Your Guide to the Divorce Process

How Legal Express Helps With Your Divorce

Our role is to provide you with the necessary documents to navigate your case through the divorce process. You make every decision; we prepare the paperwork in the appropriate court format, at your specific direction.

Your responsibility is to complete the simple questionnaires, or “workbooks,” we provide. These easy-to-complete workbooks walk you through the decisions you have made about whatever applies to your particular situation, including:

• The division of assets and debts acquired throughout the marriage;
• Custody and visitation arrangements for minor children;
• Child support; and
• Whether there will be spousal support — and if so, how much and for how long.

We can only get the job done when you have given us the information we need, so utilize any checklist or step-by-step guide offered by your Legal Express representative.

Child Support

Child support is mandatory in all actions involving minor children. Petitioners with minor children must include an order for child support — even if the other parent is unemployed or cannot be found. California uses statewide guidelines: a standard method for figuring out child support payments based on the income of the parent(s) and other factors set by state law. When support differs from the guideline amount, the court must state the amount that would have been ordered under the guidelines and the reasons the support ordered is in the best interests of the child.

Spousal Support

Spousal support — historically known as “alimony” — is not mandatory. However, if the circumstances are such that a spouse will face hardship without financial support after the divorce, spousal support should be considered. The deciding factor is the need to maintain the spouse at his or her customary standard of living: the law recognizes that a spouse should not be forced to live at a level below that enjoyed during the marriage.

Helpful Terms

Family Law Court

A court that hears family matters, like divorce (“dissolution”), legal separation, annulment of marriage or domestic partnerships, child custody and support, and domestic violence petitions.

Fee Waiver

Permission not to pay the court's filing fees. People with very low income can ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form.

Guidelines

In family law, a standard method for figuring out child support payments based on the income of the parent(s) and other factors according to state law.

In Propria Persona (In Pro Per)

When a person represents himself or herself without a lawyer — from the Latin for “in one's own proper person.”

Legal Express provides document preparation services at your specific direction. Our services are not a substitute for the services of an attorney. If you feel your situation requires legal advice or representation, we suggest you consult an attorney — free attorney referrals are available.