Custody, parenting time, and child support — handled in one place, with a licensed attorney behind every filing. Lawma’s guided intake is free; the licensed attorney you choose quotes a flat fee before any work starts.
What's really going on
There's the divorce itself — ending the marriage, dividing what you've built. And there's the part that matters most: where the children sleep, who picks them up from school, how they're supported. California law treats these as one joined case, but they feel like two different storms.
Most California parents in this position don't have a lawyer. About 70% of family-law filings have at least one self-represented party. You are not alone, and getting it right is not out of reach.
What we help with
We handle the legal pieces so you can think about your children. Your attorney reviews and approves every form before it is filed.
The divorce itself
The petition that opens your case, the response if you're the one who was served, financial disclosures, and the final judgment that closes the case.
A parenting plan
Legal custody (who makes the big decisions), physical custody (where the kids live), and a parenting-time schedule that fits school, work, and real life — not a template.
Child support — done right
California uses a guideline formula based on income and parenting time. We help you gather the numbers and present them clearly so the court order reflects what your kids actually need.
Note — the core California forms in a divorce with minor children include the FL-100 petition, the FL-110 summons, and the FL-105 UCCJEA declaration that tells the court where your children have lived. We fill the forms for you from your answers; an attorney checks them before anything goes to the court.
The process
One supervised path. You talk to Lawma in plain language; the legal machinery happens behind the scenes.
How pricing works
Your lawyer charges a pre-negotiated flat fee for the whole matter — typically $200 to $3,500, depending on how complex your case is. Divorce with custody arrangements falls toward the higher end. That single fee covers your attorney's work AND everything Lawma does: the AI-guided interview, the drafting, your case management, and the community. You never write Lawma a check.
For comparison, a divorce with kids handled traditionally by a California family law firm runs $5,000 to $12,000 in attorney fees alone. Same legal work, fraction of the cost.
If you qualify for legal aid, your fee is waived. Permanently.That's a Lawma commitment.
Traditional-attorney fee ranges are market estimates from industry surveys; specific quotes vary by attorney, jurisdiction, and matter complexity.
California also charges its own court filing fees, which can be waived if your income qualifies. We help you apply for a fee waiver if you need one — most people do.
Questions parents ask
Will I lose custody if I can't afford a lawyer?
No — and that's the whole point of Lawma. Money should not decide who raises your kids. With an attorney behind your case, you walk into court on the same footing as the other side.
How long will a California divorce with kids take?
California has a six-month minimum from the day your spouse is served. With children involved, most cases settle into a final judgment somewhere between six and eighteen months — faster if you and your spouse agree on most things.
Do we have to go to court?
Usually a hearing or two. Most California family courts now let most appearances happen by video. We prepare you for what to expect, and your attorney can speak for you on legal matters.
My spouse won't cooperate. Can Lawma still help?
Yes. California has a process for divorces where one spouse won't respond — it's called default — and the case can still move forward. We'll walk you through it.
Beyond the legal piece, a family case touches a lot of services. These vetted partners are not Lawma — but Lawma earns a small fee when you use one, and you start the request right here on Lawma so your details never go to a third-party form.
Process servers
Swift Serve
Same-day service on most family-court papers, with a certified Proof of Service handed back to your attorney.
Family mediators
Anchor Mediation
Trained family-law mediators help you reach an agreement before court, on custody, support, and property — far cheaper than fighting it out.
Mental health
Warmlight Therapy
Vetted, licensed therapists with sliding-scale rates. Telehealth and in-person. Covers divorce, separation, parenting transitions, and trauma support.
Real estate
Harbor Realty
Agents trained in divorce, downsizing, and tight-timeline sales. Honest valuations, no high-pressure listings, will work with your attorney.
Intake happens on Lawma — you never hand your details to a third-party form. Lawma earns a small referral fee when you connect with a partner; we only list services that meet our review bar, and we never run ads on your case file.
A quiet conversation, in your own words. No commitment. No cost.
