping out a friendDo you have kids?*KidsYesNoWhat's your divorce goal?*Divorce GoalCheapest w. least workLeast work / help me file & serveHandle it all for me w/ no lawyerYou handle it all w/ lawyerI want to enter mediationHelping out a friendHow long have you been married?*Marriage lengthLess than 5 yearsMore than 5 yearsDo you own a home?* Yes No Do you have less than $43k in assets excluding home?* Yes No Your name* First Last Email* State*StateCaliforniaColoradoUtahTexasTerms* I agree to the terms CAPTCHA *Required Δ Before I Read More

How to Slay Your Divorce Negotiations Like a Seasoned Pro

Process, Spouse

I’ll admit it. I don’t have a magic wand. I wish I did! But what I do have is 15 years of experience helping people navigate out of their marriage in integrity. I’ve settled the toughest issues that come up in divorce and acquired some proven techniques along the way. And what you have on your side – more than any lawyer or mediator, is a deep understanding of your spouse. You know exactly what you can say or do to emotionally trigger them and more importantly, how to communicate in a way that your ex feels seen and/or heard. Why is this important? Because it doesn’t matter how much law you have on your side, it won’t get you anywhere

How to Survive Living With Your Ex During Covid

Kids, Planning, Spouse

I have seen at least 5 articles lately about how “quarantining with my ex changed my life for the better” and while I am thrilled for them, I have had a very different experience. After speaking with a few of our awesome clients and listening to how challenging the last few months have been for them — I thought I’d weigh in and provide a few tips for navigating life when your ex is still living with you. Make it about you — not your ex I know, easier said than done. But, the best part about a breakup is how much you learn about yourself and in so doing, how alive it makes you feel. If you prioritize self-growth

I’m Getting a Divorce. Which Service Should I Choose?

Planning, Process

You are smart. (if we may say so) You've decided to get some help with your divorce because you recognize that apart from it being a 'time suck' and an emotional drain, divorce itself is complex and has significant implications. Going at it completely alone feels overwhelming and a bit risky. That being said, you don't want to spend anywhere close to the average cost of divorce — $26,300. Yikes! You also want to work toward an agreement — one way or another. Maybe you're already ready to rock and you need some help from a lawyer or mediator, but no matter what you are committed to getting through this without a messy court battle. NOW WHAT? At Hello Divorce Read More

I’ve Been Served With a Divorce Petition in California, Now What?

Planning, Process

You have now received a Divorce Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110). If you have minor children with your spouse, you likely also received a UCCJEA* form (FL-105). So, now what? First Sign and return the Notice & Acknowledgment of Receipt (FL-117) to avoid personal service (i.e. a third party, often a “process server,” showing up at your doorstep or workplace). By signing the Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt (NAOR) you are acknowledging receipt of the documents and starting the 6 month waiting period. By signing the NAOR, you have triggered another important timeline – you must decide if you are going to file a “Response” (FL-120), and if so, you must it do it within 30 days from signing the

Q&A: Ashley Simpo on Co-mothering, Journaling and Goal Setting

By Erin Levine in Blog, Coparenting, Divorce, Helping a Friend, Inspiration, Tips, Wellness | Posted August 25, 2020

A couple of weeks ago I came across an article about two best friends living in NYC who were struggling to find affordable housing — and realized the best option was to move in together with their kids to save money. How awesome is that? One of these trailblazers is Ashley Simpo, the author of one of my favorite book recommendations, “A Kids Book About Divorce.” I got curious and I pseudo-stalked her online. What I found was that Ashley

Should I Hire a Non-Attorney Mediator?

Planning

Should I consider hiring a divorce mediator who is not an attorney? The family law structure in this country is super complex. It’s managed to make a tragic situation — the death of a marriage — so complex that it is difficult to navigate without help. Plus, there is potential for conflict during every step of the divorce process. To avoid a potentially contentious courtroom situation, many divorcing couples turn to mediation to work through their issues and come to an agreement on all aspects of their divorce. Mediation is guided by a neutral third party who is trained to help couples resolve disputes. Oftentimes attorneys serve as mediators. While attorneys are well-versed in the law of divorce, they may

How to DIY Pro Your California Divorce

Planning, Process

Californians looking for an easier way to complete their divorce in California can utilize Hello Divorce’s fill in the blank divorce paperwork through our Divorce Navigator. It’s a game-changer for DIY divorce. Our web application allows you to complete the 20+ forms required for California divorce in plain language. You can do it on your own, at your own pace, without having to fork out tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees. The average cost of divorce in California is $27,000 – per person. At Hello Divorce, we’ve managed to bring that average down to $1,500. Throughout the entire divorce, you have a legal document assistant who processes and files your paperwork with the court. At any point, if you need

All the Info and Documents You Need for Financial Disclosures in California

Planning, Process, Property & Debt

Most of our clients are surprised to hear that even when they’ve reached a full agreement on all divorce-related issues, financial disclosures are still required for the Petitioner (and in some counties, the Respondent, too). Below is a list of the documents needed to complete your mandatory financial disclosures (Step 2) – as a Hello Divorce member, our software will simplify and organize these documents for you. Summary of Mandatory Documents Last 2 years of filed tax returns Last 2 months of employment paystubs Business owner? Profit and Loss Report for the previous 2 years and Year-to-date Most recent checking and/or credit union account(s) statement(s) Most recent savings account(s) statement(s) Most recent brokerage account(s) statements(s) Most recent mortgage statement(s) Most

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