Tips for Court Ordered Child Custody Mediation
What is child custody mediation? If you and your former partner are unable to agree on child custody and/or visitation issues, you both will be required to participate…
Process
Regardless of what stage of the divorce process you are in, chances are you would benefit from two things: (1) guidance on the procedural stuff and (2) a plan to get you from point A (separated) to point B (happily divorced).
These resources will keep you on track and answer questions when your spouse (or life) throws a curve ball. The best divorce is a strategic one. Read on to learn to plan and strategize your position on each issue relevant to your case, move your divorce along and keep costs down.
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10 Tips for the Self Represented in Family Court
Are you representing yourself? Are you scheduled to go in front of a judge? Follow these 10 tips before your court date: Be Prepared; Understand your judge (consider…
Help, my spouse is missing!
I often get asked the question: I want to file a Divorce or other Family Law action but I don’t know where the Respondent is? Can I proceed?…
What is a Legal Coach and should I get one?
Depending on the complexity of your case and your financial circumstances, a legal coach (aka consulting lawyer) may be a great way to obtain assistance with your Divorce…
Why mediate your legal matter?
Benefits of Mediation Privacy If you reach an agreement in mediation, you do not have to appear in front of a judge or walk into a public courtroom.…
Child Custody Recommending Counseling and Mediation: What’s the Difference?
In a case involving children where the parties have not agreed on a parenting plan, the Family Law Court mandates that parents “mediate” prior to a hearing on…
7 Tips for Collecting Your Family Law Money Judgment
So you have spent months (or maybe even years) reaching a resolution in your matter, but the process is not over yet. If you received a money judgment…
A Quickie Divorce?
We have all heard the horror stories: “my divorce lasted longer than my marriage” or “it dragged out for years.” Thankfully, if you have minimal assets and are…
Tips for a Successful Mediation
Mediation works when it is done right. It can be a fabulous way of reducing animosity, finalizing a divorce quickly and efficiently, keeping your personal life and private…
You, Your Spouse, and…. (3rd Parties Joined to Divorce Actions)
Most people are aware that in Divorce or Domestic Partnership Dissolution, certain employee benefit plans can be joined to the action to ensure that retirement accounts are divided…
Divorce Court 101
Most people who end up in a family law courtroom have never been to court before. Perhaps they’ve served on a jury or appeared for a traffic infraction…
What is Financial Discovery?
Not all Family Law cases require financial discovery. However, there are many cases in which a spouse must take the extra step of investigating all financial issues of…
Rules of Engagement in Divorce: Play Fair or Pay Up
Between the time the divorce petition is filed and the final entry of judgment, parties are under the purview of the Family Court System. This allows parties to…
Finalizing the Divorce that Won’t Quit
We’ve resolved all issues but I don’t know what to do next? Even uncontested divorces can be tricky to finalize when you are not an experienced divorce lawyer.…
Do I Need an Attorney?
I am getting divorced, and I think it’s pretty simple. My spouse and I get along pretty well, all things considered. Lawyers can be so expensive – so…
How Can I Enforce a Court Order?
My ex and I are divorced with two children. We have a visitation schedule in place, but the kids are always picked-up late, or not at all, and…
FAQ: How Do I “Serve” My Spouse with a Divorce?
I keep hearing that I have to ‘serve’ my spouse for a divorce. What does this mean, and how can I do it? The law affords everyone ‘due…
How Much Will a Divorce Cost?
I want to get my divorce resolved with as little expense possible, and have decided to represent myself to avoid lawyer’s fees. How much will it cost me…
What Are My Options if I Want to End My Marriage?
There are three ways to end a marriage in California – you can get divorced, legally separated, or have an annulment. Only one party needs to want to…
How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce?
The answer – as usual – is ‘it depends.’ First, before you can even file the paperwork, you must ensure that at least one of you is a…
What Is a QDRO?
A QDRO (pronounced ‘Quad-ro’ for those in the know) stands for a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. This is basically an order from the court that recognizes a non-account…
How Do I File for Divorce if I’m Representing Myself?
I have decided to represent myself in my family law case – how do I even start? In pro per, pro se party, in propria person, they all…
Complete List of CA Divorce Forms, with Links
Petition (FL-100): This is the document that initializes your divorce with the Court. It is the first thing you file and requires a $435 filing fee. Download Petition…
How to Prepare for Your Meeting with Your Lawyer or Divorce Coach
You have decided to take the next step towards your divorce and have scheduled a meeting with a lawyer or legal coach and are wondering what to do…
10 Tips to Make Your Divorce Easier and Less Costly
10 Tips to help you achieve a swift, amicable and fair divorce. Download Now
Glossary of Terms
Legalese made easy. This document has all of the terms you’re likely to hear and their definitions in plain English. Download Now
Ten Important Laws You Need to Know About (if You’re Getting a Divorce)
Spousal Support (Family Code Section 4320): While pre judgment spousal support is generally calculated using a formula, long term spousal support is determined by review of various factors.…
Divorce Process Flow Chart
Visualize the divorce process start to finish with this handy flow chart which explains all the steps that need to be taken before you can toast to your…
The Hello Divorce Worksheet
This worksheet breaks down all of the things you need to think through and resolve before you can finalize your divorce. Download Now
Five Reasons Your Divorce Judgment May Have Been Rejected (& What to Do about It)
You have spent hours poring over all of the forms necessary to finalize your divorce. You researched online, browsed a DIY book, and maybe even had a meeting or…
Changing a Child’s Last Name
What’s in a name? Well, for some people, a lot. At divorce, one parent may want to change their child’s last name. Usually this involves creating a hyphenated…
Five Points to Consider if You or Your Spouse Has a Business
1. A Business Is an Asset Though the spouse who owns the business may feel proprietary over it, a business is an asset. And because it is an…
What is the Legal Status of Your Case?
Wondering whether your JUDGMENT has been processed by the court? Concerned that your spouse has filed a request for child support without notifying you? In most counties you…
Spousal Support A-Z
One of the key issues that arises in a divorce proceeding is spousal support, aka alimony. Spousal support comes in two varieties, temporary spousal support and long-term spousal…
The Buck Stops Here: Options for Long-Term Spousal Support
So here you are, trying to figure out whether long-term spousal support is going to be ordered and how much it would be. You have already been told…
10 Tips for Writing a Persuasive Family Law Declaration (to Attach to Your Request for Orders)
A declaration is a written statement made under the penalty of perjury. If you are filing a “Request for Order” (or responding to a “Request for Order”) asking…
10+ (non legal) Essential Apps to Rely on While Uncoupling
Getting unmarried can sometimes be as expensive, insanely time consuming and detail driven as planning your wedding. When we tie the knot in the first place, we use…
Instructions for Restoring your Maiden Name
Many people change their names when they get married, but when they get divorced, some individuals wish to have their former name restored. If you would like to…
Your Hello Divorce “Cheat Sheet” to Self Representation
If you’re navigating divorce without legal representation, we’ve got your back! Review this outline to understand what will happen throughout the divorce and what you need to do.…
About Child Custody Evaluations
As Explained by an Experienced Evaluator: When parents cannot come to agreements about their children and/or a parenting schedule, one or both may file a “Request for Order”…
Family Court & Child Custody 101
From the Perspective of an Experienced Co-Parenting Therapist: When parents with children get divorced or separated and they are unable to agree on a parenting schedule and/or other…
Divide, Buyout or Cash-out Retirement Accounts?
There are several types of retirement benefits that you or your spouse may have. The IRS provides descriptions of the different plans here. The most common plans we…
Property and Debt Division Cheat Sheet
When and Why When: When you and your spouse are ready to dive into the ‘nitty-gritty’ and divide you assets and debts. You can use this spreadsheet for everything…
Dividing Personal Property Spreadsheet Example
Furniture, Art, and Miscellaneous Item Agreement Apportioning personal property (think: furniture, furnishings, sporting/ camping equipment, tools, antiques, appliances, wedding gifts, etc.) can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips…
When are Attorney Fees Awarded in a Divorce Action?
It’s no secret that hiring an attorney is expensive. Even if you are using a lawyer on a ‘limited scope’ basis to help you only with strategy or…
Emails & Divorce: Five Things You Need to Know
For many of us, email is a primary method of communication for everything from connecting with family members and friends to running our businesses and talking to our…
Should I File a Response?
If you have been served with the Summons (FL-110) and Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (FL-100), you are the Respondent. The Petition tells you what your spouse is…
Which Type of Mediation Will Work Best for You? The Three Types – Explained
Wondering what type of Mediator is right for you? Michael Lubofsky shares an informative resource explaining the three general types of mediation services. If one or more of…
What County and Courthouse Do I File for Divorce in?
So you’ve made the decision to file for divorce. You need to know what county to file your paperwork in and what address should be used on your…
A Petition and Response Has Been Filed, What’s Next?
After both parties have filed and served their initial documents, the Petition, Summons and Response (Step 1), the real work begins. Step 2 is deciding if you need…
How to Keep Your Divorce Conversations Productive
First things first. If you want to negotiate an agreement with your spouse, you have to remember (and accept) the following principles: Be mindful that your purpose is…
Oh No! I Missed the Deadline to Respond to My Spouse’s Petition for Divorce. What Do I Do Now?
If you missed the deadline to file your Response to the Petition (30 days after the date of personal service), you will first need to confirm whether or…
Presenting Evidence in Family Court
Most people (even some lawyers) don’t expect the Evidence Code to apply in family law — in the same way that we see it used in Criminal or…
Tips for Getting Your Spouse On Board with Mediation
Mediation, whether through Hello Divorce, with a trained mediation counselor or a divorce financial planner, can be a great option for resolving the issues pertaining to your divorce.…
Your Spouse Did Not Respond to Your Petition for Divorce. What Happens Next?
After you have served the Petition, your spouse has 30 calendar days to “respond”. By respond, we mean filing a “Response” (FL-12).If the thirtieth day falls on a…
My spouse can earn more but refuses to. How is this handled for purposes of Child Support?
When we calculate child support, we generally use the actual incomes of both spouses. But what happens when your spouse is under earning? That is, s/he is working…
What to Wear to Court
Ok, we know our readers are smart and understand that appropriate attire is necessary for court. We’ve listed some suggested (and mandatory) guidelines below. Our readers also know…
Pre-Leaving Checklist
If you have one foot out the door, you may be tempted to run and as fast as you can. But before you do, it’s important to do…
Mandatory Financial Disclosures: In a Nutshell
In California, each party to a divorce is required to complete a set of mandatory documents entitled “Preliminary Declaration of Disclosures” prior to any Judge or Commissioner granting…
FAQ: What is a divorce by default?
As if “divorce by default” isn’t a foreign enough term on its own, we get the wonderful opportunity to inform you that there are actually two types. Both…
What Are the Different Types of Court Hearings I Might Have to Attend?
The most common type of hearings in Family Court are related to child support, spousal support and/or child custody. These hearings are scheduled after one spouse files a…
What is Contempt?
In the course of your divorce, the family court may issue a range of orders, including visitation and custody determinations, orders to pay attorney’s fees, and divisions of…
Family Court Custody Mediation vs. Private Mediation: Which Should I Choose?
When a Request for Order (RFO) for child custody or visitation is filed with Family Court the parties are required to attend mediation or child custody recommending counseling…
Judgment Checklist
Use our checklist to ensure that you have completed every document you could possibly need to get your Divorce Judgment past those pesky clerks and into the hands…
Special Considerations for Your Same Sex Divorce
We have all heard the good news. California no longer recognizes a distinction between same-sex and opposite-sex marriages. Any couple can now obtain a marriage license and wed,…
How to Get a New Judge to Hear Your Case
Help! My judge clearly has different religious or ethical views than I do. How can I get a new judge to ensure my hearing is unbiased? This can…