(This book was previously called How to Solve Divorce Problems in California–the title was changed for the 2016 edition)
This book is out-of-print and is no longer being supported. Please note the caution at the beginning of the book: “Do not use an old edition of this book! Out-of-date information can cause trouble.”
Forms Updates. The companion CD contains forms that can be used with the free Adobe Reader. To check for new and fixed forms updates, click here.
Adobe Reader. The free Adobe Reader, available here, allows you to fill out and print forms. Effective January 1, 2012, all forms are now “enabled,” meaning that you can also save data you enter on the forms when using Adobe Reader version 8 or later. Forms on CDs in earler editions or downloaded before January 1, 2012 were not enabled to allow saving of data entered when using Adobe Reader.
30% off for owners of old editions. If you bought your book directly from us, or if you send us the cover of your old edition, you get 30% off on the new book which includes the latest CD, too! Total price is $31.24 with tax and shipping. To order, call Nolo at (800) 464-5502, M-F, 9-5.
Alerts for the 15th Edition (2017)
February 2018
PLEASE NOTE: Although we did not print a 2018 update of this book, it is still relevant because readers learn to define strategies, protect themselves, negotiate a fair settlement, and handle their case in court. Anyone enduring a California divorce that is not going smoothly needs this book. Whether problems are minor or huge, this book shows readers how to overcome them and move their case forward. This indispensable guide includes instructions on how to plan and prepare a case, work both with and against an attorney, and on how to get the information you need. If a case ends up in court, the book shows readers what to do at trial. The section on how to prepare and behave at trial alone is more than worth the price of the book.
January 1, 2018
Two updated forms:
FL-315, Response to Request for Separate Trial. Download here.
FL-347, Bifurcation of Status of Marriage or Domestic Partnership. Download here.
September 1, 2017
New fee waiver and domestic violence forms, and forms for orders and requests: The Judicial Council released a new fee waiver form, FW-008, a new version of Domestic Violence form DV-800, and new versions of FL-303 (Declaration Regarding Notice and Service of Request for Temporary (Ex Parte) Orders), and FL-306 (Request to Continue Hearing). Download these forms here.
New version of FL-307: The Judicial Council issued a revised version of form FL-307 Order on Request to Continue Hearing. Download this new version of the form here.
New 15th Edition for 2017 — What’s New
Updated book and CD with revised instructions for forms
Numerous legal changes updated to January 1, 2017
Do not use old, obsolete forms!
The primary substantive changes…
Two revised forms as of 1/1/17: FL-342 Child Support Information Order Attachment and also, MC-120 Confidential Reference List of Identifiers. The many forms that were revised as of 7/1/16 were also updated in this new edition.
Electronically Stored Information (ESI): pages 53, 181, 182, 186, and 189 have new information on the production of and demand for ESI
Privacy rules: additional information on privacy rules added on page 59
Paper used in filing: On page 60, new information regarding specifications for paper to be used when not filing electronically
Ex parte hearings: On page 67, new information on the Respondent’s right to a oontinuance of an ex parte hearing
Page 107: New figure 13.3 for form FL-303 with instructions
Page 108: New instructions on how to fill out form FL-306
Page 109 – Missed deadline: New information on what to do if you missed the deadline to serve your Request for Order to Continue Hearing And Extend Temporary Emergency Orders (FL-306)
Page 110: New information on how to get your Request For Order extended
Page 118: New information about how you are entitled to one continuance when responding to a request for an ex parte order
Page 181 & 182: Notice of Taking Deposition — New information on what to do if you require ESI
Page 183: Additional information on how to compel your spouse’s expert to produce documents at a deposition
Page 186: New information regarding Notice To Attorney In Lieu Of Subpoena
Page 189: New information regarding demanding ESI at a deposition, and getting documents from your spouse’s expert witness before the deposition
Page 193: New information regarding deadlines for serving preliminary and final declarations of disclosure
Page 267: Request a Statement of Decision? Added a new paragraph explaining what to do if you want the Judge to issue a document that explains the factual and legal bases for the court’s decision on the main controverted issues addressed at your trial
Alerts for the 14th Edition (2016)
July 1, 2016
One New and Twelve Revised Family Law Forms. FL-300, 300-INFO, 303 (new), 305, 311, 312, 320, 320-INFO, 341, 341B, 341C, 341D, 341E
Effective July 1, 2016. Do not use older forms as they are now incorrect and will not be accepted. To download (3.2 Mb) click here.
Five New and Eleven Revised DV Forms. DV-100, 110, 115, 115-INFO, 116, 120, 120-INFO, 130, 200, 200-INFO, 400, 505-INFO, 805, 815, 900, 901
Effective July 1, 2016. Do not use older forms as they are now incorrect and will not be accepted. To download (4.6 Mb) click here.
New 14th Edition for 2016 — What’s New
Updated book and CD with revised instructions for forms
Numerous legal changes updated to January 1, 2016
Do not use old, obsolete forms!
The primary substantive changes…
Added two expert co-authors. Hamid Naraghi and Bill Woodcock joined Ed Sherman as co-authors. Each of these California attorney brings over 18 years of experience as a family law mediator, divorce coach, litigator, private judge and arbitrator.
Page 26 – Partial agreements: good to turn those into a partial Judgment. How to do it.
Page 30 – Emphasize the danger of omitting, misrepresenting or undervaluing assets on disclosure documents.
Page 43, et.seq. – Section C. Updated and expanded advice on how to get a good attorney.
Page 46 – Deleted statement that most cases can be completed in about nine months as this is no longer true. Replaced with brief discussion of delays and readiness here and on page 47.
Page 61 – Deadline calculators. Most courts have a deadline calculator online that you can use to accurately figure the deadlines for your case.
Pages 65–122 Chapters 10 through 14 — OSCs and Motions. Extensive revision in using forms, and in terminology and procedures. Throughout the book. Motions and OSCs now both use the same form (FL-300) and are both referred to as a Request for Orders (RFO). The difference is in how you fill out the form and what you are requesting the court to do and the deadlines involved.
Page 174 – Deposition Subpoena for Records. Neither party nor their attorneys can act as the deposition officer or designate their own office as the place for production of records (CCP 2020.420).
Page 228 – Bifurcation Discovery Trap. Discussion of how a request for bifurcation can possibly terminate your right to discovery. How to avoid this problem.
Page 245 – The Expert Demand Trap. Once a trial date is set, either side can demand an exchange of expert witness information. If you fail to disclose any such witness and the scope of their expected testimony, the other side can block that witness from testifying. Discussion of deadlines.
New 13th Edition for 2015 — What’s New
Updated book and CD with 11 new or revised forms
Numerous legal changes updated to January 1, 2015
Do not use old, obsolete forms!
To download new FL-341(A) and FL-410, click here.
The primary substantive changes…
Page 112–Added DV-115 Request to Continue Hearing to the list of Domestic Violence forms
Page 115–Respondent: If served with Restraining Order DV-110- or DV-130, read item 9 – Must relinquish any firearms or ammunition in possession of party subject to protective RO. CRC 5.495 – Relinquish Firearms.
Page 156 & 165–Clarified that copy of the Proof of Service that must be mailed with other documents need not have first been signed by server.
Page 180 et seq–Inserted: CCP 2025.290 – Time limit = 7 hours total for all testimony (unless testimony impeded or delayed by other factors than taker of deposition)
Alerts for the 12th Edition (2014)
July 1, 2014
Nine Revised DV Forms. DV-100, 110, 120, 120-INFO, 130, 180, 710, 800, 900-INFO
Effective July 1, 2014. Do not use older forms as they are now incorrect and will not be accepted. To download (2.7 Mb), click here.
New 12th Edition for 2014 — What’s New
Updated book and CD with one revised form
Numerous legal changes updated to January 1, 2014
Do not use old, obsolete forms!
To download new FL-306, click here.
The primary substantive changes…
Page 27–Private Judges. With courts backed up and underfunded, it might be worth a few hundred dollars to hire a private judge to process your paperwork very quickly, and to make decisions (arbitrate) on issues you and your Ex can’t agree on. A private judge is an attorney who has been trained and certified to decide cases and process paperwork. Call Divorce Helpline for more information.
Page 62–How to serve documents. Who to serve and how to do it has been clarified. Note: If a Request For Order (FL-300) seeks to modify an existing order for child support or custody and is served by mail, you must also file FL-334 to verify the other party’s address.
Page 85–FL-300 instruction typo. Instruction to check box 1(a) to show which form you’ve attached should have said 1(d). This has been corrected.
Page 94–How to serve motion or OSC. If you serve a Request for Order (FL-300) seeking to modify an existing order for child support or custody, and you serve it by mail, you must also file FL-334 to verify the other party’s address.
Page 98–Restraining Orders. Among other things listed, a court can restrain a party from cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, or changing insurance coverage for the parties, or their children, if any, for whom support may be ordered.
Page 108–FL-306 Application for Reissuance of OSC. New form, new illustration for how to fill it out.
Page 156–Discovery—Time limit on motion to compel. If an inadequate response or supplemental response was verified, you have only 45 days to file a motion to compel verification of an adequate response.
Page 197–Rule of Court 3.1020 that details exactly what must be in a motion to compel, was renumbered and is now Rule 3.1345.
Alerts for the 11th Edition (2013)
July 1, 2013
One Revised DV Form. DV-200 Domestic Violence, Proof of Personal Service
Effective July 1, 2013. Do not use older forms as they are now incorrect and will not be accepted.
To download, click here.
New 11th Edition for 2013 — What’s New
Updated book and CD with 24 new or revised forms
Significant legal changes!
Do not use old, obsolete forms!
To download 22 Family Law forms (2.5 Mb), click here.
To download 2 Domestic Violence forms (85 Kb), click here.
Substantive changes. Page numbers refer to the print edition.
Chapters 10–16 on Motions and Orders to Show Cause. Extensively revised due to new forms and new Rules of Court, changes in procedures for doing an OSC or motion.
Page 151—Electronically Stored Information. Requests for production of electronically stored info. If you want ESI, read Code of Civil Procedure 1985.8 carefully. Alos read CCP 2019.040, 2031, 2031.210(d). Specify the form in which you want the ESI to be produced; i.e., usable on a typical home computer using readilly available consumer software.