Can You Get a Divorce in Glendale Without an Attorney? | Glendale Divorce

Posted by Gail Brion on

 

Can You Get a Divorce in Glendale Without an Attorney?

Yes. If you and your spouse are on the same page about property, support, and custody, a divorce in Glendale can be finalized without hiring an attorney. Electronic filing and remote processing make it possible to complete the entire process quickly, affordably, and without stepping into a courtroom.

When you don’t need a lawyer

An attorney is not required when both spouses agree on all major issues. That means agreement on:

  • Division of property and debts
  • Child custody and visitation schedules
  • Child support and spousal support, if any

When those items are resolved, the remaining work is paperwork and court filings. In Glendale, most of that can be handled electronically, removing the need for in-person hearings.

How the Glendale process works

Glendale courts accept electronic filings, which allows for a largely remote divorce process. Key steps include:

  • Preparing and filing the initial petition and summons
  • Exchanging financial disclosures
  • Drafting a marital settlement agreement or judgment
  • E-filing the final judgment for court approval

Because the court accepts filings online, couples who are in agreement often do not need to appear in court at all. That saves time, reduces stress, and avoids many of the costs associated with traditional litigation.

What a full-service, attorney-free solution can do for you

A professional service can manage the entire process for an amicable divorce without charging hourly attorney fees. Typical services include:

  • Preparing and e-filing petitions and responses
  • Drafting and reviewing the settlement agreement
  • Preparing required financial disclosures and supporting schedules
  • Handling final judgment submission and processing

Flat-fee pricing is common for these services, which makes costs predictable and often far lower than hiring an attorney by the hour.

Real-world example

One Glendale couple agreed on everything but felt overwhelmed by the forms. Rather than paying thousands in legal fees, they used a full-service e-filing solution. Their paperwork was prepared, filed, and finalized remotely. The divorce was finalized with no court appearances and no attorneys involved, leaving both parties with less stress and lower cost.

Benefits of skipping the lawyer when appropriate

  • Cost savings – Flat fees instead of hourly billing can save thousands.
  • Speed – E-filing and no court dates often mean a faster resolution.
  • Convenience – Handle everything online from home.
  • Clarity – Documents prepared by professionals ensure forms are completed correctly the first time.

Is this the right path for you?

An attorney-free divorce works best when both spouses are cooperative, honest about finances, and able to reach clear agreements on the major issues. If there are disputes over custody, property division, or support, legal counsel may still be necessary.

Practical next steps

  1. Confirm that you and your spouse agree on property, support, and custody issues.
  2. Gather financial documents for disclosures: pay stubs, tax returns, account statements, and property records.
  3. Choose a full-service e-filing provider that offers document preparation, filing, and judgment processing for a flat fee.
  4. Review and sign the settlement agreement and disclosures.
  5. File the final judgment and wait for court approval.

Final thoughts

An amicable, attorney-free divorce in Glendale is not only possible but practical for many couples. When both parties agree and the paperwork is handled correctly, electronic filing makes the process fast, affordable, and stress-free. For couples who want to avoid expensive attorney fees while ensuring everything is done right, a full-service, flat-fee solution can be an excellent option.

To explore this option, visit divorce661.com for a free consultation and information about attorney-free full service divorce solutions in California.

Santa Clarita Divorce: How to Navigate an Amicable Divorce Without Filing a Response | Los Angeles Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

Santa Clarita Divorce: How to Navigate an Amicable Divorce Without Filing a Response

Going through a divorce can be a daunting process, especially when navigating the legal system on your own. If you’re handling your own divorce in Santa Clarita and using the Court’s self-help centers, you’ve likely encountered the assumption that your case is not amicable and will end up in court or trial. However, there’s another path—one that allows you and your spouse to finalize your divorce amicably without the need to file a formal response. This approach not only simplifies the process but can also save you money on additional court fees.

Understanding the Standard Divorce Process in Santa Clarita

The typical process for an uncontested divorce begins when one spouse files the divorce paperwork and formally serves the other spouse. Once served, the spouse has 30 days to file a response. This response is a critical step in the court’s procedure, as it officially acknowledges the divorce filing and triggers subsequent legal steps.

However, this standard approach assumes that the divorce may involve disputes that could require court intervention. As a result, the courts prepare for the possibility of trial or hearings right from the start.

When Is a Response Not Required?

If you and your spouse are on amicable terms and have agreed on the terms of your divorce, there is a way to bypass the formal response filing altogether. When both parties are cooperative and sign a written agreement outlining the terms of the divorce, the process can move forward without the need for the spouse to file a response.

This method is particularly useful because it:

  • Eliminates the need for the second court fee that is typically required when filing a response.
  • Saves time by streamlining the divorce process.
  • Reduces stress by avoiding unnecessary court appearances.
  • Allows both parties to remain fully involved in the divorce proceedings.

How We Handle Amicable Divorces in Santa Clarita

Our approach to amicable divorces focuses on cooperation and clear communication between spouses. Instead of preparing for conflict, we work with clients to draft comprehensive agreements that cover all necessary aspects of the divorce. This way, both parties have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and rights, and the court can finalize the divorce without additional filings.

The key takeaway here is that if you and your spouse are truly amicable, the court process can be much smoother. No response is needed, which means fewer fees and less procedural hassle.

Final Thoughts

Divorce doesn’t always have to be contentious or complicated. If you’re navigating a Santa Clarita divorce and want to avoid unnecessary court fees and filings, consider whether an amicable approach is possible. By working together and signing a written agreement, you can streamline the divorce process and move forward with your lives more quickly and peacefully.

Remember, the courts’ default assumption is often that conflict will arise, but with cooperation, you can take a different—and often better—path.

For more detailed guidance on amicable divorce processes in Santa Clarita, visit our Divorce661 YouTube channel where we provide practical advice and support for navigating divorce with confidence.

Don’t Fall Victim To Cheap Online Divorce Document Providers | California Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

If you are searching for online for divorce assistance in California you will undoubtedly find many cheap and low cost services.

I want you to understand the difference between a professional document preparation service and what these online services provide so you can make a decision on which is best suited for you.

I am looking at a Google search I just did for “cheap divorce”.  What you will find is divorce document preparation companies offering services as low as $89.95 for do-it-yourself kits.  Others are selling what is referred to as “automated document assembly” where you fill out an online questionnaire which will auto populate the divorce forms.

So let’s discuss a couple of these options.

Do It Yourself Divorce Kits 

Do it yourself kits are exactly that.  You pay for them to send you the divorce forms.  You will receive a box with a lot of  forms, many that you will never need.  By the way, all the divorce forms are available at the Court House or online completely free.  There is absolutely no reason to pay for your forms, but many do all the time.

Automated Document Assembly

Automated document assembly is where you answer questions online and your answers are automatically populated into the divorce forms.  It seems like a good idea at first glance, until you realize the limitations.

Here are the problems with this type of service.

  1. There is nobody there to tell you if you are providing the correct information.
  2. The divorce forms are usually not updated to the correct version.
  3. They don’t provide you with the local forms for your County.
  4. Nobody reviews your documents.  Once you save and print, you are on your own.
  5. There is no assistance with the “process” of filing and serving your documents.

I actually purchased the licensing rights at one point to sell an automated document assembly.  I had people use it and realized immediately the pitfalls and shortcomings of the software.  These types of systems have not place in a complex process such as divorce.

Full Service Divorce Document Preparation

This is what we provide, a full service divorce document preparation service.  We are licensed and bonded legal document preparers that specialize in divorce in Los Angeles County.  We have worked for the courts and for large law firms and are familiar with the process and how to correctly complete the paperwork.

Here is what you get with our service.

  1. We complete all your documents. No Questionnaires.
  2. We file all your documents with the court.  You won’t go to court.
  3. We inform you step by step of the procedure along the way.  Trust me, you will have lots of questions.
  4. We are available by phone and email to answer all your questions.

I provided this run down of the different services because I was getting too many people calling me for help with their divorce who had already wasted their money on purchasing their forms or the automated document assembly service only to be left with nothing more than paper for their trash.

Should You Use A Divorce Self Help Book | Santa Clarita Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

There are tons of self help divorce books on the market these days.  But is a book the best way to get through a complicated divorce process even if you are using the self help divorce book to complete your own divorce?

I recently went to the Santa Clarita Library and checked out at least 10 different “How To Divorce” books to see if they would be helpful to someone who was trying to complete their divorce on their own.  Here is what I learned.

First let me say that I know a lot about filing out divorce forms and divorce procedure.  That said, these do-it-yourself divorce books were super confusing.  I had to double check several times to see what they were talking about.

First off, they all start off by talking a little bit about California Law.  They give you a few tidbits about spousal support and child support and other general information.

Then comes the worst part.  The part where they show you how to complete the divorce forms.  This was very funny to me because it the pages looked more like a geometry lesson.

There were lines drawn from words of instruction  on one page to spots on the form they were talking about.  There were lines and arrows all over the page explaining what goes where and a lot of “if this, then that” scenarios.   It was very confusing and i would feel bad for anyone that spent money on these books.

Most of the self help divorce books included a CD (that was missing because I went to the library) but the common theme throughout each of the books was that their was a phone number you could call if you needed help.  They are all written by lawyers and the number you would call was to their law firm or lawyer referral group.

It makes me wonder, due the confusing nature of the books, if they really want to help people going through divorce or just want to make a little money on the sale of the book and hope people call for divorce assistance when they can’t figure it out form using the divorce self help book.  Sort of a lead generation tool if you will.

If you are looking for assistance with your divorce, there are better ways than using a book.  Books are so old fashion anyways.  For instance, how about blogs or videos about divorce.  We have both blogs and videos about divorce and the process and how to fill out the divorce forms.  Don’t you think a video will be much easier to understand?

And if you get tired of watching our how-to-divorce-videos, you can always give us a call, and we can assist you in preparing your divorce for a flat fee.  No attorneys here to charge you by the hour.

We are a licensed and bonded legal document preparation company that specializes in divorce in Los Angeles County and look forward to helping your complete your divorce.