Legal Question in Family Law in California
IN jan 2008 I FILLED FOR DIVORCE AND CUSTODY THROUGH THE LA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT. when our first court date came we settleed on a temperary custody order which gave me primary physical cusody and we where to return to court in six months. nothing was mentioned of the divorce. six months later we returned to court and the custody order was made permanent and child support was ordered. i then asked the judge if our divorce was also final. the judge said that matter was not handled because my husband never responded to my request. the judge indicated to me that it would be a simple form he had to sign to grant the divorce.(my husband wasnot contesting the divorce) the judge advised me to contact my lawyer who was not there at the time to continue with the procedure.
my lawyer said he would take care of it but then stop returning my calls and fell of the face of the earth.(i didn'T SIGN a retainer!).
it has been several years since i filed my original request for dissolution of marriage and i was wondering if i would have to start all over or would my case still be pending at that court. my husband is still not contesting< but he has moved to west virgina.
is this something i could do quickly and with a parallegal. i have already spent over 5 thousand dollars and dont want or have the money to do it again.
please let me know if there is an easy way to get my divorce final. and if there is a simple way that i could do this myself
1 Answer from Attorneys
You should not have to start over again. Because your situation is a little messed up, however, I don't recommend using a paralegal, because they cannot give you any advice, and you can't trust any advice they give. You should pick up a copy of "How to Do Your Own Divorce In California" and then contact the Family Law facilitator or self help clinic at the L.A. County Superior court. Between the instructions and forms in the book and help from the volunteer attorneys at the court, you should be able to get this wrapped up without TOO much trouble.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
