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130 threads

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Mediation tomorrow and I'm terrified

Started by first_mediation2 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by first_mediation · 2 months ago
Ex parte — heard this is for emergencies

Started by ex_parte_panic2 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by ex_parte_panic · 2 months ago
Just got served and I have no idea what's happening

Started by blindsided_222 months agoCA

2replies
42views
by blindsided_22 · 2 months ago
Can he take me off the car insurance during the case

Started by kicked_off_auto2 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by kicked_off_auto · 2 months ago
Will my immigration status come up in divorce

Started by status_threat2 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by status_threat · 2 months ago
Restraining order in the middle of a divorce

Started by broken_window2 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by broken_window · 2 months ago
He took the kids to his mother's and won't bring them back

Started by missing_kids_now2 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by missing_kids_now · 2 months ago
Lawyer wants to withdraw 3 weeks before trial

Started by lawyer_walking2 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by lawyer_walking · 2 months ago
My lawyer ghosted me three weeks ago

Started by ghosted_client2 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by ghosted_client · 2 months ago
Discovery deadline missed — by me

Started by missed_discovery2 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by missed_discovery · 2 months ago
He emptied the joint account the day I filed

Started by scared_and_broke2 months agoCA

2replies
42views
by scared_and_broke · 2 months ago
Dog custody — please don't laugh

Started by dog_mom_first2 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by dog_mom_first · 2 months ago
He's saying I'm an unfit mother because I work nights

Started by night_shift_mom2 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by night_shift_mom · 2 months ago
Notice of entry of judgment in the mail

Started by the_big_paper2 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by the_big_paper · 2 months ago
Can I move out of the house before the divorce is final

Started by stuck_at_home2 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by stuck_at_home · 2 months ago
Filed last month, spouse still hasn't been served

Started by tired_in_sac2 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by tired_in_sac · 2 months ago
Final judgment package keeps getting kicked back

Started by judgment_rejected2 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by judgment_rejected · 2 months ago
What is an RFO and why do I need to file one

Started by rfo_what2 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by rfo_what · 2 months ago
Filing fee waiver — what they actually look at

Started by snap_fee_waiver3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by snap_fee_waiver · 3 months ago
Pro per — can I really represent myself

Started by going_pro_per3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by going_pro_per · 3 months ago
He won't return the kids on Sunday like the order says

Started by sunday_six_pm3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by sunday_six_pm · 3 months ago
Custody when one parent has bipolar disorder

Started by stable_six_years3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by stable_six_years · 3 months ago
How long after filing until first court date

Started by waiting_in_silence3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by waiting_in_silence · 3 months ago
Default judgment — what does that actually mean for me

Started by missed_deadline3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by missed_deadline · 3 months ago
Why do I have to give him my W-2s

Started by private_paycheck3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by private_paycheck · 3 months ago
U visa victim of DV — separate process from divorce

Started by u_visa_dv3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by u_visa_dv · 3 months ago
What does 'judgment entered' mean

Started by judgment_entered_now3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by judgment_entered_now · 3 months ago
School enrollment — he won't sign the forms

Started by kinder_registration3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by kinder_registration · 3 months ago
Frozen credit cards mid divorce

Started by frozen_credit3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by frozen_credit · 3 months ago
She filed for divorce and I want to reconcile

Started by second_chances3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by second_chances · 3 months ago
Name change after divorce — DMV won't accept the form

Started by dmv_name_change3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by dmv_name_change · 3 months ago
Spouse keeps changing lawyers

Started by third_law_firm3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by third_law_firm · 3 months ago
Should I record him during arguments

Started by record_or_not3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by record_or_not · 3 months ago
Imputed income — they're saying I could earn more

Started by imputed_pressure3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by imputed_pressure · 3 months ago
My stepkids feel like second-class kids in our blended family

Started by anon_blended3 months agoCA

2replies
42views
by anon_blended · 3 months ago
1replies
27views
by j_ramos · 3 months ago
Landlord won't renew our lease — we have a newborn

Started by willow_oak3 months agoCA

2replies
42views
by willow_oak · 3 months ago
Lawyer wants $15k retainer for a contested divorce

Started by fifteen_k_retainer3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by fifteen_k_retainer · 3 months ago
DV TRO and divorce — do they connect

Started by two_cases_one_him3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by two_cases_one_him · 3 months ago
Disclosure forms are 40 pages and I don't know where to start

Started by paperwork_panic3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by paperwork_panic · 3 months ago
Deposition — is it as scary as people say

Started by depo_in_two_weeks3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by depo_in_two_weeks · 3 months ago
Move-away request — moving for a job

Started by job_offer_north3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by job_offer_north · 3 months ago
When does the court appoint an attorney for the children

Started by minors_counsel_q3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by minors_counsel_q · 3 months ago
Court denied my fee waiver and I'm done

Started by fee_denied_again3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by fee_denied_again · 3 months ago
Do I really need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce

Started by amicable_split3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by amicable_split · 3 months ago
0replies
12views
by pro_tem_what · 3 months ago
How do I get past wanting him back

Started by still_miss_him3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by still_miss_him · 3 months ago
What is a parenting plan supposed to include

Started by two_paragraphs3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by two_paragraphs · 3 months ago
Custody evaluation — they sent a 730 evaluator

Started by seven_thirty3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by seven_thirty · 3 months ago
Self help center — what to bring on first visit

Started by first_self_help3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by first_self_help · 3 months ago
Living together but not married — what happens when we split

Started by never_made_it_legal3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by never_made_it_legal · 3 months ago
Dating during a pending divorce

Started by missing_being_seen3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by missing_being_seen · 3 months ago
Domestic violence diversion class — what happens next

Started by fifty_two_weeks3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by fifty_two_weeks · 3 months ago
How is custody actually decided when parents disagree

Started by best_interest_who3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by best_interest_who · 3 months ago
Pro bono — does anyone actually qualify

Started by too_rich_too_poor3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by too_rich_too_poor · 3 months ago
He stopped paying child support and there's an order

Started by owed_six_months3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by owed_six_months · 3 months ago
Discovery requests — what is a request for production

Started by discovery_drowning3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by discovery_drowning · 3 months ago
Limited scope lawyer — anyone tried that route

Started by unbundled_legal3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by unbundled_legal · 3 months ago
Discord groups for going through divorce

Started by tired_of_crying_alone3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by tired_of_crying_alone · 3 months ago
Contempt of court — when is it worth filing

Started by contempt_question3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by contempt_question · 3 months ago
Can the judge order us to therapy

Started by ordered_therapy3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by ordered_therapy · 3 months ago
How do you tell your boss you're going through divorce

Started by work_finding_out3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by work_finding_out · 3 months ago
Spousal support after a 6 year marriage in CA

Started by calculating_future3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by calculating_future · 3 months ago
He's hiding the kids' passports

Started by passports_locked3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by passports_locked · 3 months ago
Recusal — judge made a comment about me

Started by biased_bench3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by biased_bench · 3 months ago
Filing in the wrong county — does it matter

Started by wrong_courthouse3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by wrong_courthouse · 3 months ago
Date of separation matters and I can't pin it down

Started by separated_when3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by separated_when · 3 months ago
Premarital agreement — is it really enforceable

Started by prenup_panic3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by prenup_panic · 3 months ago
Commingled funds — I deposited my inheritance in joint checking

Started by commingled_oops3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by commingled_oops · 3 months ago
Modest means panel — what is that

Started by modest_means_curious3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by modest_means_curious · 3 months ago
Default judgment in my favor — can he undo it later

Started by default_undo3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by default_undo · 3 months ago
Cheating ex got everyone in our friend group to take his side

Started by friend_group_split3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by friend_group_split · 3 months ago
DCSS — has anyone used the child support agency

Started by considering_dcss3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by considering_dcss · 3 months ago
What's the deal with separate property

Started by grandma_inheritance3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by grandma_inheritance · 3 months ago
How do I figure out what's community property

Started by 401k_question3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by 401k_question · 3 months ago
Adultery — does it matter in California

Started by kept_receipts3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by kept_receipts · 3 months ago
Temporary orders — how temporary is temporary

Started by temp_means_what3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by temp_means_what · 3 months ago
My kids are taking his side

Started by teens_cold3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by teens_cold · 3 months ago
Filing online vs in person — which is faster

Started by efile_or_paper3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by efile_or_paper · 3 months ago
House is in his name only but I paid the mortgage for 8 years

Started by equity_share3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by equity_share · 3 months ago
Spousal support — how does the judge pick the number

Started by support_calc3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by support_calc · 3 months ago
Tracing — is it worth chasing

Started by tracing_costs3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by tracing_costs · 3 months ago
I read his texts — admissible or not

Started by screenshots_ready3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by screenshots_ready · 3 months ago
Crypto in the divorce

Started by crypto_question3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by crypto_question · 3 months ago
He's hiding income through his business

Started by ledger_lies3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by ledger_lies · 3 months ago
Telling your own parents you're divorcing

Started by parents_will_be_sad3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by parents_will_be_sad · 3 months ago
Reconciliation while case is pending — does that pause it

Started by tried_again3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by tried_again · 3 months ago
What is a settlement conference and is it required

Started by msc_mandatory3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by msc_mandatory · 3 months ago
Can I get reimbursed for the mortgage I've been paying alone

Started by epstein_credit3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by epstein_credit · 3 months ago
Lawyer keeps using terms I don't understand

Started by latin_legal3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by latin_legal · 3 months ago
International travel with kids after divorce

Started by wants_to_visit_lola3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by wants_to_visit_lola · 3 months ago
Online divorce services — legit or trap

Started by one_fifty_nine3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by one_fifty_nine · 3 months ago
Tribal court jurisdiction — both members, ICWA child

Started by tribal_court_q3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by tribal_court_q · 3 months ago
Watts credits — heard this term, no idea

Started by free_rent_for_him3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by free_rent_for_him · 3 months ago
Standing temporary orders — they exist before I even ask?

Started by automatic_trots3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by automatic_trots · 3 months ago
How to find a divorce financial planner

Started by cdfa_question3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by cdfa_question · 3 months ago
Annulment vs divorce — which one applies

Started by bigamy_surprise3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by bigamy_surprise · 3 months ago
0replies
12views
by nonbio_mom · 3 months ago
Vehicle title in only his name but I drove it for 9 years

Started by lexus_question3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by lexus_question · 3 months ago
Divorce after 25 years — gray divorce questions

Started by twenty_five_year3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by twenty_five_year · 3 months ago
Service by publication — really? In a newspaper?

Started by publish_newspaper3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by publish_newspaper · 3 months ago
DivorceCare vs therapy — anyone done both

Started by two_kinds_help3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by two_kinds_help · 3 months ago
Joint legal vs joint physical — confused

Started by joint_legal_means3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by joint_legal_means · 3 months ago
Divorce coach — is this a real thing or a scam

Started by coach_curious3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by coach_curious · 3 months ago
Got divorced, ex won't sign the deed transfer

Started by wont_sign_deed3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by wont_sign_deed · 3 months ago
Pension valuation — what is a QDRO

Started by pension_pieces3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by pension_pieces · 3 months ago
Domestic partnership dissolution — different from divorce

Started by rdp_unwinding3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by rdp_unwinding · 3 months ago
0replies
12views
by joint_llc · 3 months ago
How do I serve someone I can't find

Started by missing_spouse3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by missing_spouse · 3 months ago
Social Security as a divorced spouse — really a thing

Started by ss_question_50s3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by ss_question_50s · 3 months ago
Health savings account split

Started by hsa_split3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by hsa_split · 3 months ago
Divorce trial — how many people actually go to one

Started by going_to_trial3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by going_to_trial · 3 months ago
What is bifurcation and would it help me

Started by want_to_be_single3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by want_to_be_single · 3 months ago
0replies
12views
by guatemala_marriage · 3 months ago
Wedding rings — what do you do with them

Started by ring_in_drawer3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by ring_in_drawer · 3 months ago
Health insurance after divorce — losing his coverage

Started by insurance_cliff3 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by insurance_cliff · 3 months ago
What does 'irreconcilable differences' actually mean

Started by no_fault_state3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by no_fault_state · 3 months ago
Vexatious litigant — how does someone get labeled this

Started by eleven_motions3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by eleven_motions · 3 months ago
SCRA — does my spouse get to delay because of deployment

Started by scra_delay3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by scra_delay · 3 months ago
Holiday schedule and we've never written one down

Started by holiday_war3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by holiday_war · 3 months ago
Modification of custody — what is a substantial change

Started by substantial_change3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by substantial_change · 3 months ago
Stepkids' relationship with me after divorce

Started by step_mom_for_73 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by step_mom_for_7 · 3 months ago
Frequent flyer miles in divorce

Started by miles_in_play3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by miles_in_play · 3 months ago
Putative spouse — heard this term

Started by maybe_not_married3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by maybe_not_married · 3 months ago
Sanctions — fees for being a jerk

Started by fee_sanctions3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by fee_sanctions · 3 months ago
Divorce with a deployed spouse

Started by navy_spouse3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by navy_spouse · 3 months ago
Step-parent adoption — bio dad has been gone 9 years

Started by real_dad_at_home3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by real_dad_at_home · 3 months ago
Postnuptial agreement after he had an affair

Started by postnup_kept3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by postnup_kept · 3 months ago
Engagement ring — give back or keep

Started by ring_kept3 months agoCA

0replies
12views
by ring_kept · 3 months ago
Tax filing status while divorce is pending

Started by april_15_panic4 months agoCA

1replies
27views
by april_15_panic · 4 months ago
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