How to Do Your Own Divorce in California in 2013: An Essential Guide for Every Kind of Divorce - Softcover

Sherman, Ed

3.97

31 ratings by Goodreads

9780944508886: How to Do Your Own Divorce in California in 2013: An Essential Guide for Every Kind of Divorce

Softcover

ISBN 10: 094450888X ISBN 13: 9780944508886

Publisher: Nolo Press Occidental, 2013

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For over 40 years this is THE book Californians turn to when facing divorce. Because of this book, about 60% of all California divorces go through the court system without the help (not to mention the expense and contentiousness) of lawyers, and over the years have saved untold BILLIONS of dollars in legal fees. This book shows you how to: Understand the rules and standards for a California divorce Decide what's fair and you want in your settlement agreement File a Petition or a Response Make a Settlement Agreement Get your Judgment It also includes practical advice, step-by-step instructions, forms and free help with local forms. The first part explains in detail how the law says you can divide your property and settle issues of custody, visitation and child support. It discusses the implications of doing your own divorce, how to start a divorce, how to serve divorce papers, California residency requirements, mandatory disclosure, the difference between retaining and just using an attorney, how to solve problems that come up, when you should get some help,how much your divorce will cost, and much more. The second part guides readers through the court process step by step - how to complete each of the forms and file them with the court.

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Review:

"You not only saved me several thousand dollars but also saved me a lot of pain and concern because I had the knowledge I needed to handle the divorce process." - Mr. DM, Riverside "My divorce would not have been nearly as easy without your book. Several attorneys I consulted were not optimistic about the results they could get but I did it all my self and everything worked out infinitely better." - Ms. MS, Oakland "You saved my life ...and my wife's also." - Mr. BK, Soquel "I really admire you and I am very impressed with the quality of work you do. I work for a law firm, so I should know!" - Ms. JC "I want to report that I achieved my desired outcome completely ...I am now where I wanted to be and completely satisfied. Your approach is excellent. I was able to get the job done for a tiny fraction of what the costs might have been. Your advice was right on the nose." - Mr. HH "I feel that this kind of legal assistance is invaluable ...You really threw me a lifeline when I felt I was sinking." - Ms. SB, Albany "Thanks to you, a difficult situation was made easier. My [case] was a "piece of cake" and I'm happier than I have been in a long time!" - Ms. SD, Antioch "I'm an attorney and I really like your books. I know a lot of lawyers buy them. Your books are wonderful--they are suitable for the general public, and make a very nice overview for attorneys." - DM, Esq. "I've been a family law paralegal for 30 years and these are the clearest, most user-friendly references I have used. We have referred many clients to your volumes for custody and visitation questions -- they are able to prepare for Court, truly understand the procedures, and they achieve a better result." - Ms. CS, Legal Assistant, Family Law Facilitation Centers, Rancho Cucamonga "I recently used your How to do Your Own Divorce in California to obtain a default judgment divorce. It was so easy with your instructions, forms, illustrations and practical advice. Yesterday I received the conformed copies of the Judgment and the divorce was final!! Thank you for...writing a book that made things so simple. After a very complicated marriage, a simple divorce was a real blessing!" - Ms. EC "I am a family law paralegal and have been involved in family law in Los Angeles County in one way or another for 20 years. I have completely read How to do Your Own Divorce in California and am about 1/4 into How To Do Your Own Contested Divorce in California, and I can't tell you how excited I have been since I found them. Finally I have found that there is someone else out there who thinks the way I do! I expect to be a...big fan for the rest of my career. Thank you so much!!!" - paralegal, Los Angeles, 3/02 "Great down to earth advice and the software (CalSupport) is excellent. Definitely better than running down to the first lawyer your friends tell you about." - customer from Castro Valley, 7/29/01 "Even if you have an attorney or a paralegal helping you with the divorce, this book gives you a lot of great information on our CA legal system. It addresses the idiosyncrasies of each county venue and has all the updated forms. You can save yourself a lot of money just having the forms filled out for your legal advisor ahead of time. The Marital Settlement Agreement is invaluable. Get this book!" - customer from San Jose, 5/1/01 "These two books were indispensable in getting my two and half year divorce over with after subbing out my attorney. If I would have been aware of these great resources, I could have saved a lot of time and money and avoided a lot of mistakes! Things my attorney should have told me..." - Mr. JS, 4/20/01 "I received my Notice of Entry of Judgment today! I wanted to write to you and express my sincere appreciation. This book was all I needed in regards to forms and advice to complete my dissolution." - customer from Citrus Heights, 5/13/99 "I did the entire semi-contested divorce myself, had ALL my paperwork accepted the first time and received my judgment EXACTLY as I prepared it. Thanks very much for all the help. No doubt saved me THOUSANDS of dollars." - customer from Humboldt County, 3/14/99 "Your book is an excellent text, and I would recommend it to any attorney who is unfamiliar with family law. Yes, a person could do as good a job as the average family law attorney in my county." -- David J. Golde, family law facilitator

About the Author:

Ed Sherman was born in Hannibal, Missouri in 1938, graduated from Boalt Hall School of Law in 1964 and was admitted to the California Bar in 1965. Ed Sherman founded Nolo Press with the first edition of this book in 1971. Nolo Press is generally credited with giving the legal process back to the public. In 1988, he wrote a companion title, Practical Divorce Solutions, for people who have difficulties reaching agreement with their spouses so they can go ahead with the actual divorce. In 2000 he met the need for self-help in more difficult divorce cases with How To Do Your Own Contested Divorce in California. He has authored five other books, five video programs and four software packages to help people through divorce. In 1989 he founded the Divorce Helpline - a staff of family law attorneys and mediators who assist people doing their own divorces with advice, problem-solving and paperwork - again reducing the severe financial and emotional costs of divorce. His 2005 book, Legal Essentials for California Couples, introduced the revolutionary Couples Contract which provides a strong foundation for any relationship at any stage. The book has won acclaim from professionals in the fields of financial planning, accounting, couples counseling, and religious ministry. His 2006 book, The Couples Contract for a Lasting Relationship (with co-author Bruce Janke), expanded the Couples Contract for use nationwide. It has been hailed by even more professionals in the above fields and was favorably reviewed by the Library Journal. His 2008 book, Make Any Divorce Better!, shows couples a better way to get divorced, revealing his secrets and lessons learned from over 40 years of experience with more than 45,000 successful cases. This book has won four awards. He lives in Santa Cruz, CA.

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