About Marital Settlement Agreement Preparation
A marital settlement agreement can address property, debts, support, parenting and other divorce terms. Both parties should understand and agree to the terms before asking a document preparer to place them into written form.
The document preparer records the parties’ instructions and does not negotiate, mediate, value property or recommend settlement terms. Parties who need advice about rights, taxes or enforceability should consult qualified professionals.
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:
- Party and marriage information
- Property and debt terms
- Spousal-support terms
- Custody and parenting terms
- Child-support terms
- Signature and acknowledgment pages
How document preparation works
Provide a complete written outline of every agreed term, including specific account, property and payment details. The office prepares the agreement from those instructions and returns it for both parties to review before signing.
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 marital settlement agreement preparation include?
Preparation includes organizing and typing the terms the parties have already supplied. It does not include negotiating or recommending the agreement’s terms.
Is marital settlement agreement 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.