The 3 Steps To Divorce | Los Angeles Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

The 3 Steps To Divorce | Los Angeles Divorce

Today, I want to talk to you about the three steps of the divorce process when you work with our firm.

We’ve broken it down into three digestible steps because there is an enormous amount of paperwork and it can be confusing.

The first step is for us to file and serve the initial divorce documents. This would be the summons and petitions and there’s some other paperwork if you have children.

After the file and service is completed, the second step is to complete your financial disclosures. Both parties are required to file and serve their financial disclosures.

Now, this financial disclosure of this process is one of the most unliked processes of the divorce.

This is because you have to go through all your finances before marriage, during marriage, and after separation and put it all down on paper. Most don’t find this to be a fun process at all.

After that, we move into the judgment phase.

We can prepare the divorce documents, prepare the judgment, put everything on paper, as pre request, and this will be in regards to the distribution of assets and debts as well as the in-child custody, child visitation and any other language you want incorporated into the judgment.

If you have any more questions about the divorce process when you work with a paralegal firm such as ours, please give us a call or use our website to get more information.

Los Angeles Divorce | About Our Divorce Document Preparation Service

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Los Angeles Divorce | About Our Divorce Document Preparation Service

We are a licensed and bonded legal document assistant firm licensed in the County of Los Angeles to provide self-help legal services.

We decided that we would specialize in the divorce process because that’s where our years of experience have come from. Our years of experience come from working in the family law courtrooms, in self-help centers, and in local area law firms.

We can help you save thousands of dollars by preparing your divorce forms and can get you through the process from start to finish. If you have any questions about our services, please feel free to give us a call or visit one of our local area websites.

We have websites dedicated all throughout Los Angeles County, for instance divorce 661 and so on. You can use the word divorce with your area code and you will find our website.

We are a completely online and web based company and we can work with all the courts in Los Angeles County. So if you are filing anywhere in Los Angeles, we can help you prepare all your divorce forms and get you through the process while saving you thousands of dollars.

Again, if you have any questions please give us a call or visit one of our local area websites.

Los Angeles | How To Look Up Your Divorce Case

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Los Angeles | How To Look Up Your Divorce Case

Today I want to talk to you about your case summary. There are many instances where you want to refer to your case summary to look up what documents have been filed in regards to your divorce.

If you’re representing yourself or if you’re working with a legal document preparation firm, it’s important to check your case summary. Anything that you file with the court, you’re going to want to ensure that that has been appropriately filed with the court, and the only way you’re able to do this is by looking at the case summary online.

We have a legal resource page with a direct link to the Los Angeles County Family Law Case summary page. All you do is click on that link for the legal resource page, go to the case summary look up and then you enter your case number.

You can use the case summary to look at what documents have been filed and this will be particularly important at the time of judgment.

When you go to file your judgment, there are certain documents that need to be filed before the court will approve the judgment. They will generally look at the case summary to verify that certain documents have been filed with the court appropriately.

With that said, when you submit your judgment, it’s always a good idea to print off a copy of your case summary and highlight the necessary documents, showing them that it was filed appropriately.

If you have any questions about case summary look-ups or how our service works in performing your divorce process, please give us a call or visit one of our local area websites.

Los Angeles Divorce | Will I Have To Go To Court?

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Los Angeles Divorce | Will I Have To Go To Court?

Today, I want to talk to you about how to avoid court when going through the divorce process. Many of the calls we get from our clients ask us “Tim, why I have to go to court?”, and that all depends on a couple of things and there are some things we can do to help prevent you having to go to court.

Many times, when you go through an uncontested divorce case, the courts or the self-help centers, will want you to deal what’s called a ‘default judgment’.

A default judgment is where only one spouse participates in the divorce, the other spouse does not respond nor do they enter into an agreement.

We’re finding in many cases on these default judgments because the other party has not been involved whatsoever, the judge will often times ask the one party that’s initiated the divorce to come into court to explain the distribution of assets and debts.

Now, I will talk to you about another way of going through the divorce process that accomplishes exactly the same thing with a much less likelihood of having to go to court.

This is called the hybrid judgment. The hybrid judgment is very similar in that the other party will not file a response. However, the other party will enter into a written agreement.

Now when the court sees this judgment, they realize, while the other spouse did not respond, they’re still participating and have entered into an agreement and that agreement has been notarized.

When that’s the case, even if the assets and debts have not been distributed evenly, they understand that there has been an agreement and that the parties have the best interest in mind of each other, and therefore, they will not generally ask you to come to court when there’s an entered agreement in the judgment.

If you have further questions about the hybrid judgment or how to avoid going to court during divorce, please give me a call or visit one of our local area websites.

Los Angeles Divorce Long Term Marriage | Terminating Spousal Support

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Los Angeles Divorce Long Term Marriage | Terminating Spousal Support

Today we’re talking about reasons your judgment can get rejected when you submit your final order to the court.

And this is regards to spousal support. Well, let me give you, I guess the rule and I’m not a lawyer, not a law firm so we can’t tell you what the laws are.

I’m just going to read off what the courts are telling us. I’m just kind of referring to their documents.

The courts look at long term marriage to be anything over ten years. If you have a long term marriage and you submit your final judgment, they only way you can have spousal support waived, and now we are talking about jurisdiction to terminate spousal support is by having an agreement with your spouse.

You’d have to submit a written stipulation to that.

If you’re going to do a default judgment and default is where you file for divorce, you served your spouse, there is no response and they’re not involved in the case.

If you file a default and you have a long term marriage, you cannot retain or you cannot terminate jurisdiction over spousal support. The courts will retain jurisdiction indefinitely.

We had a client come in and hired us to finish their case, they had tried to submit their documents to court and this is what the court told them. “Except on written agreement of the parties to the contrary (if they have a written agreement, they can do it) or court order terminating the spousal support, the court retains jurisdiction indefinitely in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or for legal separation of the parties where the marriage is of long duration, ten years or more from the date of marriage to the date of separation. See family code 4336.

What that tells us is, if you file a default there’s not going to be a written agreement, so, you can’t terminate jurisdiction. In fact, we’ve seen several cases returned where they did not approved the judgment where the parties were asking to terminate jurisdiction on long term marriages.

Now, in under ten years or short term marriage if you will. They’re allowing you to terminate jurisdiction.

So, if you want to terminate jurisdiction, you don’t want to ever have to pay for spousal support and you and your spouse agreed. The only way you’re going to be able to do that is by a written agreement. A default case would not be appropriate for you in that matter.

Tim Blankenship, divorce661.com.

We specialize in California divorce. You can reach me direct at 661-281-0266.

Los Angeles Divorce New Rules On Defaults

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Los Angeles Divorce New Rules On Defaults

Today we are talking about an issue that has come up, a change as it pertains to divorce judgment. This is when you’re submitting your California divorce judgment, where you talk about one of the issues that are coming up, a new policy with the courts.

I had a client come in who attempted to do their divorce case on their own in California and they had several issues, they had a lot of issues come up and their judgment was rejected and there was something new that we noticed on this reject sheet.

In that, there was some new policies if you will, regarding the final judgment.

So, this was going to be regarding a default judgment, a default is when you filed, there was no response, you filed a request to enter default, the default was entered and then you submitted you judgment without the other party’s involvement or signature.

What they’re asking that you do now is, you probably recall when you file your initial financial disclosures, you had to file incoming expense and schedule of assets and debts and then you had to file a form FL-141 and indicate you had served your preliminary declaration of disclosure.

That used to be all the courts required, as far as the disclosure is concerned on defaults. Now, what they’re asking for is that you either submit your final declaration of disclosure, which means you have to do everything, your final disclosures all over again or to submit a waiver. And the waiver would be done on the 141 as well.

What you’ll do with that 141 is you’ll just mark the petitioner’s final declaration of disclosure and then you can go down to the bottom, number 4. And there’s a box where you can waive yours and the respondents completion of the final declaration disclosure.

And the reason that you’re going to mark is that because there is no stipulation or in agreement and that the judgment is being entered by default.

So, keep that in mind on the default judgments, it’s apparently a change, a recent change and then we’re talking this is now September 12, 2013.

One more thing that you’ll go on, make sure that you either do your final disclosures or waive the final disclosures.

Tim Blankenship, divorce661.com.

We specialize in California divorce. We talk a lot about judgment, so, keep checking back and for more information and continue watching our videos or give us a call if you’d like some help with your divorce – 661-281-0266.

Los Angeles Divorce | Affordable Flat Fee Divorce Service

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Los Angeles Divorce | Affordable Flat Fee Divorce Service

Today we are talking about our affordable divorce service in California.

We are a small firm in northern LA County. We serve all the California courts. And we have a way where we can provide our service to you completely online.

Now, when I say online it’s a little of misnomer, we are online but we’re different from any of the other online divorce companies. In that, we actually type up your forms for you. You’ll notice, if you’re searching around many of the other companies will say you’re going to fill out a questionnaire and it’s completely automated.

We don’t do that. We have many clients who have come to us who have attempted to use these services and failed. The forms were done incorrectly and not to mention, you have to do all the work. You fill out the forms then you get the forms mailed to you or you print them out in your home.

Now you’re left with the twenty page instruction sheet of what to do. File this, serve that and you have to do all the work and that’s one of the most difficult parts. Filling out the forms is relatively easy.

With us, we will make a phone appointment with you. We can do it by email but no questionnaires. We go step by step over the phone with you and we actually type up the forms based on your responses. That way, we’re there to answer your questions and explain the process. You fully understand what’s going on, why you’re checking a certain box or why you’re providing a certain answer.

This way there’s no mistakes. This is a serious matter even on the uncontested divorce you want to get the documents right, you want to get them served correctly and that’s what were here for.

We are a full service firm. Providing our divorce service online and over the phone to help you get through this. Since we started making these videos, our business has picked up dramatically with people who want a personal touch with their divorce. Even though it’s remotely done, even though it’s done online and over the phone. Someone they can call, someone they can ask questions and that has done very well for us.

As far as costs, you’ll find that, even though our fees are slightly higher than the online firms, we’re going to save you money on court fees because we’re able to get those fees waived and we’ll talk about that when you call us.

And so our fees are reduced because we’re going to save you in court fees. So, make sure you’re going to ask me about that.

My name is Tim Blankenship. divorce661.com.

Please give me a call so I can talk to you about your particular issues in your case anywhere in California so I can explain the process and let you know how we can get this done for you and make the frustration and costs minimal for you. 662-281-0266. Tim Blankenship. divorce661.com.

Los Angeles Divorce | You Must Pay Filing Fee For Response

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Los Angeles Divorce | You Must Pay Filing Fee For Response

Today I had an interesting call I wanted to share with you.

A call from a client or a potential client rather that had a misunderstanding on the filing fees when you file a response.

If you file for divorce, you’re going to file summons and petitions. You’re going to pay a filing fee. If the other party’s going to file a response, they also have to pay a fee.

This is common knowledge but I figured if one person had this been misunderstanding, others do and I have heard of occurrences where people have mailed in responses to the court and assumed it was filed, and there was no fee attached. So, the court just throws in the trash literally, they don’t know what to do with it.

When your spouse files for divorce, they have not paid for the entire divorce, they have paid their half of the filing fee. If you’re going to file a response, you’re also going to have to pay that $435 for instance, to file a response.

Just make sure if you are going to respond, you either need to pay the fee or you need to request the fee waiver and there’s a very strict guidelines in qualifying for fee waivers. But there is a fee to file a response and participate in the case. I think this person, the word he said “well my wife already paid for the divorce” and that’s not the case. She paid for her filing only and not for the response.

Now, we do have a method that’s called a hybrid dissolution, what that means is you purposely will not file a response but you can still enter the case by doing your financial disclosures and signing a written agreement.

This is what we do 90% of the time because it saves you guys $435 or at least the other party $435. And if you guys are doing this together you can simply split the initial filing fee.

It’s called a hybrid dissolution, its where one party files, the other party doesn’t respond, the case is going to proceed by default but it’s going to be default with agreement.

If you want more information on this particular type of judgment, it’s a divorce like any other. You get the same result it just saves you money.

Stay on my YouTube channel and search for hybrid dissolution judgment or hybrid divorce judgment checklist. I’ve done a couple of videos on it.

Go ahead and take a look at that and it goes over the checklist and why you can save $435.

File a response, pay a fee or fee waiver. Do a hybrid and don’t worry about having to pay a fee and you can still enter into a stipulated judgment with your spouse without paying the fee.

My name is Tim Blankenship. divorce661.com is our website.

Give me a call. 661-281-0266.

We specialize in California divorce. Look forward to working with you.

Los Angeles Divorce | How To Complete Change Of Address

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Los Angeles Divorce | How To Complete Change Of Address

Today I want to talk to you about the change of address form that you need to file if you move during your divorce.

The clerk’s office has very specific rules or guidelines you could say in where they mail your documents. So, I want to talk to you about the change of address form and why it’s important you update your records with the court.

Let’s assume you file for divorce, you live in a location where, you file for divorce on your summons and petition and your case cover sheet that tells the court where you live. That’s the address the court’s going to have on record for you.

Not that they’re going to mail anything to you probably but if they were say for instance to set a hearing or something along those lines. They do that by mail, they don’t call you so you’re going to want to have your address correct with them.

The most important part is when you file your judgment. When you file your judgment, you’re going to file several documents. It’s twenty to twenty-five pages depending on your circumstances and one of those is a notice of entry of judgment form. It’s FL190 I believe.

That form is going to be mailed to you when you submit your final judgment, if the address on that document does not match the address that you initially filed with the court for that, if all your paperwork is correct, everything else is fine, they will reject your judgment because of a wrong address.

This is form MC-040 I believe, you can submit that change of address with your judgment just make sure you serve a copy or at least you give evidence of serving a copy on the other party but make sure you have that change of address completed.

Either before you submit your judgment or along with the submitted judgment so they know the address is correct and you notified the other party.

My name is Tim Blankenship. divorce661.com is our site.

For more information, you can give us a call at 661-218-0266. We specialize in the California divorce process.

 

 

Cheap Affordable Divorce Los Angeles

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

Cheap Affordable Divorce Los Angeles

I have a licensed and bonded legal document preparation firm. We specialize only in divorce in Los Angeles County and we do serve all the Los Angeles County courts.

We’re a full service firm which means that we do take care of everything from start to finish.

We’re going to file your paperwork. We’re going to prepare your paperwork so you’re not going to have to figure out what forms to use. We’re going to file your papers with the court, we’re going to take them down so you won’t have to.

We’re going to serve your document on your spouse; we can do that by mail or by personal service – it’s your option.

We’re going to do all your financial declarations. We’re going to run you through the entire process, complete your final judgment and get your case complete for one, cheap, affordable, flat rate.

No talking about process, our prices start anywhere from $599 – really depends on the amount of work we’re going to be doing for you. However, the good news is that when you use our service, we’re going to help you avoid paying some of the court fees.

When you file for divorce, you’re going be required to pay two filing fees. When you file your petition, you’re going to have to pay $435. When your spouse files a response, they’re going to have to pay $435.

We use a process where by only one fee will be paid this saving you $435.

Those fees will then help offset the cost of our service and then allows us to take the case from you, do everything for you, saving you time, money and frustration in the divorce process.

We offer 100% customer support when we’re going through the process. We’re always available via phone, email, fax – you name it; we’re happy to answer your questions, which you’ll have a lot of, throughout the process.

Please give us call, we’d be happy to help you. We offer free phone consultation. 661-281-0266 – that’s my direct line.

We’re headquartered in Santa Clarita but most of all we do is done completely online or over the phone.

We have clients all throughout California. We’d be happy to help you. We are the only divorce document preparation firm that only does divorce in all of LA County.

So make sure to use the experts – 661-281-0266. My name is Tim Blankenship, please give me a call or visit our website for more information at divorce661.com.

Thanks!