Other Resources:
Free help if you get stuck: If you have questions that this website did not answer, free help is available. Most counties have a “Family Law Facilitator” available to the public. A Family Law Facilitator is an employee of the court, typically an attorney, who can assist you with completing court forms and can provide you with guidance in regards to court procedures. The Family Law Facilitator is free. Check with your local court for the drop-in hours and locations when the facilitator will be available. In addition, most counties offer free divorce workshops you can attend. Another free resource is the county law library (which is different from a regular library). If you go to the law library, ask the librarian direct you to the section of the library where the family law books are kept. There are a number of multi-volume family law guides that can provide you with the answers to most of the questions you may have. The “California Practice Guide – Family Law” by the Rutter Group is particularly good.
Another option is to schedule a consultation with a family law lawyer in your area. Many divorce lawyers offer an initial free consultation. Schedule a free consultation and you may be able to get your questions answered. Also, check with your employer to see if your employer participates in a legal referral program. Many large employers have joined legal referral plans. Under most of these plans, employees are eligible for a free initial consultation with a local lawyer as well as a substantial discount on the lawyer’s normal hourly rate.