Divorce Question- Calif.

[khwaidee1 196]

My wife has a friend that has her 2 yr GC, I'm not sure on the date for ROC. Her USC husband has already served jail time twice for physical abuse and she has a restraining order against him. His verbal abuse has recently escalated especially after she was talked out of going to Tijuana for Labor Day (he has family in Mexico). So, she needs to divorce the USC. She has a 4 year old son with the USC. She has a job but doesn't make much and rents a room in home for her and her son. Given their history, I don't expect it to go smoothly and I don't believe you can get an uncontested dissolution in California if minor children are involved.

So, my question is; does anybody know of any organizations which may be able to help her out? She got a quote from an attorney for $2,500 which she does not have. I know there are legal document preparers who don't charge much but not sure on how much help they can give once the papers are filed. My wife's friend is bright, speaks English very well and has a university degree from her country.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[stevie b 141]

My wife has a friend that has her 2 yr GC, I'm not sure on the date for ROC. Her USC husband has already served jail time twice for physical abuse and she has a restraining order against him. His verbal abuse has recently escalated especially after she was talked out of going to Tijuana for Labor Day (he has family in Mexico). So, she needs to divorce the USC. She has a 4 year old son with the USC. She has a job but doesn't make much and rents a room in home for her and her son. Given their history, I don't expect it to go smoothly and I don't believe you can get an uncontested dissolution in California if minor children are involved.

So, my question is; does anybody know of any organizations which may be able to help her out? She got a quote from an attorney for $2,500 which she does not have. I know there are legal document preparers who don't charge much but not sure on how much help they can give once the papers are filed. My wife's friend is bright, speaks English very well and has a university degree from her country.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I have seen several folks getting help through religious organizations that have immigration attorney allegiances

[khwaidee1 196]

I'll look into that for her. Vinaka vaka levu.

[stevie b 141]

Vinaka vaka levu.

haven't seen that for a LONG time .. made my day thanks

[khwaidee1 196]

Sega na leqa!

Edited September 4, 2013 by khwaidee1

[stevie b 141]

Sega na leqa!

hahaha looks like I will have to take my wife down to HB for a true Fijian discussion

[Villanelle 4,122]

CA is a gigantic state. You can try this one- http://www.caforjustice.org/about/organizations

Although I would reccomend using http://lawhelpca.org/ (main site)

http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-divorce.htm (general guide on divorce) theres a link on the right to a map to search for a center based on location or go to

http://lawhelpca.org/find-legal-help?topic=families-and-kids&subtopic=divorce (search by entering zip code and legal issue)

Which ever link you use to search, a center will come up explaining like for example in LA theres the

Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law http://www.hbcfl.org

Who We Are

The Harriet Buhai Center protects victims of domestic violence and improves the well-being of children living in poverty. With the help of volunteers, the Center provides free family law assistance and legal education to the poor. We strive to empower people in need and assure them meaningful access to the courts. We aspire to create a community where poverty is not a barrier to those who seek to resolve critical family law matters.

They provide the phone number and hours and address and state income requirements as:

We assist low-income women and men who can show us that they have limited funds, with proof of their monthly wages or other sources of income and any property. (you must be at 125% poverty level) Prospective clients must have limited funds, with proof of their monthly wages or other sources of income and any property, and live in Los Angeles County, and have a family law or domestic violence case in Los Angeles County. Prospective clients must be able to come to our office for assistance.

All the information is on that website, you dont need to go off that site to multiple sites to find info on the agencies. So its a very useful site to search with where as the first link will have you bouncing all over the net.

[khwaidee1 196]

CA is a gigantic state. You can try this one- http://www.caforjustice.org/about/organizations

Although I would reccomend using http://lawhelpca.org/ (main site)

http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-divorce.htm (general guide on divorce) theres a link on the right to a map to search for a center based on location or go to

http://lawhelpca.org/find-legal-help?topic=families-and-kids&subtopic=divorce (search by entering zip code and legal issue)

Which ever link you use to search, a center will come up explaining like for example in LA theres the

Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law http://www.hbcfl.org

Who We Are

The Harriet Buhai Center protects victims of domestic violence and improves the well-being of children living in poverty. With the help of volunteers, the Center provides free family law assistance and legal education to the poor. We strive to empower people in need and assure them meaningful access to the courts. We aspire to create a community where poverty is not a barrier to those who seek to resolve critical family law matters.

They provide the phone number and hours and address and state income requirements as:

We assist low-income women and men who can show us that they have limited funds, with proof of their monthly wages or other sources of income and any property. (you must be at 125% poverty level) Prospective clients must have limited funds, with proof of their monthly wages or other sources of income and any property, and live in Los Angeles County, and have a family law or domestic violence case in Los Angeles County. Prospective clients must be able to come to our office for assistance.

All the information is on that website, you dont need to go off that site to multiple sites to find info on the agencies. So its a very useful site to search with where as the first link will have you bouncing all over the net.

Thank you very much. Good point. My wife's friend is Orange County but I will look at the links you provided.

[Karee 4,191]

My wife has a friend that has her 2 yr GC, I'm not sure on the date for ROC. Her USC husband has already served jail time twice for physical abuse and she has a restraining order against him. His verbal abuse has recently escalated especially after she was talked out of going to Tijuana for Labor Day (he has family in Mexico). So, she needs to divorce the USC. She has a 4 year old son with the USC. She has a job but doesn't make much and rents a room in home for her and her son. Given their history, I don't expect it to go smoothly and I don't believe you can get an uncontested dissolution in California if minor children are involved.

So, my question is; does anybody know of any organizations which may be able to help her out? She got a quote from an attorney for $2,500 which she does not have. I know there are legal document preparers who don't charge much but not sure on how much help they can give once the papers are filed. My wife's friend is bright, speaks English very well and has a university degree from her country.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I hear Catholic Charities mentioned here alot in situations like this. She might try them as well.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Try the Legal Aid Society in Orange County. They provide workshops and free legal assistance if she is qualified. She'll need to get pre-screened for qualification by calling (800) 834-5001 or (714) 571-5200. If she is eligible, there are clinics in Santa Ana, Norwalk and Anaheim. More info here: http://www.legal-aid.com/Home/Clinics#5

And yes, if children are involved the parties cannot do a summary dissolution.