top of page
vtymX3M9pAD_edited.png
We are a document preparation and legal support service for attorneys. You do not hire us - you hire the attorney.
  • Linkedin
  • gmb
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Pinterest
CiHy1ufn18u.webp

Our Blog

Family Law 101 — Choosing Your Path

  • Jun 24
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 10

author: The Team at Paralegal and Trial Tech Services

In our last post, we talked about the California Default Trap—the danger of filing a vague Petition. But before you can worry about the 'ceiling' of your case, you have to choose which path you are taking.


Welcome to Family Law 101 — a series designed to walk you through the California family law process, one clear step at a time. Whether you're facing divorce, custody issues, or just trying to understand your options, this series breaks down the jargon, the forms, and the deadlines so you can move forward with confidence.


No legalese. No guesswork. Just practical guidance from people who've spent decades inside the system.


In this first post, we'll start at the very beginning: choosing which door to walk through.

Starting a family law case can feel like standing in a hallway of doors and not knowing which one opens to the right next step. We help you identify the right procedural door, keep the process clear, and prepare documents in a supportive, low-stress environment.

The Main Entry Points

Petition Type

Form Number

Brief description

Dissolution (Divorce)

FL-100

Divorce for married couples.

Legal Separation

FL-100

For couples not seeking divorce.

Nullity (Annulment)

FL-100

Requests to annul a marriage.

Parentage

FL-200

Establishing legal parents (unmarried).

Custody and Support of Minor Children

FL-260

For parents with already established parentage.

Joint Petition

FL-700

For couples who agree on all issues but don't qualify for Summary Dissolution (e.g., they have children or real property).

Summary Dissolution

FL-800

The streamlined 'shortcut' for couples married under 5 years, with no children, no real property, and limited assets/debts.

Note: Most petitions require a Summons (FL-110 or FL-210) to officially notify the other party, but both the FL-700 (Joint Petition) and the FL-800 (Summary Dissolution) bypass the standard FL-110 Summons requirement.
Note: The FL-800 (Summary Dissolution) is a streamlined shortcut with strict eligibility requirements — married under 5 years, no children, no real property, and limited assets/debts. If you don't meet those, the FL-700 (Joint Petition) may still be an option for agreeing couples.

Picking your door is step one. But the legal clock does not start ticking the moment you file—it starts the moment the other party is served. In our next post, Starting the Clock, we will explain the 6-month rule and why Proof of Service is one of the most important papers in the case.

An allegorical boutique scene with an old-fashioned winding key hovering over a vintage door frame, warm light streaming through the keyhole, and the C-Flourish Circle Seal subtly embossed on the door in navy and gold tones.

Quick Reference / Service Fees

  • Standard Sessions (New Client Appointment, Document Review, Document Preparation, Case Debrief): $130 for 60/90 mins (Varies by service)

  • Emergency Appointment (60-Minutes): $210 ($200 Cash/Digital Discount)

  • Standard CA Court Filing Fee: $435 (unless a fee waiver applies).

Note: We offer a "Digital & Cash" discount for payments made via cash, check, Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App. Just ask at check out!

Expertise you can trust: We bring 36 years of paralegal experience, with 15 years of judicial and court management experience, to every case so your documents are handled with precision and care.

Hours — Tue–Fri, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed Mon & Lunch 12–1 PM). Location — 720 North Norma Street, Suite C, Ridgecrest, CA 93555. Supervision — All legal assistance is attorney-supervised or directed where required.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page