Correct Jurisdiction Date: Respondent Was Served Or Appeared On FL-180 Explained | California Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

Correct Jurisdiction Date: Respondent Was Served Or Appeared On FL-180 Explained

When navigating the complexities of divorce proceedings in California, one of the crucial administrative details that can impact your case is ensuring the correct jurisdiction date is entered on your divorce judgment. This often involves deciding between two key dates: the date the respondent was served or the date the respondent appeared in the case. Understanding which date to use and why can save you from costly delays or even having your judgment rejected by the court.

In this article, I’ll break down the essentials of selecting the correct jurisdiction date on form FL-180, drawing from experience with many California divorce cases. Whether you’re handling your divorce paperwork yourself or working with a legal professional, knowing these details will help you move your case forward smoothly.

Understanding Jurisdiction Dates in Divorce Judgments

When you submit a divorce judgment to the court in California, the court requires an entry of the jurisdiction date—the date that legally establishes the court’s authority over the case. This is important because the court’s jurisdiction affects when the case can proceed and when the judgment can be finalized.

There are two primary dates that can be used as the jurisdiction date on the judgment:

  • Date Respondent Was Served: This is the date when the other party (the respondent) was officially served with divorce papers.
  • Date Respondent Appeared: This is the date when the respondent files a response or otherwise appears in court, indicating their participation in the case.

Both dates are valid in different circumstances, but choosing the correct one depends on how the respondent engaged with the case.

Why Are There Two Different Dates?

You might wonder why the court allows two different dates to be used as the jurisdiction date. The reason lies in the different ways a respondent can respond to divorce proceedings.

1. Respondent Served But Does Not Appear: In some cases, the respondent is served with divorce papers but chooses not to appear or respond. For example, in uncontested divorces or default cases, the respondent may be served by mail but never files a response.

2. Respondent Appears and Files a Response: In other cases, the respondent files a formal response to the petition, which is called “appearing” in the case. This appearance signifies the respondent’s active participation.

Because these two scenarios are handled differently, the court recognizes either the date of service or the date of appearance as the proper jurisdiction date.

Choosing the Correct Date: Served vs. Appeared

When deciding which date to use on your FL-180 form, consider the following:

Using the Date Respondent Was Served

This date is typically used when the respondent has been served with divorce papers but has not formally appeared or filed a response. In many of our cases at Divorce661, we handle full-service divorce cases where our clients are not responding purposely. This means that the respondent is served by mail and does not file any response or appear in court.

In such instances, we select the date the respondent was served as the jurisdiction date. This is because the respondent’s official notice of the case begins with service, and since they haven’t appeared, the court’s jurisdiction is established from that date.

Using the Date Respondent Appeared

If the respondent files a response, this counts as their formal appearance in the case. The date they file this response can be used as the jurisdiction date instead of the service date.

For example, if the respondent was served on January 1st but filed a response on January 15th, you can use January 15th as the jurisdiction date. This is especially important if there are issues with the service of the papers or if you do not have proper proof of service.

When Both Dates Are Present: Which Date to Use?

Sometimes, you will have both dates: the date the respondent was served and the date the respondent appeared by filing a response. In this case, the general rule is to use the earliest date. Usually, the respondent is served first, then files a response later.

However, there are exceptions:

  • If the respondent files a response without being served (which can happen if the respondent files at the outset), the date of appearance replaces the service date.
  • If there are problems with the proof of service documentation—such as it being invalid, rejected, unsigned, or otherwise defective—then the appearance date should be used even if it is later.

In practice, we often choose the earliest date to establish jurisdiction to avoid unnecessary delays. But if the proof of service is questionable, it’s safer to rely on the date the respondent actually appeared in the case.

Proof of Service Issues and Their Impact

Proof of service is a critical document that verifies the respondent was properly notified of the divorce proceedings. If this document is incomplete or flawed, it can cause the court to reject your judgment.

Common proof of service problems include:

  • Missing signatures
  • Incorrect dates
  • Invalid methods of service
  • Lost or missing proof of service paperwork

When proof of service is challenged or cannot be verified, and the respondent has filed a response, the safer option is to use the date the respondent appeared rather than the date they were served. This avoids the need to correct or resubmit proof of service documentation, which can be difficult or impossible in older cases.

For example, in some cases that are 20 or 30 years old, the person who served the paperwork may no longer be available to sign or verify the proof of service. In such situations, using the date the respondent filed their response as the jurisdiction date is the most practical solution.

How We Handle Jurisdiction Dates at Divorce661

At Divorce661, we provide a full-service divorce solution for amicable couples in California. Our approach to handling jurisdiction dates is straightforward and designed to minimize complications:

  1. We determine if the respondent has been served and whether they have filed a response.
  2. If the respondent has not responded, we use the date of service as the jurisdiction date.
  3. If the respondent has appeared by filing a response, we use the date they filed that response.
  4. If both dates exist, we generally use the earliest date unless there are proof of service issues, in which case we use the date of appearance.

We also handle default divorces with written agreements, which means our clients are typically served by mail rather than in person. This method helps streamline the process but requires careful attention to jurisdiction dates to avoid rejections by the court.

Why Correct Jurisdiction Dates Matter

Entering the correct jurisdiction date on your divorce judgment is not just a formality—it has real consequences. Using the wrong date can lead to:

  • Rejection of Your Judgment: The court may reject your judgment if the jurisdiction date is incorrect or inconsistent with case records.
  • Delays in Finalizing the Divorce: Incorrect dates may require resubmission and additional paperwork, delaying your case closure.
  • Potential Legal Complications: Jurisdiction dates affect deadlines, rights, and obligations, so accuracy is essential to protect your interests.

By understanding when to use the date the respondent was served versus the date they appeared, you ensure your divorce judgment is accepted promptly and your case proceeds without unnecessary hurdles.

Additional Tips for Divorce Paperwork in California

While this article focuses on the jurisdiction date issue, here are some extra tips to keep your divorce process smooth:

  • Keep Detailed Records: Maintain copies of all service documents and filings.
  • Consult Experts: If you’re unsure about any paperwork, consider consulting a divorce professional or attorney.
  • Respond Promptly: If you are the respondent, filing a timely response can help avoid default judgments.
  • Use Reliable Service Methods: Service by mail with proof is acceptable, but ensure all documentation is complete and signed.

Conclusion

Choosing the correct jurisdiction date on your divorce judgment—whether the date the respondent was served or the date they appeared—is a critical detail in California divorce proceedings. This choice depends on how the respondent engaged with the case and the validity of your proof of service documents.

Using the earliest date is usually best, but if proof of service is problematic, the date the respondent appeared should be your go-to. Paying close attention to these details helps prevent judgment rejections and keeps your divorce on track.

If you need assistance with your divorce paperwork or want to ensure everything is handled correctly, consider reaching out to professionals who specialize in California divorce cases. Proper guidance can make a significant difference in the outcome and efficiency of your case.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit Divorce661.com.

Understanding the Divorce Judgment and the Importance of the Judgment Order Attachment in California | California Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

Understanding the Divorce Judgment and the Importance of the Judgment Order Attachment in California

When navigating the complexities of divorce proceedings in California, one of the most critical steps is the submission and approval of the divorce judgment. This document finalizes the divorce and outlines the court’s orders regarding various aspects of the dissolution of marriage. However, many people overlook the importance of accompanying forms, particularly the Judgment Order Attachment, which has become increasingly essential in recent court practices.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the key components of the divorce judgment, the specific forms involved, and the recent trends in court requirements, especially concerning property orders. Whether you’re dealing with child custody, support issues, spousal support, or property division, understanding these elements can save you time, avoid delays, and ensure your judgment is accepted smoothly.

What Is the Divorce Judgment and Why Is It Important?

The divorce judgment is the official court order that legally ends your marriage. It incorporates all the terms and agreements reached during the divorce process, including custody arrangements, support obligations, and property division. Without this judgment, your divorce is not finalized.

Submitting the judgment correctly is crucial. The court requires specific forms to accompany your judgment, and these forms vary depending on the issues involved in your case. Failing to submit the correct forms or attachments may result in your judgment being rejected or sent back for corrections.

Key Forms Attached to the Divorce Judgment

When you submit your divorce judgment, you must include the appropriate Judgment Order Attachments. These forms specify the court’s orders on different aspects of the divorce. The main types of attachments include:

  • Child Custody Order Attachment: Required if your case involves child custody arrangements.
  • Child Support Order Attachment: Needed if child support payments are part of your judgment.
  • Spousal Support Order Attachment: Used if spousal support (alimony) is ordered.
  • Property Order Attachment: Pertains to the division of property and debts between spouses.

Each attachment outlines the court’s specific orders related to these areas, ensuring clarity and enforceability of the judgment.

The Emerging Trend: Property Order Attachment (Form FL-345)

One of the most important updates in recent years is the court’s increasing insistence on including a Property Order Attachment—specifically Form FL-345—with the judgment, even when no property division is involved.

Previously, it was common practice to simply note on the judgment itself that there was no property to be disposed of by the court. This practice often sufficed, and courts accepted judgments without a formal property order attachment if there was no property to divide.

However, courts have started sending judgments back, requesting that a Property Order Attachment be submitted regardless. This means that even if you and your spouse have no community or separate property to divide, you now need to file Form FL-345 and explicitly state that there is no property or debts to be divided.

How to Complete Form FL-345 When There Is No Property

Form FL-345 is designed to confirm the division of community property, separate property, and debts. If you have no community property or debts, you simply mark the appropriate boxes indicating “No Community Property Assets” and “No Community Property Debts.”

For separate property, even if you did not list all items in your financial disclosures, the form requires you to confirm ownership. Courts generally expect everyone to have some separate property, whether listed or not.

To handle this, a useful approach is to use a broad statement that covers any and all separate property and debts without listing each item individually. On section 4a of Form FL-345, the statement should read:

“Any and all assets and debts in the petitioner’s name or possession.”

Similarly, for the respondent’s separate property:

“Any and all assets and debts in the respondent’s name or possession.”

This phrasing satisfies the court by confirming that all separate property and debts belong solely to the respective party, avoiding the need to itemize every single asset or debt. It simplifies the process and meets the court’s expectations.

Why Is This Trend Happening?

The shift toward requiring a formal Property Order Attachment in all divorce judgments likely stems from the court’s desire for clarity and completeness. By having a standardized form that explicitly states the status of property and debts, courts can avoid ambiguity and potential disputes later on.

Even if there is no property division, having the form on file ensures that the court has a clear record of this fact. It also protects both parties by confirming that the court has considered property issues and made a definitive ruling, reducing future litigation risks.

Other Important Attachments for Divorce Judgments

Besides the Property Order Attachment, here’s a quick overview of the other common attachments you should be aware of when submitting a divorce judgment:

Child Custody Order Attachment

If your divorce involves children, the court requires a Child Custody Order Attachment. This document details the custody arrangement, visitation schedules, and decision-making responsibilities. It provides a clear framework for both parents and helps enforce custody terms.

Child Support Order Attachment

When child support is part of your divorce, the Child Support Order Attachment outlines the amount, payment schedule, and any special conditions related to support. This attachment ensures the support terms are enforceable by the court.

Spousal Support Order Attachment

If spousal support (alimony) is awarded, this attachment specifies the amount, duration, and terms of payment. Like the other attachments, it is essential for enforcement and clarity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting Your Divorce Judgment

  • Omitting Required Attachments: Ensure you include all necessary Judgment Order Attachments based on your case specifics. Missing attachments can delay your judgment’s approval.
  • Failing to Submit Form FL-345 When No Property Exists: Even if there’s no property to divide, submit the Property Order Attachment with boxes marked “No” to satisfy court requirements.
  • Not Using the Broad “Any and All” Statement for Separate Property: Avoid listing every separate asset. Instead, use the phrase “Any and all assets and debts in [party’s] name or possession” to cover all separate property.
  • Ignoring Court Trends: Courts evolve their requirements. Stay updated to avoid surprises when your judgment is returned for corrections.

How We Can Help You with Your California Divorce

Divorce can be a complicated and emotional process, especially when legal forms and court requirements change frequently. Our team specializes in California divorce law and can guide you through the entire process, ensuring your judgment is prepared correctly and submitted with all necessary attachments.

If you’re unsure about how to complete Form FL-345 or any other Judgment Order Attachments, or if you want to avoid delays with the court, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We offer comprehensive support tailored to your unique situation.

Visit our website or give us a call at the number on your screen to get started. We’re here to help you finalize your divorce smoothly and with confidence.

Conclusion

Submitting a divorce judgment in California involves more than just filing the document itself. The court requires specific Judgment Order Attachments depending on your case, and recent trends highlight the importance of including the Property Order Attachment (Form FL-345), even when no property division is involved.

By understanding these requirements and using clear, comprehensive language—especially when confirming separate property—you can avoid delays and ensure your divorce judgment is accepted without issue. Remember, the court’s goal is clarity and finality, and these forms help achieve that.

For anyone navigating divorce in California, staying informed about these procedural details is crucial. If you need assistance with your divorce judgment or any related paperwork, professional help is just a call or click away.

Thank you for reading, and best wishes on your journey through divorce and beyond.

 

How to Get a Default Judgment in a Divorce Case | Los Angeles Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

How to Get a Default Judgment in a Divorce Case

Divorce can be a challenging process, especially when one spouse is unresponsive. If you find yourself in a situation where your spouse is ignoring divorce papers, a default divorce might be the answer. This post will guide you through the process of obtaining a default judgment in a divorce case, ensuring you can move forward with your life without unnecessary delays.

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Understanding Default Divorce

A default divorce occurs when one spouse fails to respond to the divorce petition within a specified time frame—typically 30 days after being served. When this happens, the filing spouse can request a default judgment, allowing the divorce to proceed without the non-responsive spouse’s participation. This streamlined approach can save time and reduce stress.

The Default Judgment Process

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to obtain a default judgment:

  1. Serve Divorce Papers: Begin by ensuring your spouse is legally served with divorce papers. This is a crucial first step.
  2. Wait for 30 Days: After serving the papers, you must wait 30 days for your spouse to respond. If they do not respond, you can proceed.
  3. File Request for Default: If no response is received, file a request to enter default (Form FL-165) with the court. This signals that your spouse has not engaged in the process.
  4. Submit Final Judgment Paperwork: Include necessary financial disclosures and any other required documents if you are requesting spousal support, child custody, or property division.
  5. Obtain Judge’s Approval: Once the judge reviews your paperwork and approves your default judgment, your divorce is finalized without your spouse’s involvement.

Key Considerations for Default Divorce

While pursuing a default divorce can be an efficient way to finalize your separation, there are important considerations to keep in mind:

  • Proper Service is Crucial: Ensure your spouse receives the divorce papers correctly. Failure to do so may delay the process.
  • Financial Disclosures Required: Even in default cases, you must provide financial disclosures. This is essential for any requests related to spousal support, child custody, or property division.
  • Understand the Risks: Default divorces can sometimes lead to unfavorable outcomes for the spouse who does not respond. It’s important to know your rights and consider seeking legal advice.

Real-Life Example: A Successful Default Divorce

Consider the story of one client whose spouse ignored divorce papers for months. By adhering to the default judgment process, we were able to finalize their divorce without their spouse ever participating. This illustrates how effective and straightforward the process can be when executed properly.

Why Choose Divorce661?

At Divorce661, we specialize in efficiently handling default divorce cases. Our services stand out for several reasons:

  • Flat-Fee Divorce Services: We offer a transparent, flat-fee structure, eliminating the surprise of expensive legal fees.
  • 100% Remote Services: Handle everything from the comfort of your home without the need for in-person meetings.
  • Correct Paperwork Submission: We ensure all paperwork is filed correctly to avoid any delays in the process.

Steps to Take if Your Spouse is Unresponsive

If you find yourself in a situation where your spouse is unresponsive, don’t panic. Here’s what you can do:

  1. Document Everything: Keep a record of all attempts to serve divorce papers and any communication (or lack thereof) from your spouse.
  2. Consult a Professional: Consider seeking legal advice to navigate the complexities of default divorce.
  3. Follow the Process: Adhere to the steps outlined above to ensure you meet all legal requirements.

Common Questions About Default Divorce

What if my spouse responds late?

If your spouse responds after the 30-day window, it may complicate the process. They can file a response and contest the default judgment, so it’s vital to act promptly.

Can I modify the default judgment later?

Modifying a default judgment can be challenging. Typically, you must show valid reasons for the modification, which can include changes in circumstances or errors in the initial judgment.

What if I can’t locate my spouse?

If you cannot find your spouse, you may need to take additional steps to serve them, such as publishing a notice in a local newspaper. Courts require proof that you have made reasonable efforts to serve divorce papers.

Conclusion

Finalizing a divorce without your spouse’s participation is entirely possible through the default judgment process. By understanding the requirements and following the necessary steps, you can expedite your divorce and begin moving forward with your life. If you need assistance or have questions about your specific situation, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free consultation at Divorce661.

For more information and resources, visit Divorce661.com.

 

California Divorce Judgment Rejected? This Is Why!

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

There are many reasons your California Divorce judgment paperwork will be rejected. In fact, there are 3 pages of reasons why your California Divorce judgment may be rejected.

But the main reason your judgement papers get rejected is because when you turn in your divorce judgment package to the court, this is the first time anybody is actually reviewing your documents. (Continue reading below video)

 

When you turn in your divorce judgment, that is the first time the court is reviewing even your initial court documents such as your summons and petition and whether you know it or not, if you did something wrong on the divorce petition, you wouldn’t know it until you turned in your judgment.

Now, while your divorce judgment can be rejected for many reasons, generally the court will review and provide you with a list of reasons why your divorce judgment paperwork is being rejected.

But, they won’t tell you what the correction is. They will just tell you what is wrong with it.

And for the first time in my life, I have seen a reject sheet that didn’t even provide the reasons why the judgment was rejected. If you watched the video, i showed you a reject sheet from a clerk that basically said the paperwork was so messed up that they weren’t going to go to the trouble of providing all the reasons why it was being rejected.

In fact, the divorce judgment reject sheet simply said that there were too many issues and many missing documents and to seek legal advice on how to prepare their divorce.

That is exactly what this person did. They hired us to review and correct and finalize their divorce case. Now, while the clerk was correct and there were many missing forms and errors, i just thought it was so lazy of the clerk to not even provide the reasons why it was rejected.

If you need assistance with your divorce judgment paperwork please give us a call. Correcting California divorce paperwork is our speciality. Or, just save yourself some trouble and hire us before you ever file a single divorce form.

You will save yourself a lot of wasted time and grief.

My Valencia Divorce Judgment Rejected 3 Times

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

I hear it every day.  I tried to do my own Valencia divorce and my Valencia divorce judgment was rejected. In this case, this gal’s Valencia divorce judgment was rejected 3 times.

Why Your Valencia Divorce Judgment Is Being Rejected

This is not the most times someone has told me their . Nope, the most times someone said their Valencia divorce judgment was rejected was 7 times.  Can you imagine having your Valencia divorce judgment rejected 7 times?  Even if you have had your Valencia divorce judgment rejected once, it is enough to frustrate you completely.  You think you have completed your Valencia divorce properly and then one day, you receive the rejected Valencia divorce judgment in the mail.

Valencia Divorce Judgments Get Rejected All The Time

Valencia divorce judgments get rejected all the time.  In fact, so much that we have a service just for cleaning up the judgement and resubmitting.  But we have talked about that in many articles and if you find yourself in a situation where your Valencia divorce judgment has been rejected.

But the purpose of this article was not so much to talk about our service is it is to discuss a situation I ran into today.

So today, I received a message on Facebook from someone I knew several years ago.  Someone that worked in an office near me.  So not friends, per se, but an acquaintance would be the best way to explain it.

Anyways, I ran into her in the Ralph’s grocery store in Valencia about 6 months ago. She said she knew I was doing divorce’s and said she was having trouble with her divorce as far as the paperwork was concerned.  So she asked me for some advice and I gave her a few pointers to trouble shoot her case based upon what she told me the problems were.

Back to today.  She reached out to me via Facebook and asks me how much it would be to fix her Valencia divorce paperwork.  I give her a price via messenger and explain that we will take care of everything.  Her response was, ” It is just the judgment, everything else is fine”.

Honestly, this irritated me.

Here is why.  I know that not “everything else is fine” when you are turning in your divorce judgment.  This is because when you turn in your divorce judgment, this is the first time that the court reviews any of  your paperwork.

Everyone things all their divorce forms are correct, until they turn the judgment into the court.

Why Your Valencia Divorce Will Be Rejected Multiple Times

Here is a secret that I have told a million times.  When you turn in your judgment to the court, the clerks will find one or two maybe three reasons to reject your divorce judgment paperwork and send it back.  You fix those few mistakes and then they reject it again.

This is why we have created Valencia divorce judgment checklists.

Why do you think the judgment gets rejected so many times?  If everything is fine then why does it keep getting rejected for new reasons?

Exactly.

What also irritated me is that I also have her a second option.  I said, “pay for the California Divorce Tutor Uncontested Divorce package which is just $97 and I will walk you through wrapping up your Valencia divorce case.

I didn’t get a thank you or even a reply.

If you are not willing to spend even $97 to finalize your Valencia divorce, then I suppose your only option is to keep having your Valencia divorce judgment rejected.

Look folks, the Valencia divorce process is complicated.  You need professional help.  Otherwise you will struggle and your divorce will take years.

You are undoing a marriage of how ever many years.  Get it done right and have a professional company handle your divorce case.

Valencia Divorce Paralegal : Judgment Forms vs Marital Settlement Agreement

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

Years ago our company got away from using Marital Settlement Agreements. The writing was on the wall that the court’s were going to a more uniform manner of completing the California divorce paperwork.

When you go through a Valencia Divorce, you know that the divorce paperwork is all about forms. This form for this and that form for that. The divorce courts, have for some time now, used judgment “forms” instead of what was known as a Marital Settlement Agreement.

 

The change to the California divorce forms was to make the divorce process a bit more uniform and hopefully easier to complete your divorce. What the divorce judgment forms have done is give you a way to complete your divorce judgment by using forms instead of having to draft a narrative style agreement.

The biggest issues people were having with preparing their divorce agreements is that they lacked the sufficient legal language. This caused the courts to reject judgments more often than not.

The forms solves this issues for many of the problems people were having. The divorce judgment forms have check boxes and prompts for the information you will need and most often used when completing your divorce.

Again, our company went to this format several years ago and I have spoken about this often. In fact, about a year or so ago, I had someone who became a client of our watch a video about this that I did not Youtube where I said it is better to use the judgment forms rather than the settlement agreement.

She called me to tell me that she did not take my advice and then had her divorce settlement agreement rejected by the court. This client ultimately hired us to complete her Valencia divorce case which we did using the California divorce judgment forms.

California Divorce Use Court Forms For Judgment Not Marital Settlement Agreement

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

California Divorce Use Court Forms For Judgment Not Marital Settlement Agreement

Today we are talking about the easiest way of preparing your judgment.

And the reason I bring this up is because yesterday I had a client in my office that came in and they had this long written agreement it’s called the marital settlement agreement or settlement agreement.

And it was a long drawn out settlement agreement. And some of these you’ll find through other online services, they provide these 10 or 15 page legal documents and a lot of them are legally insufficient so we got away from using those.

And then we also have people who come in who have a written agreement were they basically took out a piece of paper and said, this is what I want to keep, this is our agreement, this is what the other parties are going to keep, and this is the agreement

And a lot of those are being rejected by the court because they need to have specific legal language in them.

You can’t just hand-write or type up an agreement, there has to be a specific language in those agreements. So what we’re doing is we’re getting away from doing those.

In fact we haven’t done them in years. Because the courts now have the court forums that you can use that already have all the legal language and all you need to do is check the check boxes that are applicable. So let me give you an example.

We are talking about the judgment, when you have a judgment you have to have the FL-180, you have the judgment form, and then you just have your attachments for the applicable fields that you have.

So for instance, if you look at the judgment on page 2 you’ll see that you have issues of child custody, child supports, spousal supports, and property.

All of those have specific order forms that you can attach to the judgment which have all the specific language already in them.

So let’s talk about if have children you attached the child custody and the child support order form, and then you just go to this forms and check the boxes that are applicable and you don’t have to worry about is the language correct because it already has the correct court language.

Again, with spousal support and with property all you have to do is check the boxes it indicates which property is community property, which property is separate property, and who’s getting what.

So this is how we do our judgment, we just use the court forms because it doesn’t leave room for chance where you’re going to make a mistake and not put the correct legal language in your documents.

So where the lady came in yesterday she had a fifteen page agreement, we turned that into five pages of just forms.

Did it in about ten minutes just checking the boxes and it was a done deal.

So there is definitely a streamline way of doing this.

Unfortunately the courts do not make this very apparent and if you are looking at forms online and software services online, they’re going to misdirect you and it’s going to end up more difficult than just hiring a service like ours from the very beginning and letting us take care of your divorce for you here in California.

Tim Blankenship, divorce661.com, I hope that was helpful. Please call me.

I’ll be happy to give you a free consultation and explain what we can do for you and we will be happy to help. Please go to our website on the screen here at divorce661.com for more information.

Top 5 Reasons Your California Divorce Was Not Finished

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

We have been doing this a long time and we have heard it all. We have helped clients finish their divorce as much as 18
years after they “thought their divorce was finalized”

This can be a nightmare for some, especially if you have already been re-married… Yes, that has happened…

But don’t worry, we can help finalize your divorce.

Lets talk about the top 10 reasons your divorce was never
finalized..

#1 Reason – You did not finish your case!

Don’t get mad at me, I wasn’t there. But really, this is an obvious reason, right?

What we have found from people who did not finish their case is that most of them THOUGHT THEIR CASE WAS FINALIZED.

#2 Reason – You went to a hearing and the judge made orders.

When you go to a hearing and the judge makes orders, they are JUST TEMPORARY ORDERS until final judgment is entered. We have found that many people think that once they go to court that the case is over when the judge makes orders. So far from the truth.

#3 Reason – Final Judgment in your case was never entered.

The judge may make some orders at a hearing or trial, but unless those orders are memorialized on a final judgment, submitted to the Court and signed by the Judge, your case is not completed.

#4 Reason – You made an error on your judgment paperwork.

This is a big one. The forms are confusing and all it takes is one mistake to fowl up the entire judgment. Some people submit their judgment and move and don’t receive notification that their divorce judgment was rejected.

Make sure you receive notice of entry of judgment!

#5 Reason – You did not comply with the divorce procedures leading up to your judgment.

This could be something as small as not completing a proof of service correctly.

There are all types of reasons your divorce was never finalized.

A lot of it will be procedural issues. Things you did wrong during the process.

But don’t worry, we can help. We can clean it up and wrap up your divorce for you.

Anywhere in California, we can assist with finishing up your case. Just give us the case number so we can see what has been done.

We will also need to see what documents you have previously filed, but we can talk about that later.

Call us at 661-281-0266.

California Divorce | We Can Review Your Divorce Judgment

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

We just completed a radio broadcast today on blog talk radio and we wanted to get the word out about  how and why you need to get your divorce judgment reviewed in California before you submit to the court for review.

On the radio show we were discussing some of the issues people are having when trying to complete their California divorce on their own. When people are completing their own divorce they have a falsee sense of security because when they are turning in their form such as their summons and their petition and all the other documents nobody ever says to them that they’re doing anything wrong.

Listen to internet radio with Tim Blankenship on BlogTalkRadio

The problem with this is that when you go to file your judgment, that will be the first time anyone actually looks at the paperwork you filed. It’s not the clerk’s job to look at your paperwork when you’re turning it in. So what the clerk does is take your forms that you may have completed wrong stamps them and puts them in the courts file.

This leaves you thinking you’ve done everything right and you don’t find out you made a mistake until you’ve turned in your final divorce judgment.

So you go through the whole divorce process, fill out all the forms you think you did everything right. You turn in your judgment and several months go by and you think to yourself that you must’ve done it right. Then out of the blue, six months later, you get paperwork back from the court. “You think, “great this is going to be my completed divorce” and what you find is a three-page notice of rejection of your divorce case.

Now what you have to do is go back figure out what you did wrong. You need to go through the checklist of issues trying fix what you did. Many times you’ll find it was a procedural issue and you have to go back and not only re-file paperwork but you’re going to end up having to re-serve certain paperwork as well.

What we recommend is that prior to submitting your final judgment in cases where you have prepared your entire divorce case, that you use our service where we will review your entire divorce judgment before it goes and gets submitted to the court.

By doing this you will ensure that your paperwork is done correctly. What we do with the divorce judgment review process is we will look at everything you have done up to the point of completing your judgment. We will review all the past paperwork and if any corrections need to be done we will take care of it.  If anything needs to be re-served we will take care of it and we will review and prepare your judgment and submit it to the court for review.

We are a licensed and bonded legal document preparation firm that specializes in divorce in California.

For more information about why to have your divorce judgment reviewed please listen to the podcast in this article.

Divorce Judgment Gives People The Most Trouble | Santa Clarita Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

If you have tried to prepare your own divorce or are considering doing so, you will learn how confusing and difficult the divorce paperwork can be.  But the worst is yet to come.

Most people will have some problems with the initial divorce documents.  They will have items rejected, not file them correctly and not fill them out right.  But the final test will be when you go to prepare the divorce judgment.

The divorce judgment is the last set of divorce documents that can be up to 25 pages long or more.  These final judgment documents give everyone  a problem.

But there is a bigger issue when completing the final divorce judgment forms and doing them wrong.  When you submit the final judgment documents, they will go into a huge pile of judgments that are also waiting to be approved.  The current wait time for your divorce judgment to be reviewed is 3 months to as long as 6 months.

This means that every time you submit your final divorce judgment, you will have to wait several months before your learn if it was done correctly or not.  I know people that attempted to complete their own divorce and have submitted their judgment 3 times.  They have been trying to complete their divorce for over 3 years.  They have been trying to get their final divorce paperwork approved for over a year.

Some people figure it out really fast that they need help and others are a glutton for punishment and keep asking for more rejection.  That was an attempt at humor, but you have to hand it to these folks that keep on trying.

Whether you have not quite gotten to the final divorce judgment phase or are one of these folks that have had the judgment rejected numerous times and are ready for help, please give us a call.

We do a lot of judgment reviews where we will take a look at your entire divorce case from beginning to end and complete and correct all the documents so they can be submitted and approved by the court.