How to Do Your Own Divorce in California in 2012: Everything You Need for an Uncontested Divorce

For over 40 years this is THE book Californians turn to when facing divorce. Because of this book, about 60% of all California divorces go through the court system without the help (not to mention the expense and contentiousness) of lawyers, and over the years have saved untold BILLIONS of dollars in legal fees. This book shows you how to: Understand the rules and standards for a California divorce Decide what's fair and you want in your settlement agreement File a Petition or a Response Make a Settlement Agreement Get your Judgment It also includes: Practical advice Step-by-step instructions Forms you will need Free help with local forms Free update service The first part explains in detail how the law says you can divide your property and settle issues of custody, visitation and child support. It discusses the implications of doing your own divorce, how to start a divorce, how to serve divorce papers, California residency requirements, mandatory disclosure, the difference between retaining and just using an attorney, how to solve problems that come up, when you should get some help,how much your divorce will cost, and much more. The second part guides you through the court process step by step - how to complete each of the forms and file them with the court clerk; when to file each form; the waiting periods to expect between steps; and how to get through your court appearance or even avoid a court appearance altogether. The book also describes how domestic partners can use the instructions and forms in the book to legally terminate their domestic partnership. The back of the book contains blank tear-out copies of all the court forms needed for an uncontested dissolution. The book also includes a CD-ROM that contains the court forms plus many resources including the Settlement Agreement, worksheets, and trial versions of CalSupport(tm) child and spousal support software and DealMaker settlement agreement software.