Services We Provide

We provide affordable family law form preparation services for individuals handling uncontested family law matters and certain post-judgment requests involving custody, visitation, and child support modifications. Our services are designed for people who already know what they want to request from the court and need assistance preparing the necessary Judicial Council forms and related paperwork.

This may include uncontested divorces, parentage matters, requests to modify existing court orders, and other cooperative family law matters where the parties are generally able to work together toward resolution without extensive litigation.

When a case becomes contested, however, legal advice and legal strategy may become necessary. Contested cases often involve disagreements regarding custody, parenting schedules, financial obligations, property division, support calculations, or enforcement of court orders. Only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice, recommend legal strategies, represent you in court, or advise you on what decisions may be best for your particular situation.

As a Paralegal and Legal Document Assistant (LDA), I am not permitted to give legal advice or tell clients what they should do in their case. However, I can provide general legal information, explain the purpose of court forms, assist with procedural understanding, and prepare documents at the client’s specific direction. My role is to help clients better understand the paperwork process while providing professional, organized, and affordable document preparation support.

Common Questions

Are you trying to start a divorce?

A divorce case, also known in California as a Dissolution of Marriage, is the legal process used to end a marriage or registered domestic partnership. Divorce cases can involve many different issues, including division of property and debts, child custody, visitation schedules, child support, spousal support, and reimbursement claims between spouses.

Some divorces are relatively simple and uncontested, while others become contested when the parties disagree on financial matters, parenting arrangements, or support issues. California is a no-fault divorce state, which means one spouse does not have to prove wrongdoing in order to request a divorce. Even when both parties agree to end the marriage, there are still required forms, disclosures, filing procedures, and waiting periods that must be completed before the divorce can become final.

Are you trying to establish paternity?

A paternity case is used to legally establish who the child’s legal father is. These cases are commonly filed when the parents were never married to each other at the time the child was born. Establishing paternity is important because it creates legal rights and responsibilities involving the child, including custody, visitation, and child support.

Paternity cases may involve parents who generally agree about the child, or they may involve disputes about parentage itself. In some situations, genetic testing may be requested through the court. Once paternity is established, the court can then make orders regarding parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, and financial support for the child.

Are you requesting custody or visitation orders?

Custody and visitation cases focus on parenting arrangements for minor children. Legal custody refers to decision-making authority involving matters such as education, healthcare, and general welfare. Physical custody refers to where the child primarily lives. Visitation orders establish when and how the noncustodial parent spends time with the child.

Some parents are able to work together and create parenting plans cooperatively, while others may struggle with communication, scheduling conflicts, relocation issues, or concerns involving the child’s safety and well-being. Courts generally focus on what they believe to be in the best interest of the child when making custody and visitation decisions.

You can address custody and visitation arrangements and orders in a divorce case or a paternity case. You must open a case first.

Are you trying to obtain child support?

Child support cases involve financial contributions for the care and support of a minor child. California uses statewide guideline formulas that take into account several factors, including each parent’s income, parenting timeshare, tax filing status, health insurance costs, and allowable deductions.

Child support orders may be requested in divorce cases, paternity matters, or custody proceedings. In some situations, support orders may later need to be modified if there has been a significant change in circumstances, such as job loss, income changes, or changes in custody arrangements.

When does child support end?

Child support ends when a minor child has reached the age of 18 and graduated from high school. If a minor child does not graduate from high school, then support can continue until the child reaches the age of 19. In some unique circumstances, the court can order child support to continue beyond 19. However, those circumstances are very rare.

Are you responding to court papers?

Being served with court papers means another person has already filed a family law case involving you. The documents you receive may include a Petition, Summons, Request for Order, financial disclosures, or other court forms.

Responding properly and on time is important because failing to respond may allow the other party to move forward without your participation. Depending on the type of documents served, you may need to file a formal Response with the court, attend a hearing, exchange financial information, or comply with other deadlines.

Understanding The Process

Starting a divorce in California begins when one spouse files a request with the court to legally end the marriage. Once the case is filed, the other spouse must be formally served with the court paperwork and given legal notice of the case. Proper service is an important part of the process because the court must be satisfied that both parties have been properly informed and given an opportunity to participate.

After service is completed, the parties are generally required to exchange financial information and complete certain procedural requirements before the case can move forward. However, in some cases, only one person drives the case to completion. If the required paperwork and disclosures are properly completed, the court may review and approve a Judgment for Dissolution ending the marriage.

California law also requires a mandatory waiting period of six months and one day before a divorce can become legally final. Once the waiting period has expired and the judgment has been entered by the court, the parties are officially divorced.

Just Ask A Paralegal can assist you from beginning to end in this process.

Important Notice and Disclaimer

This website and the services offered provides legal education and document preparation services only and is not a law firm. No attorney-client relationship is created through the use of this website, its educational materials, or its services. Only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice or legal representation.