Family Law Guidance for Self-Represented Californians
Divorce, Parentage, Child Custody, Child Support, Civil Restraining Orders-- We can help explain the process, review your paperwork for accuracy, and prepare you to confidently represent yourself. We provide all of the benefits of a licensed attorney, without the cost.
Conveniently open nights and weekends so you do not need to take time off work! Call us for today workshop availability
Our Goal
Services & Expertise we provide
Avoid common family court mistakes
Our flat fee workshop includes a 30-minute presentation explaining the legal process of your case. You will learn what to expect, what forms need to be filed, deadlines to watch out for, and what your next steps will be. We also will go over common mistakes that can lead to your paperwork being rejected and your case being delayed, common misconceptions about what various family law terms mean, and will allow you to speak with an attorney or paralegal to ask any and all questions you might have regarding your case.
Learn what California courts expect.
After you have a clear idea about the process, we will provide you all of the paperwork needed to file in your case. As you fill it out, our attorney and/or paralegals remain available to answer questions and provide helpful tips. Once you have completed everything, you are matched with either an attorney or a paralegal to have your documents reviewed for accuracy, make any corrections as necessary, and to ask any further questions you might have.
Attorney-Led Guidance for Self-Represented Litigants
Representing yourself in California family court doesn’t mean you have to navigate it alone or guess what to do. Our Family Law Self-Help Workshops offer clear, attorney-led instruction to help individuals who are representing themselves understand court forms, procedures, and what to expect before filing or appearing in court. These workshops are aimed at those seeking accurate information, fixed-fee guidance, and reduced mistakes without the need to hire an attorney for full scope representation.
Flat-Fee, Educational Workshops
Workshops are offered at a flat fee, with no retainer or long-term commitment.
Limited individual educational appointments may be available, depending on availability and subject matter.
Divorce Workshop $650-675
Just Google “cost of an average divorce in Los Angeles County” and you will see that the average person spends anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 on a divorce; with simple uncontested divorces costing an average of $5,000 depending on the level of attorney involvement.
At Equal Access Legal Support our goal is to lessen this financial burden while still providing our self-represented litigants the confidence and support to handle their cases. Through our workshops, our clients spend $650-675 to prepare their paperwork under the guidance of a license attorney. An attorney who is with you every step of the way, answering questions and reviewing your documents for accuracy. A simple uncontested divorce, done through us, could cost under $2,000; and that includes the court’s filing fee of $435! A more complicated, contested case could still save thousands using our services. You can come in and complete your paperwork with us and save your money to hire representation to appear with you in court. We can even refer you to an attorney that would be perfectly suited for your needs.
While every divorce is unique, Equal Access Legal Support is here to help. Call us today to see what we can do for you.
Parentage Workshop $675
Wondering how much the average person spends on a parentage case in Los Angeles County? Average hourly rates are generally between $300 and $500, with total representation often ranging from $3,000 to over $20,000 depending on complexity.
At Equal Access Legal Support, we believe quality legal assistance does not need to break the bank. Through our Parentage Workshops, you gain the clarity you need to confidently prepare and file your documents with the help and support of a licensed attorney starting at $675. A simple, uncontested Parentage case utilizing our services could cost you under $2,000; and that includes the courts filing fee of $435! More complicated cases can still benefit from our low cost services. Complete your paperwork here, and save your money to have an attorney represent you in court.
Judgment Clinic $800-875
A judgment in Family Law is the final, legally binding order of the court that resolves issues in your Family Law case such a divorce, legal separation, parentage, child custody, support or property division. It outlines the specific rights and responsibilities of each party and marks the formal conclusion of the court process. Our judgement clinic is all-inclusive; meaning we complete it for you, and once your Judgment is ready, we will reach out to make an appointment for you to come in and speak to someone on our staff. That person will review everything with your for accuracy, explain the legal effects of the documents and answer any questiosn you have.
Domestic Violence Workshop $650
Whether responding to or requesting a Domestic Violence Restrainign Order, we provide a comprehensive overview of the process. You may have questions such as; do i qualify for a DVRO, what will happen if a DVRO is granted against me, or what is a temporary restraining order? Admittidly it is a complicated process, but we are here to simplify things for you. Our DVRO workshops are limited to six (6) participants to ensure we are able to provide individualized support. More complicated cases can still benefit from our low cost services. Complete your paperwork here, and save your money to have an attorney represent you in court. You do not need to break the bank to advocate for yourself.
*We offer additional workshops including child support, modifcaiton of current court orders (Request for Order), Civil Harassment Restraining Orders, Elder Abuse Restraining Orders, and Court Preparation Clinics. Contact us to see how we can help you!
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Who These Workshops Are Designed For?
This service is a great option for you if you:
- Are looking to start or respond to a Family Law Case
- Want to modify a current family law court order
- Are self-represented (pro per) in a Family Law Case
- Need help understanding court forms and filing procedures
- Prefer a flat-fee service over a high cost retainer
- Want to avoid common mistakes that can delay or disrupt your case
- If you do not beleive the other party will respond to your Petition
- Would like to save thousands of dollars in your case
*This service is often used by individuals seeking education and clarity, not courtroom representation.
What These Workshops Provide?
Workshops are generally led by a licensed California Family Law attorney and focus on education a preparation.
With your flat fee, you will receive:
- General legal information related to your family law case
- Explanations of California court procedures and expectations
- Guidance on how to correctly complete required court forms
- Insights into common errors that lead to rejections or delays
- Answers to common questions in a workshop format
- An overview of the options available for your specific case
The aim is to help you understand court requirements, get your paperwork completed accurately the first time, and have all questions answered so you can proceed confidently.
What This Service Does Not Include?
To ensure clarity and compliance with California law:
- No attorney–client relationship is formed
- The attorney does not appear in court for you
- The attorney does not file documents on your behalf
- The attorney does not provide personalized legal strategies
- You remain self-represented (pro per) at all times
*Our services will perform in compliance with the California Rules of Professional Conduct
Common Family Law Matters Covered
Workshop topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Divorce and legal separation petitions and responses
- Paternity (parentage) petitions and responses
- Child custody and visitation modifications (RFO)
- Child support and spousal support
- Financial disclosures
- Judgment and settlement agreements
- Domestic Violence, Civil Harassment, and Elder Abuse paperwork
Availability varies depending on the workshop.
When This Service May Not Be Appropriate?
This service will not be suitable if you:
- Want an attorney to appear in court for you
- Need complex litigation or trial strategy
- Require full legal representation
If you need legal representation, we recommend consulting a family law attorney who offers full-scope services.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you provide legal advice?
- No. The information provided isto ensure the self-represented litigant knows all their options so they can move forward confidently. At all times, decisions on how to proceed are at the litigants sole discretion. - Will the attorney fill out my forms?
- No. However, we do offer a couple options for your conveinence. The least expensive option is our workshop, where you fill out your forms with the guidance and support of the attorney and paralegals. The other option is to have one of our paralegals prepare the documents on your behalf for you to file. There is an additional cost for this service. - Will the attorney speak to the judge or other party?
- No. The attorney does not communicate with the court or opposing parties on your behalf. - Can I ask questions about my situation?
- Yes. Questions are encouraged. They are answered in an educational, workshop format to provide the litigant with options on how best to move forward. Again, all decisions regarding your specific case are made at your sole discretion. - Do I stay self-represented?
- Yes. Participants remain pro per at all times. However, we are able to refer you to outside counsel if circumstances in your case change and you feel you require representation.
Contact Us
Do you have a question or family law issue that you would like to talk about, or are you curious to hear more about how we can help you? Get in touch today! We look forward to hearing from you.
Feel free to email us, or call us. We are conveiently located in the San Fernando Valley. You can find us using our nifty map (just scroll down a bit).