Don't settle for just any online QDRO preparation service. Did you know that most online QDRO services only prepare the forms? In other words, they do not provide the additional services you will require to actually complete the QDRO process. Remember, the actual division of the retirement account is only complete once a QDRO has been prepared, pre-approved by the Plan Administrator, signed by the parties, signed by the Judge, filed in the court case and a certified copy provided to the Plan.

Not every divorce involves a trial, and in many cases, the divorcing spouses do not even need to hire lawyers. In an uncontested divorce, there is no trial. The couple can agree to all of the issues and sign a Marital Settlement Agreement that lays out what they agree on and who will get what in the divorce. The judge simply approves the agreement and declares the couple legally divorced. Sometimes, the judge will issue a default judgment without a hearing. In other cases, though, the court may set a default hearing in divorce. If the court does set a hearing, don't be concerned. Often these hearings are simply a formality to make sure the default judgment is fair.

When parents are unable to care for their children, the court may appoint a guardian for those minors. Temporary and permanent guardianship represent two options. Requesting the right type of guardianship plays a significant role in the success of a case. In some situations, however, you may not need to get a court-appointed guardianship. California offers informal guardianship solutions for short-term guardianship needs. Here's what you need to know about temporary and permanent guardianship in California.

Sometimes after you file divorce, you discover you need to change or correct your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Usually, you must amend a divorce petition because there was a mistake in the original filing. Sometimes a person amends the petition to change the case from divorce to legal separation or vice versa. This is not unusual, but it is important you handle the process correctly. Fortunately, you usually don't need a lawyer to amend a divorce petition. A People's Choice can help you throughout your divorce process, even if you need to make changes.

Most couples think their most valuable community property asset is their house. Surprisingly, however, the most valuable asset is often their retirement plan. Just as with other community assets, a divorcing couple must settle retirement division. In general, the law considers retirement benefits accrued during the marriage until the time of separation as community property. This article will explain the steps to divide retirement in divorce.

California family courts will change a custody and visitation order if it is in the best interests of a minor child. The parent requesting the change must demonstrate the change is "necessary and proper". Here is what you need to know.

Are you waiting to complete your California divorce case? Is your divorce case taking longer than expected to get a divorce Judgment? At a minimum, divorce in California takes at least six months to complete. It is not uncommon, however, for a divorce case to take months or even years to complete. When a divorce is taking too long, a couple can file for divorce bifurcation in order to become "single" before their divorce is finished.

Probably the simplest type of divorce occurs when both parties want to end the marriage and are cooperating. You can file divorce when both parties agree by completing an "uncontested divorce" process. Because uncontested divorce is faster, easier, and less expensive, most couples prefer this process. However, the couple still must file the right papers to protect themselves and get the divorce finalized.

In California, financial disclosures in divorce are required to complete the divorce process. For example, the Petitioner must file a Preliminary Financial Disclosure within 60 days of filing for divorce. This is one of two financial disclosures in divorce that are usually necessary.