Before you start Get familiar with a few key terms The way you fill out these forms will impact the outcome of your case, so it’s important to do it correctly. The forms include some terms that may be unfamiliar to you. You can read more about these terms:| selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
Self-Help Centers can provide legal information and resources to people without a lawyer. Help can be in person, over the phone, or online.| selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
There are many ways to find legal help. This guide can help you learn about free or low-cost legal help, as well as understand when and how to hire a lawyer for your case.| selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
When to ask for a fee waiver Typically, you ask for a fee waiver when you first file papers and have to pay your first filing fee. You can also ask for a fee waiver if you can't afford fees later in your case.| selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
Legal separation basics In a legal separation, you stay married but the court divides your property and debts and makes orders about financial support. If you have children together, you can also ask for orders about their care and support. You can ask the judge to make orders about:| selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
Annulment basics You must give a reason why your marriage wasn't legal from the start A judge can only annul a marriage for a specific legal reason. A few examples| selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
Get help with papers I was served| selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
Order to Seal Arrest and Related Records (Pen. Code, Sections 851.91, 851.92) (CR-410)| selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
This page doesn't cover suing a healthcare provider (medical malpractice). Those tend to be very expensive and complex cases. On this page:| selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
A judge has to approve how you’ll divide your property and debts Part of your divorce involves dividing your property and debts. Property is anything you can buy or sell or has value. For example, a house, car, or furniture. It’s also things like a bank account, pension, 401k, or stocks.| selfhelp.courts.ca.gov
Overview In California, you get a divorce by starting a court case. No one has to prove someone did something wrong to cause the divorce (this is called no fault divorce). You can get a divorce even if the other person doesn't want one.| selfhelp.courts.ca.gov