How to Do Your Own Divorce in California: A Guide for Petitioners and Respondents

by Sherman, Ed

• ISBN13: 9780944508350
• ISBN10: 0944508359
• Edition: 25th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-02-01
• Publisher: Pub Group West

Summary

The bible of the do-it-yourself, California out-of-court divorce is updated with the latest rules and standards. All current forms, forms software, articles, and resources are found on the CD-ROM. Photos, charts and illustrations.

Table of Contents

Part One --- All About Divorce
Doing Your Own Divorce	11	(10)
Can you do your own divorce? Shouldyou?
What ``do your own divorce'' means
What it means to ``retain'' an attorney---and a better alternative
Advantages to doing your own divorce
How to start a divorce---Petitioners and Respondents
Three ways to get it done
Solving divorce problems
When you should get some help
Who can help? How much will it cost?
Basic Information About Divorce	21	(8)
Dissolution, nullity, and legal separation
Regular dissolution vs. summary dissolution
Grounds for dissolution
Residency requirements
Serving papers---giving notice to your spouse
Jurisdiction and the power of the court to act
Automatic restraining orders
Mandatory disclosure of all marital information
When is it over? How final is your Judgment?
Taxes
Common questions and answers
Dividing Property and Debts	29	(12)
Income, debts and your date of separation
Management of property and the duty spouses owe each other
Duty to disclose all information
Cases where there is no property
Cases where there is some property
Understanding your estate
Taxes
Wills and insurance beneficiaries
Children: Custody and Visitation	41	(8)
Child Support and Spousal Support (Alimony)	49	(10)
Marital Settlement Agreements (and why you should have one in almost every case)	59	(12)
Part Two --- How to do your own Regular Dissolution
Doing your own forms	71	(8)
Check list	79	(2)
The Summons	81	(2)
The Petition	83	(8)
The Response	91	(6)
How to serve papers on your spouse	97	(6)
The Proof of Service	103	(6)
The Declarations of Disclosure	109	(8)
The Property Declaration	117	(4)
The financial forms	121	(6)
The Request to Enter Default	127	(2)
How to fill out the Judgment	129	(16)
The Wage Assignment Order	145	(4)
How to get your Judgment	149	(14)
The Notice of Entry of Judgment	163	(3)
Part Three --- How to do your own Summary Dissolution
Mail order divorce	166	(1)
How to fill out the forms	167	(2)
Blank Forms	169