How to Simplify the Divorce Process with Step-by-Step Planning | Los Angeles Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

How to Simplify the Divorce Process with Step-by-Step Planning

Divorce can be one of the most challenging and emotionally draining experiences a person faces. The sheer amount of paperwork, deadlines, and emotional hurdles often leaves people feeling overwhelmed and stuck. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a clear, step-by-step plan, you can take control of your divorce, reduce stress, and move forward with confidence and clarity.

My name is Tim Blankenship from Divorce661, and over the years, I’ve helped many clients navigate the complexities of divorce in California. One of the biggest factors that separates a smooth divorce from a chaotic one is having a clear roadmap. When you know exactly what to expect and what comes next, the process becomes manageable and less intimidating.

Why Does Divorce Feel So Overwhelming?

Many people get stuck during their divorce not because the process is inherently complicated, but because they don’t have a clear plan. The legal system can seem like a maze of forms, deadlines, and procedures. Add the emotional weight of ending a marriage, and it’s easy to feel paralyzed.

Without a roadmap, it’s hard to know what step to take next, which leads to delays, confusion, and unnecessary stress. But when you break the divorce process down into manageable phases, it becomes much easier to handle.

The Five Essential Phases of Divorce

At Divorce661, we simplify the divorce process by dividing it into five clear phases:

  1. File
  2. Serve
  3. Disclose
  4. Agree
  5. Finalize

Let’s explore each phase in detail so you know exactly what to expect and how to keep your case moving forward smoothly.

1. File: Starting Your Divorce Case

The first step is filing the divorce petition with the court. This officially opens your case and sets the legal process in motion. Filing involves submitting the necessary documents that state your intent to dissolve the marriage and outline your requests regarding support, custody, property division, and more.

While this step might seem straightforward, it’s important to ensure all paperwork is completed accurately to avoid delays. At Divorce661, we handle all the paperwork for you, so you don’t have to worry about making mistakes or missing forms.

2. Serve: Notifying Your Spouse Legally

Once the petition is filed, the next critical step is serving your spouse with the divorce papers. Legal service means your spouse is formally notified about the divorce and has an opportunity to respond.

Proper service is essential because if it’s not done correctly, the court may not recognize your case, which can stall everything. We make sure your spouse is served legally and properly, so there are no hiccups at this stage.

3. Disclose: Sharing Financial Information

After service, both parties enter the disclosure phase. This involves exchanging detailed information about income, assets, debts, and property. Full financial disclosure is a cornerstone of a fair divorce settlement and helps prevent surprises down the road.

Disclosures can be daunting because they require transparency and honesty. However, this phase is crucial to understanding what is on the table and what each party is entitled to. At Divorce661, we guide you through this process, helping you organize and submit the necessary financial documents accurately.

4. Agree: Negotiating and Drafting the Settlement

Once disclosures are complete, the next phase is reaching an agreement. If both parties can agree on how to divide assets, debts, and custody arrangements, you can draft a settlement agreement that outlines these terms clearly.

This agreement is the foundation for finalizing your divorce. It can prevent costly court battles and help maintain a more amicable relationship, which is especially important if children are involved.

5. Finalize: Wrapping Up Your Divorce

The final step is submitting your settlement agreement along with a judgment package to the court. Once the judge approves it, your divorce is finalized.

At Divorce661, we manage all court filings and deadlines to ensure your case moves smoothly to completion. We handle the paperwork so you can focus on moving forward with your life.

A Real Client Story: From Overwhelmed to Finalized in 30 Days

Let me share a recent example that shows how effective step-by-step planning can be. We worked with a couple who felt completely stuck after filing their divorce. They were overwhelmed by the paperwork and unsure what to do next.

By laying out a clear timeline with specific action items for each phase—filing, serving, disclosing, agreeing, and finalizing—they were able to move forward steadily. Within 30 days, they completed disclosures, finalized their agreement, and submitted their judgment package.

This turnaround was possible because they had a simple, manageable plan that kept them on track and eliminated guesswork. Their experience is a perfect example of how a clear roadmap can transform the divorce process from chaotic to controlled.

How Divorce661 Simplifies Your Divorce

At Divorce661, we believe divorce doesn’t have to be confusing or chaotic. Our approach is designed to give you structure, support, and peace of mind throughout your case.

  • Flat-Fee Divorce: No surprises or hourly charges, just one clear price.
  • Clear Milestones: We provide a step-by-step plan from start to finish so you always know what’s done and what’s next.
  • Complete Paperwork and Court Filings: We handle all the paperwork and court filings for you.
  • 100% Remote Process: No court visits, no stress—everything can be done from the comfort of your home.

Our goal is to take the stress and guesswork out of your divorce so you can move forward faster and more peacefully.

What to Expect at Each Step

Understanding what happens at each phase of your divorce can help you stay calm and focused. Here’s a quick summary of what to expect:

  • Filing: Prepare and submit your divorce petition to open your case.
  • Serving: Ensure your spouse receives legal notice of the divorce.
  • Disclosing: Exchange financial documents and information transparently.
  • Agreeing: Negotiate terms and draft a settlement agreement.
  • Finalizing: Submit paperwork to the court and receive your divorce judgment.

Each step builds on the last, so staying organized and proactive is essential.

Take Control of Your Divorce Today

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your divorce, remember that the key to simplifying the process is having a clear, step-by-step plan. Knowing what comes next keeps you in control and reduces anxiety.

At Divorce661, we specialize in guiding you through every phase of your divorce with clarity and care. Whether you’re just starting or have been stuck for weeks, we can help you move forward with confidence.

Visit Divorce661.com for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through your case, handle the paperwork and deadlines, and help you reach the finish line faster and more peacefully.

What Step of the Divorce Process Feels Most Confusing to You?

Divorce is different for everyone, and some steps may feel more challenging than others. Whether it’s serving papers, financial disclosures, or drafting agreements, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Feel free to share your questions or concerns in the comments or reach out directly for personalized support. Remember, you don’t have to navigate this alone — with the right plan and guidance, you can simplify your divorce and start your new chapter with confidence.

 

How To Get Your California Divorce Done Right The First Time | California Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

How To Get Your California Divorce Done Right The First Time

When it comes to navigating divorce in California, many individuals find themselves overwhelmed by the paperwork and legal procedures involved. If you’re considering a divorce, you might be tempted to tackle the process on your own. However, the reality is that divorce can be complex and confusing. In this article, we’ll explore why it’s crucial to get your California divorce done right the first time, and how utilizing a professional service can save you time, stress, and headaches down the road.

The Complexity of Divorce Paperwork

One of the first hurdles in the divorce process is the paperwork. Many people underestimate how complicated it can be. The forms required can be extensive and must be filled out with precision. A single mistake, such as missing a checkbox or misinterpreting a question, can lead to significant delays. This is where the value of a professional service becomes evident. We specialize in handling these nuances, ensuring that everything is completed correctly from the start.

Time Consumption and Frustration

Divorce is often a lengthy process. Many individuals who try to handle their divorce without professional assistance report spending months, even years, attempting to finalize their cases. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it seems like progress is constantly being derailed by paperwork issues or court requirements. By choosing to work with a service like ours, you can streamline the process and avoid unnecessary delays.

Common Pitfalls of DIY Divorce

It’s not uncommon for individuals to attempt their divorce on their own, thinking they can save money. However, many end up needing to start over from the beginning due to simple mistakes. Here are a few common pitfalls:

  • Incomplete Paperwork: Failing to fill out all required forms properly can lead to rejection by the court.
  • Misunderstanding Legal Terms: Legal jargon can be intimidating and confusing, leading to misinterpretations.
  • Missing Filing Deadlines: Courts have strict deadlines that, if missed, can delay your case significantly.
  • Incorrect Service of Papers: Properly notifying your spouse is critical; failure to do so can result in legal complications.

Why Use a Professional Service?

Utilizing a professional service for your divorce can provide peace of mind. Here’s how:

  • Expert Guidance: Professionals understand the ins and outs of the legal requirements and can guide you through the process.
  • Flat Fee Services: We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees, allowing you to budget effectively.
  • Time Efficiency: Our experience allows us to expedite the process, ensuring your divorce is completed in a timely manner.
  • Comprehensive Support: From initial paperwork to final judgment, we support you every step of the way.

Real-Life Examples

Many of our clients come to us after experiencing significant difficulties with their DIY divorce attempts. For instance, we’ve had clients who thought they had completed their divorce only to discover years later that they never finalized the paperwork. Imagine the shock of learning that you are still legally married after remarrying! These situations highlight the importance of getting it right the first time.

Getting Started

If you’re contemplating divorce, it’s essential to take the first steps with a clear understanding of what lies ahead. Here’s how to begin:

  1. Contact a Professional Service: Reach out to us for a consultation. We can discuss your specific situation and needs.
  2. Gather Necessary Documents: Collect any relevant documents that pertain to your marriage, such as financial records and any previous legal paperwork.
  3. Understand Your Options: We will explain the different paths available to you, whether it’s mediation, collaborative divorce, or litigation.
  4. Get Started on Paperwork: Let us help you complete your divorce paperwork accurately and efficiently.

Conclusion

Going through a divorce is undoubtedly challenging, but it doesn’t have to be a drawn-out battle. By choosing to work with a professional service from the outset, you can navigate the complexities of California divorce law with confidence. If you’re ready to take that step, give us a call. We’re here to help ensure that your divorce is done right the first time, allowing you to move forward with your life.

For more information or to schedule your consultation, visit our website at divorce661.com or call us at 661-281-0266. We handle divorce cases throughout California and are dedicated to making this process as smooth as possible for you.

 

Completing Your California Divorce: Steps to Finalize Your Case | California Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

Completing Your California Divorce: Steps to Finalize Your Case

Many individuals find themselves in a situation where they initiated their divorce but never completed the process. If you’re one of those people, you’re not alone. This blog post will guide you through the steps necessary to finish your divorce in California, especially if you’ve been stuck in limbo for years. Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Problem

It’s not uncommon for individuals to begin the divorce process only to realize later that they haven’t completed it. I’ve spoken with many people who filed for divorce years ago, only to discover that they never served their spouse or finalized their case. This can lead to confusing and sometimes complicated situations, especially if you’ve since remarried.

Real-Life Examples

Just yesterday, I spoke with someone who filed for divorce in 2008 but never served their spouse. Can you imagine? Almost six years have gone by, and they’re unsure if they need to start over or if they can pick up where they left off. This situation is more common than you might think.

Another case involved a client who believed their divorce was finalized, but years later, they found out it wasn’t. They had already remarried, which can complicate matters significantly.

What to Do If You Haven’t Completed Your Divorce

If you find yourself in this predicament, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to proceed.

Step 1: Locate Your Case Number

The first step is to find your case number. This is essential for checking the status of your divorce. If you don’t have a copy of your initial filing, you can visit the courthouse where you filed your divorce. In Los Angeles County, for instance, you can go to any branch, such as San Fernando or Lancaster, and access public computers to search by your name.

Step 2: Determine Your Next Steps

Once you have your case number, you can check the status of your divorce. If your case has not been dismissed, you may be able to proceed with the necessary steps to finalize it.

If you’ve never served your spouse, you’ll need to do that first. This is crucial as serving your spouse is a legal requirement to move forward with your divorce.

Step 3: Serve Your Spouse

After locating your case number and determining that your case is still active, the next step is to serve your spouse. In California, you can have a professional process server or someone over 18 who is not involved in the case serve the papers.

If both parties are on good terms, serving your spouse via mail is also an option. They will need to sign and return a document confirming they received the papers.

Completing Financial Disclosures

After serving your spouse, you will need to complete financial disclosures. This involves filling out the preliminary declaration of disclosure, your income and expense declaration, and a schedule of assets and debts. Being honest and transparent during this process is crucial.

The Importance of Full Disclosure

Complete and accurate financial disclosures are essential, even if you believe your divorce will be uncontested. If either party hides assets, the court can penalize them, which might result in a more favorable outcome for the other spouse.

Finalizing the Divorce

Once the financial disclosures are complete, the next step is to move toward obtaining a final judgment. This process involves filing additional documents with the court to finalize the divorce.

What Happens If Your Case Is Old?

In some cases, you might be dealing with paperwork that’s decades old. I once worked with a client whose case was over 18 years old. They had filed and served the initial documents but never moved forward. We had to pick up where they left off, and luckily, the other party had not filed a response, simplifying the process.

In such scenarios, we review all the old paperwork, ensure everything is in order, and then proceed with completing the necessary steps for finalizing the divorce.

Get Help If You Need It

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused, remember that you don’t have to go through this alone. We specialize in helping individuals complete their divorce cases in California, regardless of how long it’s been since you filed.

We can assist you in locating your case number, understanding your status, and guiding you through the necessary steps to finalize your divorce.

Contact Us

If you need assistance with your old case, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me, Tim Blankenship, at 661-281-0266. Our expertise in California divorce ensures that we can help you navigate this process smoothly.

For more information, visit our website at divorce661.com. We’re here to help you wrap things up and move forward with your life.

Conclusion

Completing a divorce that was never finalized can seem daunting, but with the right steps and assistance, it can be manageable. Whether you filed years ago or recently, understanding the process and knowing your options is crucial. Don’t let an unfinished divorce hold you back any longer.

Thank you for reading, and remember, you’re not alone in this process!

 

Where Did You Get Stuck With Your California Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

People get stuck attempting to complete their California divorce at different points.  This means that people are calling on us for help with their divorce at different stages and we thought we would share these different stages as to suggest you are not alone.

Some people realize right from the get-go that they don’t have the time or desire to attempt their California divorce on their own.  These folks seek out our affordable California divorce service right from the beginning.  These folks will save much time and heartache.

The next place you may decide to get professional divorce assistance is after you have attempted to file your initial set of papers.  What we find is that folks will attempt to fill out the summons and petition and then have it rejected by the court.  Or if they did fill out the forms, they don’t know how to property serve and file the proof of service. We get many calls for assistance at this stage.

Sadly, filing the initial divorce documents is, by far, the easiest part of the divorce case.  The next step is preparing your preliminary declaration of disclosure.  We have talked about he complexity of these specific divorce forms in other articles.  These need to be property prepared and a specific form filed with the court.  We find that these financial disclosures are particularly troublesome for folks.

The last part of your California divorce case is having to complete the judgment.  The judgment is comprised of between 15 and 25 forms, all which will detail the agreements between you and your spouse, including distribution of assets and debts, parenting plans, child support, spousal support and any other agreements you want wrapped up in the divorce judgment.

We have found that people who have attempted to complete their own divorce will have to call us at some point.  The final judgment is the most difficult part and many people face numerous judgment rejections from the court which draw out the case for several years.

We recommend that you call our Santa Clarita Divorce Service from the very beginning so we can professionally prepare your divorce documents.  But regardless of where you have got stuck with your California divorce, we can pick up where you got stuck.

Breaking Down Divorce Into Understandable Terms | Santa Clarita Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

I was paid a nice compliment the other day.  A lady had called and said she had watched several of our Santa Clarita Divorce Videos on YouTube.

She went on to say how she liked the fact that we broke down the divorce process into terms she could understand.

And really, breaking down the divorce process is at the heart of what we do with our blogs, videos and podcasts.

We recognized that the divorce process in California is confusing.  While there is a lot of information out there on the web, it is hard to understand and is written in a way that makes you say, “what does that mean”?

So with that in mind, we have taken steps to break down the process in terms you and I can understand.  I will read something some lawyer or judge has said and then on video or in a blog post will say, “here is what this means in plain English”.

Another thing we have done in take the divorce process and break it down into understandable bits and pieces.  We take the process of divorce and make it more digestible by explaining what to do first and exactly how to do it.

We are fortunate to have many clients and lots of calls for help with divorce.  We simply take these questions we get and either write about them on our divorce blogs or post a video about it or do a podcast.  Sometimes we will do all three, just to make sure the information gets out there.

If you have questions about divorce, make sure to read this blog.  There are several hundred articles about divorce that we have written and answer most of the questions you will have about divorce and the process.

When you are ready to take the next step, please give us a call.  One phone call with us and you will walk away with a total understanding of the divorce process and what we can do to help you get through it.

We are a licensed divorce service in Santa Clarita and serve all of Los Angeles County.  Please call us at 661-281-0266 for assistance with your divorce.

 

Don’t Start Your Divorce On Your Own | Santa Clarita Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

As a self help divorce service in Santa Clarita, we are big proponents of doing your own divorce.  But we don’t recommend you actually do it yourself. Rather we suggest you use a divorce preparation service such as ours.

What we mean by saying we are proponents of doing your own divorce , we mean that you don’t need to hire an attorney to complete your divorce.  You can use our divorce service and because we don’t represent you, you are considered to be doing your own divorce.

We want to make a recommendation.  We suggest that you don’t attempt to do your own divorce without assistance.  We have found that many people start the divorce process, but are never able to finish it.

They are told that it is easy and they can do it themselves.  While this is technically true, it is a rare occasion when someone actually navigates the divorce process successfully on their own.

For those that do attempt to start their divorce, we find that when they come to us for help, it is much more work for us to fix the mistakes you have made on the paperwork than had we just prepared the entire divorce package.

We have clients who call us and want to know how much it would cost to finish their divorce and that they “have already completed most of the paperwork”.  Well, we have learned that the more paperwork “that has been completed” the more work it will actually be for us.

We have never had a client come to us, who had prepared some of the paperwork, where we did not have to fix something.

So what we do in these cases where someone has prepared some of their documents is to complete a case review.  We will look at everything you have done so far and make any corrections and amend the forms as necessary.

So don’t start your own divorce.  Because even if you come to us after doing some of the forms, we are likely going to have to spend more time fixing them.

Don’t Waste Your Time Attempting To Complete Your Santa Clarita Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

I am the first to say that it is possible to complete your own divorce.  To say anything else would be a lie.  But the fact that it is possible is far removed from what it will actually take to complete your own divorce if you attempt it on your own.

So why do I say it is a waste of time to attempt to complete your own divorce?  I will give you a few examples of issues and roadblocks you may face when attempting to do your own divorce.  While there are hundreds of issues you can come across when trying to do your own divorce, I will give the most common issues people face.

Believe it or not, completing some of the divorce forms is the easiest part. But many people make tons of mistakes on these forms.  And we are talking about capable people here.  It is just that the divorce forms are so foreign that it is hard to figure out what you are supposed to do in many cases.  So while completing the forms is the easiest part, most will fail to complete the forms correctly.

The next thing I see a lot when people are attempting to complete their own divorce is that they are unaware of how the process of divorce works.  For instance; What forms to complete and in what order, how to serve the divorce documents and which ones can be served by you and which need to be served by someone else.  Which forms have to be personally served and which ones can you mail.  Which forms are filed with the court and which ones are only served on your spouse.

I would consider the two issues above, that of how to complete the divorce forms and being familiar with the divorce process as the two biggest issues people have when attempting to complete their own divorce.  But there are hundreds of issues that can spiral off these to major problems.  There are so many decisions you have to make and so many easy mistakes to make.

This is why we say you should not waste your time attempting to complete your own divorce.  There is just too many things that can go wrong.  I can’t tell you how much business I get where people have tried to do their own divorce for months and sometimes years, only to come to us for assistance after wasting so much of their valuable time.

 

Filed For Divorce But May Want To Reconcile | Santa Clarita Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

I had a newer client call me today and ask if it was possible to slow down the divorce process because they were thinking they might be able to reconcile.

We had filed their divorce earlier in the month and had mailed out the divorce documents to his wife.  We were doing a simplified service where the spouse only need sign saying she received the documents.  Their question was whether they should sign the notice of acknowledgment of receipt or just hold off on everything.

Here are your options if you fall into this situation.  First, you can simply not sign anything.  Just hold off on having your spouse served and wait to see if things work out.  This is what the 6 months cooling off period is for.  The only issue you may run into is this.  If you don’t serve your spouse within 60 to 90 days, the court will set a case management conference to have you appear in court and explain the situation of what is going on.

So this first option is good idea if your spouse knew you filed for divorce.  Why do I say this?  Because if you filed for divorce and your spouse has no idea and then received a notice in the mail from the court addressed from you and opens it, they will see that you filed for divorce.  This will not be a good day for you if this happens.

The next option is to use the notice of acknowledgement of receipt of divorce form and have them sign it.  They can sign in and then just don’t file it.  Hold onto it until you are sure you are going through with the divorce.  This will not slow anything down if you later decide to move forward.  The date your spouse was served will be the day they signed it, even if you file it months later.

One more option would simply be to complete the process of service of your divorce.  Then you don’t have to worry about the court setting any court dates.  But serving your spouse can be kind of official and if you are trying to reconcile, you may want to avoid serving your spouse as that almost always sets a negative tone.

Started My Divorce And Now Need Help | Santa Clarita Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

If you started your own divorce and now need help, you are not alone.  Many people are convinced that they can complete the divorce process on their own.

While there are people that get through the divorce process on their own, they did not do it without facing many problems along the way.  How do I know this?  Because I have lots of people who call me who started their divorce and later found that it was not as easy a process as they thought it was going to be.

People who start their own divorce generally feel that their divorce is pretty cut and dry because they either have an agreement on the terms of the divorce or because they figure it is just a matter of filing out a bunch of forms.

While it is true that the divorce process is just filing out a bunch of forms, a large percentage of people who take on the divorce process on their own are not able to succesfully complete the divorce process without some outside assistance.

That is where we come in.  If you have started your divorce and realize that you are not going to complete it on your own, there is help.  Maybe you got in over your head and the paperwork got confusing or perhaps you got through all the paperwork, only to submit you final judgment paperwork and have it rejected by the court.  What’s worse, is that your case was rejected for forms you completed several months ago in which the clerk stamped, but did not say there was anything wrong with them.  Frustrating to say the least.

We can assist you with your div0rce regardless of where you are at in the process.  We get lots of cases every week which are at different points in the divorce process.  Some have just filed and others did all the paperwork,  but later found they had wasted their time becuase it was all incorrect.

If you need assistance, please give us a call.   We would be happy to take a look at your divorce paperwork and complete a quick review to see where you went wrong. Often, we find that the very first documents completed were wrong and need to start from the begining.  Sometimes we find that the other party was never served.  Rest assured, we will get to the bottom of it and make sure your divorce case is completed.

We are a divorce document prepa

Should You Sign Divorce Papers You Have Been Mailed – Santa Clarita Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

So there is a lot of confusing about divorce, that much we can agree on. That is why i write all these articles on divorce and record videos. It is all about getting information out there to lessen the confusion.

Today we are talking about what you should do if you are mailed divorce papers and asked to sign for them. The reason we are explaining this is because people think that if they sign papers they received, that it means that they agree. This is not true.

What we are talking about here is the very first papers filed in a divorce. These first document have to be personally served on your spouse. But there is a way that you can simply mail the forms to your spouse if they are willing to sign a document which says they received them.

But here is the problem. Spouses receive the divorce documents and think by signing anything that they are agreeing to what is contained in the divorce papers. This could not be further from the truth.

The form we are talking about here is the notice of acknowledgment of receipt. It is a form one signs to acknowledge having received the paperwork. It says nothing to the effect that by signing you agree to anything. In fact, it says right on the form that this is not a response form and if you disagree with anything in the divorce papers you were served, that you need to file a response.

Let me help drive this point home. I previously stated that these initial divorce documents normally have to be served. So if your spouse hires a process server and has someone hand deliver them to you, does that mean you agree to what is contained in the divorce papers? Of course not.

Signing the notice of acknowledgment of receipt is not different. The only reason not to sign that you received the divorce papers is to be difficult. At least that is what i tell my clients when they say their spouse won't sign indicating they received the papers.

If people would just take a few seconds to actually read the forms they will realize that what i am saying it true.