Family Law & Divorce Assistance

Compassionate Document Support for Life’s Transitions

Family law matters, particularly divorce and issues involving children, are deeply personal and emotionally charged. During such a sensitive time, the added stress of complex legal paperwork can be overwhelming. ELB Legal Services offers compassionate, professional, and affordable document preparation assistance for individuals navigating the family court system in California. We help you manage the procedural requirements by ensuring your documents are prepared accurately and professionally, allowing you to focus on your family’s well-being and future.

Disclaimer: ELB Legal Services is a paralegal service and Legal Document Assistant (LDA). Ellen Bynum is not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice, suggest legal strategies, or represent you in court. Our services are limited to the completion of legal documents at your direction for self-represented individuals. If you have a contested case or require legal advice, we strongly urge you to consult with a qualified family law attorney.

Our Family Law Document Preparation Services

We provide expert assistance in preparing the wide range of documents required for various family law proceedings in California. We work under your direction to ensure every form is completed accurately based on the information and agreements you provide.

Our services cover:

• Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce): We can prepare the entire packet of documents for an uncontested divorce, from the initial filing to the final judgment. This includes:
  • Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110)
  • Proof of Service of Summons (FL-115)
  • Declaration Under UCCJEA (FL-105) (if children are involved)
  • Preliminary and Final Declarations of Disclosure (FL-140, FL-142, FL-150): These crucial financial disclosures require meticulous attention to detail.
  • Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA): If you and your spouse have reached an agreement on all issues (property division, support, custody), we can formalize this agreement into the proper legal format.
  • Judgment (FL-180) and associated forms for a final decree.
• Legal Separation: For couples who wish to separate their lives and finances but remain legally married, we can prepare the necessary documents, which are very similar to those for a divorce.
• Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time): We can help you prepare the forms to establish, modify, or enforce child custody and visitation orders, including the preparation of detailed parenting plans based on your agreements.
• Child and Spousal Support: We assist in preparing the documents to request or respond to child support and spousal support (alimony) orders. This includes preparing the Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150), a foundational document for all support calculations.
• Establishing Paternity: For unmarried parents, we can prepare the Petition to Establish Parental Relationship (FL-200) and related forms to legally establish parentage and set up custody and support orders.

Why Choose a Paralegal for Your Family Law Paperwork?

For many individuals with uncontested or straightforward family law cases, the primary hurdle is the paperwork, not a legal dispute. This is where our services provide immense value.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Hiring an attorney for an uncontested divorce can cost thousands of dollars. Our document preparation services are a fraction of that cost, making the legal process more accessible.
• Accuracy and Professionalism: Family court clerks can reject filings due to simple errors. With our experience, we ensure your documents meet court standards, minimizing the risk of delays.
• Reducing Stress: We take the burden of understanding and completing dozens of complicated forms off your shoulders. Our organized and methodical approach brings clarity and peace of mind.

Our process is client-focused and straightforward. We start with a consultation to understand your needs and the scope of work. You provide the necessary personal and financial information, and we expertly prepare the documents. You will have a final opportunity to review everything for accuracy before we provide the completed packet with clear instructions for filing it yourself at the courthouse.

Let ELB Legal Services be your trusted partner in preparing your family law documents. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn more.