Back to Home Accessibility | Use / Privacy

Search  our site OR

Self-Help Resources

The following instructional guidelines are given to aid those parties seeking to represent themselves.  For more focused assistance, please check the resources of the Court's Self-Help Center.  

To view the instructional guidelines you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader    

Before printing the forms associated with each instructional packet, be sure not to select "shrink to fit" as a printing option.  If you do select this option, the font size will be reduced when printed and the form will not be accepted by the court.

How to use the Instructional Packets  
How to Start a Dissolution, Legal Separation, or Nullity Case    
How to Start a Dissolution, Legal Separation, or Nullity Case (Domestic Partnership) 
Starting a Uniform Parentage Act Case   
Completing the Fee Waiver Application    
Completing the Order to Show Cause Packet   
Instructions for Completing the Financial Disclosure Packet    
How to Complete the Declaration of Disclosure   
Instructions for Completing the Memorandum that Family Case is At Issue  
How to Obtain a Judgment of Dissolution, Legal Separation or Nullity by Default  
How to Prepare A Finding and Order After Hearing  
Completing the Income and Expense Declaration  
How to Obtain a Uniform Parentage Act Judgment by Default  
Completing a Petition for Joinder  
How to Serve and File a Response in a Dissolution, Legal Separation, Parentage or Nullity Petition  
Obtaining a Judgment of Dissolution, Nullity or Legal Separation When You Do Not Agree 
How to Request a Default and Schedule a Default Hearing 
  

     
 

How to use the instructional packets

To begin using the instructional packets, you should have all necessary forms available.  The instructions take you through a step-by-step process that will assist you in filling out your forms.  In addition, each set of instructions provides information on the purpose of each form and when it is appropriate to use them. 

How to Start a Dissolution, Legal Separation, or Nullity Case

Forms used in these instructions include:

To open the instructions, please click on the link below:

How to Start a Dissolution, Legal Separation, or Nullity Case 

  How to Start a Dissolution, Legal Separation or Nullity Case (Domestic Partnership) 

Forms used in these instructions include: 

To the open instructions, please click on the link below:

How to start a Dissolution, Legal Separation or Nullity Case (Domestic Partnership)

Starting a Uniform Parentage Act Case

Forms used in these instructions include:

To open the instructions, please click on the link below:

Starting a Uniform Parentage Act Case

Completing the Fee Waiver Application

Forms used in these instructions include:

To open the instructions, please click on the link below:

Completing the Fee Waiver Application

Completing the Order to Show Cause Packet

Forms used in these instructions include:

The following forms are also needed.  These will be provided blank to the other party:

To open the instructions, please click on the link below:

Completing the Order to Show Cause Packet

Instructions for Completing the Financial Disclosure Packet

Forms used in these instructions include:

To open the instructions, please click on the link below:

Instructions for Completing the Financial Disclosure Packet

How to Complete the Declarations of Disclosure

Forms used in these instructions include:

To open the instructions, please click on the link below:

How to Complete the Declarations of Disclosure

Instructions for Completing the Memorandum that Family Case is At Issue

Forms used in these instructions include:

Memorandum that Family Law Case is At Issue, local form

To open the instructions, please click on the link below:

Instructions for Completing the Memorandum that Family Case is At Issue

How to Obtain a Judgment of Dissolution, Legal Separation or Annulment by Default

Forms used in these instructions include:

If you plan to have a hearing, you will first need the following documents:

You will then need to complete and take the following forms with you to your hearing:

If you plan to proceed without a hearing, you will need to complete all of the above documents, as well as one additional document:

To the open instructions, please click on the link below:

How to Obtain a Judgment of Dissolution, Legal Separation, or Annulment by Default

How to Prepare A Findings and Order After Hearing

Forms used in these instructions include:

You will only need those forms relating to the orders made by the Judge at your hearing.  If you are uncertain whether you need a particular form, read instructions for that form.  Attach only those forms relating to orders from your Minute Order.  All forms will be covered in these instructions, so skip the ones that do not apply.

 To the open instructions, please click on the link below:

How to Prepare A Findings and Order After Hearing  

  Completing the Income and Expense Declaration

The Income and Expense Declaration, form FL-150, consists of the following parts:

  • Income and Expense Declaration
  • Income Information
  • Expense Information
  • Child Support Information (used only if child support is involved) 

 To the open instructions, please click on the link below:

Completing the Income and Expense Declaration  

  How to Obtain a Uniform Parentage Act Judgment by Default  

Forms used in these instructions include:

You will then need to complete and take the following forms with you to your hearing:

If you plan to proceed without a hearing, you will need to complete all of the above documents, as well as two additional document:

To the open instructions, please click on the link below:

How to Obtain a Uniform Parentage Act Judgment by Default   

  Completing a Petition for Joinder  

Forms used in these instructions include:

Other forms needed (do not complete these forms, they will be provided blank to the other party):

To the open instructions, please click on the link below:

Completing a Petition for Joinder

   How to Serve and File a Response in a Dissolution, Legal Separation, Parentage or Nullity Petition 

Forms used in these instructions:

To the open instructions, please click on the link below:

How to Serve and File a Response in a Dissolution, Legal Separation, Parentage or Nullity Petition 

  Obtaining a Judgment of Dissolution, Nullity or Legal Separation When You Do Not Agree 

Forms used in these instructions:

To the open instructions, please click on the link below:

Obtaining A Judgment of Dissolution, Nullity or Legal Separation When You Do Not Agree 

  How to Request a Default and Schedule a Default Hearing 

Forms used in these instructions:

To the open instructions, please click on the link below:

How to Request a Default and Schedule a Default Hearing