About Legal Separation Document Preparation
A legal separation case can address many of the same subjects as a divorce while the parties remain legally married. Customers commonly request document preparation for property, debts, support, parenting arrangements and other terms they have already decided to request.
The paperwork and filing sequence depend on the state, county, existing orders and whether the other party responds. A local office can prepare the documents selected by the customer and provide clerical filing support when that service is available.
California availability: This page concerns self-help document preparation for California matters. Services, procedures and pricing vary by independently owned office.
Documents and information commonly requested
The exact package depends on the customer’s selected service, instructions and local requirements. Common items may include:
- Petition and summons
- Response documents
- Financial disclosure forms
- Parenting-plan attachments
- Settlement documents
- Proposed judgment forms
How document preparation works
Bring any existing case documents and provide the names, dates, addresses and requested terms needed for the forms. The office prepares the selected paperwork from those instructions, returns it for review and explains its available filing or service support.
You remain responsible for reviewing the completed documents, confirming that your information and directions were entered correctly, signing where required and meeting applicable deadlines. Ask the local office which clerical filing, recording, publication, notary or service options it offers.
Common questions
What does legal separation document preparation include?
Preparation may include opening papers, disclosures, parenting attachments, settlement documents and proposed judgment forms, depending on the customer’s instructions and local requirements.
Is legal separation document preparation available at every California By The People office?
No. Service availability, process, timing and pricing vary among independently owned California offices. Contact the office that would prepare your documents.
Can a By The People office tell me what choices to make?
No. The customer must select the service and provide the decisions and information used to prepare the documents. Offices do not provide legal advice or representation.
Are filing, recording, publication or service fees included?
Third-party charges are separate unless the local office specifically states otherwise in its written quote.