A Work Continually In Progress
The "Assistant" part of my job provides many benefits & this is one of them. The links below may be able to assist you in your quest for self-help. Legal Document Assistants are not attorneys. We are not allowed to advise or consult. We are allowed to provide you with the current written law in publication.
Self-Help Publications:
"GOING TO COURT WITHOUT A LAWYER" Handbook for Litigants *Free - Click Link
A guide for Handling Uncontested DIVORCE, LEGAL SEPARATION, ANNULMENT
Provided free of charge; for a copy please call the Center for Families, Children & the Courts at 415.865.7739 or write to:
Judicial Council of California
Center for Families, Children & the Courts
Attn: Equal Access
455 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA94102
www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/additionalinfo/documents/Going_to_Court_Without_a_Lawyer.pdf
“GUIDE TO A BETTER DIVORCE*” *Free - Click Link
For California cases with minor children and real estate or retirement funds
Ed Sherman – CA family law attorney
Nolo Press Occidental Excerpted and adapted from the book, “Make Any Divorce Better”
"HOW TO DO YOUR OWN DIVORCE IN CALIFORNIA" 33rd Edition
A Guide for Petitioners and Respondents: Ed Sherman Divorce Specialist Attorney
Nolo Press Occidental; 32nd Edition (February 2010)
ISBN: 0944508723 ISBN-13: 978-0944508725 $20.00 - $35.00
"HOW TO SOLVE DIVORCE PROBLEMS IN CALIFORNIA In 2010:
Managing a Contested Divorce - In or Out of Court: Ed Sherman Divorce Specialist Attorney
Nolo Press Occidental (March 01, 2010)
ISBN: 0944508731 ISBN-13: 978-0944508732 $20.00 - $35.00
"A JUDGE'S GUIDE TO DIVORCE - Uncommon Advice From The Bench" 1st Edition
An Inside View On Why You Should Keep Your Case Out Of Divorce Court:
Judge Roderic Duncan
NOLO; 1 Pap/Com edition (January 15, 2007)
ISBN-10: 1413305687 ISBN-13: 978-1413305685 $15.00 - $25.00
"NOLO'S ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO DIVORCE"
Emily Doskow
NOLO; 1 edition (September 15, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1413308910 ISBN-13: 978-1413308914 $15.00 - $30.00
Before You File
Free Informative Workshop Presented by the Self-HelpCenter, San MateoCountySuperior Court
1st, 3rd, and 5th Monday of Each Month (Court holidays excluded)
1:30 p.m. at the San MateoCountyLaw Library – 710 Hamilton Street – Redwood City 1st Floor Conference Room
For Information, Please Call 650.599.1770
You Have Filed…Now What?
Free Informative Workshop Presented by the Self-HelpCenter, San MateoCountySuperior Court
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month (Court holidays excluded)
1:30 p.m. at the San MateoCountyLaw Library – 710 Hamilton Street – Redwood City 1st Floor Conference Room
For Information, Please Call 650.599.1770
Self-HelpCenter / Family Law Facilitator
The office of the Family Law Facilitator provides free services to help people who do not have private attorneys. The office is located on the 2nd floor in the Southern Branch:
Hall of Justice and Records
400 County Center
Redwood CityCalifornia94063
650.363.4590
Hours at this location are:
Monday-Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Divorce workshops: Tuesdays at 1:15 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8:45 a.m., Taller de Divorcio en español todos los lunes a las 8:45 a.m. y todos los jueves a las 1:15 p.m.
The Family Law Facilitator also has office hours at the Northern Branch:
Hall of Justice
1050 Old Mission Road
South San Francisco, CA94080
650.877.5705
Hours at this location are:
Tuesday 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Divorce workshops: Tuesdays @ 9:00 a.m.
At both locations, individuals are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. As a courtesy, a sign up sheet for each session is posted at 8:00 a.m. for the morning sessions and at noon for the afternoon sessions. Priority is given to people with restraining orders or those who have been referred directly from the courtroom by a judge.
All persons who are in "Pro Per" and acting as their own attorney, are encouraged to have their forms reviewed by the Family Law Facilitator before filing or presenting the papers to the Court.
The Family Law Facilitators provide general information and referrals. They will review your paperwork and help you obtain:
Initial orders or modifications for child custody, visitation, child, or spousal support
Domestic violence restraining orders [For help filling out the forms to request a Domestic Violence Restraining Order, please go to Bay Area Legal Aid's
Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinic.
Initiating an action to establish paternity
Dissolution (divorce), legal separation, nullity
Responses to any of the above
Fee waivers (if you cannot afford the court filing fees)
Income and expense declarations
The Family Law Facilitator also calculates child and spousal support under the CaliforniaState guidelines, assists both parties to prepare stipulations (agreements) regarding child custody, visitation, child and spousal support, and prepares orders for parties who have come from a court hearing.
Although the Facilitators are attorneys, they do not represent you and can only give you general information about the law and your case. Please see a private attorney for a consultation before you begin your legal proceedings to learn about your legal rights.
For help filling out the forms to request a Domestic Violence Restraining Order, please go to Bay Area Legal Aid's
Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinic.
* The Family Law Facilitator will assist anyone wishing to start a divorce (dissolution) or legal separation only in one of our workshops. Also, anyone wishing to file a response to a divorce (dissolution) or legal separation may attend the workshops. The workshops are available on a drop-in basis, or you may pre-register. Registration is only in-person; in Redwood City at the Family Law Facilitator's Office and in South San Francisco at the Clerk's Office.
Sandy@CivilSplit.com
1000 Park Place, Suite S San Mateo, CA 94403-7113 T:650.212.4845 F:650.212.4844
Trademark ® 2007-2010 Civil Split LLC