Family law document help in San Jose — without attorney prices
Divorce, separation, support, custody, property, and name changes: Rosa Gafare, a registered and bonded Legal Document Assistant (LDA #269), prepares your family law paperwork correctly and at your direction, in English or Spanish.
Can I handle family law paperwork without a lawyer in California?
Yes. California lets people file their own divorce, legal separation, custody, and support cases without a lawyer. A registered and bonded Legal Document Assistant can prepare the court forms at your direction for a flat or quoted fee. Expert Multi-Services (LDA #269, San Jose) prepares family law documents in English and Spanish, and tells you when a situation needs an attorney.
What Rosa does
- Prepares every family law form your case needs
- Types your agreements into judgments and orders
- Explains filing and service at the Santa Clara County court
- Gives you a written price before work begins
What only an attorney does
- Gives legal advice or strategy
- Negotiates for you
- Represents you at hearings or trial
Family law services
Divorce
Every divorce form, start to finish. From $1,500.
02Uncontested Divorce
You both agree. $1,500 without children.
03Joint Petition
New for 2026: file together on FL-700.
04Default Divorce
Your spouse won’t sign or respond.
05Spousal Support
Temporary and long-term support forms.
06Change or End Support
Job loss, remarriage, or new agreement.
07Property & Debts
The house, cars, savings, and credit cards.
08Legal Separation
Court orders while staying married.
09Child Custody
Parenting plans and visitation.
10Child Support
Set, agree on, or change support.
11Name Change After Divorce
Restore your former name (FL-395).
+All Services & Prices
Immigration, passport, and more.
Find your starting point
| Your situation | Start with |
|---|---|
| We both agree to divorce | Uncontested divorce or joint petition |
| My spouse won’t sign | Default divorce |
| Not ready to divorce | Legal separation |
| I need money to live on | Spousal support |
| Our children need a schedule | Custody and child support |
| Divorce is done, I want my name back | Name change after divorce |
Still not sure where to start?Rosa will tell you which forms fit — walk-ins welcome.
Official guides: California Courts Self-Help · Santa Clara County Superior Court — Family self-help
One bilingual office for your whole case
Divorce often brings custody, support, property, and name questions together. Rosa prepares all of those forms in one place, in English or Spanish, so nothing falls through the cracks and you are not paying hourly attorney rates for paperwork.
Family law pricing
- Court filing fees are additional where applicable; fee waivers may be available.
- Prices marked “+” may vary by case complexity. Consultation-priced services are quoted before any work begins.
- We are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. We prepare documents at your direction.
“I can’t say enough good things about Rosa and the work she did on my divorce. She was professional, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable — she explained every step clearly and made sure I felt supported. Highly recommend.”Amy SmithDivorce client
Family law questions, answered
What family law services does Expert Multi-Services offer?
Divorce (uncontested, contested, default, and joint petition), legal separation, spousal support and changes to support, property and debt division, child custody, child support, and restoring a former name after divorce.
Do I need a lawyer for family law paperwork in California?
No. California does not require a lawyer to file family law cases. A registered Legal Document Assistant can prepare the forms at your direction. If your case is disputed or complex, consulting an attorney is a good idea.
What is the difference between a Legal Document Assistant and a lawyer?
A Legal Document Assistant is registered and bonded with the county and prepares documents at your direction. A lawyer can give legal advice, negotiate for you, and represent you in court.
How much does a divorce cost in San Jose?
At Expert Multi-Services, uncontested divorce preparation is $1,500 without children, $2,300 with children and assets, and contested divorce preparation starts at $3,500. Court fees are separate.
What is the difference between divorce and legal separation?
After a divorce you are no longer married. After a legal separation you stay married but have court orders on property, support, and custody. Legal separation has no residency requirement or six-month wait.
Can we file for divorce together?
Yes. Since January 1, 2026, spouses who agree can file a Joint Petition (Form FL-700) together, so neither spouse has to serve the other.
What if my spouse won’t sign the divorce papers?
Your spouse does not have to sign. After your spouse is served and does not respond within 30 days, you can request a default and finish the divorce.
How long does a divorce take in California?
California has a six-month minimum waiting period before a marriage can end. Complete, accurate paperwork helps avoid delays beyond that.
What are the residency requirements to divorce in Santa Clara County?
One spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Santa Clara County for three months before filing for divorce.
Can you help with custody and child support?
Yes. Rosa prepares custody, visitation, and child support forms, including agreed parenting plans and requests to change orders. Pricing is explained at a consultation.
Can you help with spousal support?
Yes. Rosa prepares forms to request, agree on, change, or end spousal support. She does not recommend amounts; you and your spouse, or the judge, decide.
What happens to our house in a divorce?
Your agreement or the judge decides who keeps the house. After judgment, the title changes only when a deed is recorded, which Expert Multi-Services refers to TruPoint Legal, a separate registered LDA business.
We married in Mexico. Can we divorce in San Jose?
Yes. Where you married does not decide where you divorce. If you meet California’s residency requirement, you can file in Santa Clara County.
Do you help in Spanish?
Yes. Rosa is a native Spanish speaker and explains every family law form in Spanish. Se habla español.
Are you attorneys?
No. Expert Multi-Services is a registered and bonded Legal Document Assistant (LDA #269), not a law firm. We prepare documents at your direction but cannot give legal advice or represent you.
Can I walk in today?
Yes. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM, at 434 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose. You can also book online or call (408) 766-3529.
If you are in danger, act now
If there is domestic violence, threats, or a risk that a child will be taken, contact an attorney or the Santa Clara County Superior Court Self-Help Center right away. Emergency and restraining orders follow a different, faster process. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
Start your family law paperwork with Rosa
Walk-ins welcome Monday–Friday, 10 AM–6 PM, at 434 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose. Se habla español.
Expert Multi-Services Inc. is a registered and bonded Legal Document Assistant (LDA #269, Santa Clara County). We are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. We prepare documents at your direction.