Divorce and Separation: Where You Begin

Class recorded March 17, 2020.

For updated information on e-filing and filing court documents in-person during COVID-19, please click here. If your case is being heard in California state superior court, please be sure to visit your court’s website for the most recent updates. L.A. Superior Court’s website is here.

Many people can't afford a lawyer to handle their legal issues, which can make dealing with separation and divorce especially difficult. In this class, learn the basics of how divorce and separation work under California family law, including the court process, dividing assets and debts, mediation and settlement options, and where to go for further information and assistance. Learning important legal fundamentals about family law can make your legal journey easier and more successful.

Class covers:

  • The court process: steps in a divorce case, and what to expect
  • Legal consequences of separation before (or without) divorce
  • Dividing money, property, and debts
  • Litigation, mediation and collaboration – the risks and benefits of each process
  • Resources for further information and where to seek help

Developed with the support of, and presented by Kathleen O'Connor, Law Offices of Kathleen M. O'Connor.

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below. A staff member will email you the course materials (usually within one business day)

Video Recordings: We recognize that not everyone can attend in person classes, so even if you can't make it in, please watch any of these recordings and remember that we are still here to help! Call us at (213) 785-2513, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or chat with us online to get help finding information and resources on any legal (or not-quite-legal) question. Access to the video recordings is free.

Dated Material: Please note that the law changes. The original recording date for each class is provided on the display page. To be certain that you receive up-to-date information, please attend the in-person class, or contact us for help researching or updating your specific legal issue.

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

 

Introduction to Thomson Reuters Westlaw

For the time being, due to public health concerns, this class has been cancelled.

Saturday, April 18, 2020:  10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - CANCELLED

Receive hands-on instruction on how to use a popular all-in-one source for legal research. The Westlaw (formerly known as WestlawNext) legal research database that has been described as "ground breaking" and "Google for lawyers."

Class covers:

  • Formulating search queries
  • Reviewing and filtering search results
  • Finding cases and code sections
  • Hands-on exercises

Registration fees: $10 for the class
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot
Parking options available during registration (Tuesday, January 7th class ONLY)

No legal advice:
LA Law Library provides access to legal resources and assistance with legal research. LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

Saturday, April 18, 2020:  10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

IN PERSON: Free Help with Clearing Criminal Records

Friday, September 16, 2022: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Free legal assistance filing a petition to clear a criminal record.

To Register: Call (800) 399-4529 to be pre-screened.

Eligible candidates will be seen by appointment ONLY. Candidates must not be on probation or owe fees, fines or restitution. Candidates must also have a copy of his/her criminal transcript from the court or a criminal history report (a ‘RAP’ sheet) from

the California Department of Justice. You may request a criminal history report by doing a live scan at locations found at: https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations

Check-in begins: 9:30 a.m.

Notice: Space is limited. Attendees admitted with an appointment ONLY.

Presented by: Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)

 

Free Help with Clearing Criminal Records

Services provided by Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) are being provided by phone and online this month and until further notice due to public health concerns.

To Register: Interested individuals should call (800) 399-4529 to be pre-screened for the workshop. If eligible, details will be provided about how to connect to the clinic via teleconference.

Eligible candidates will be seen by appointment ONLY.

Candidates must not be on probation or owe fees, fines or restitution. Candidates must also have a copy of his/her criminal transcript from the court or a criminal history report (a 'RAP' sheet) from the California Department of Justice. You may request a criminal history report by doing a live scan at locations found at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations

Tuesday, September 14, 2021: 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 26, 2021: 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 9, 2021: 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 14, 2021: 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The Law Library is pleased to offer our patrons the opportunity to obtain assistance from third party legal service providers at this and other events within the Library. However, the Library does not control and is not responsible for the content or scope of any assistance given by those providers.

 

PACER: How to Access Federal Court Case Documents

Tuesday, March 24, 2020:  1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020:  6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.   CANCELLED
Tuesday, September 22, 2020:  6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 24, 2020:  6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

PACER is the federal court database used for accessing and searching federal court cases by docket number, party name, or topic. After decades of the same interface, PACER has updated the PACER case locator. Its new look and features may help you conduct better searches, narrow and sort search results, and save searches.

If you want to know the status of your federal court case or find out if others have filed or are part of another federal court case, this free, hands-on class may be just what you need. While e-filing will not be taught, the class will cover:

  • Registering for PACER
  • Understanding PACER's search options
  • How to enter and modify a search
  • How to calculate the cost of using PACER
  • How to use the training database
  • Other free federal court docket databases

Note: Space is limited due to limited number of classroom PCs

Registration fee: FREE

Classes fill up fast, register today to reserve your seat! All registrants must check-in 10 minutes prior to class time to ensure your seat is not reassigned to waiting-list and walk-in attendees when classes are full.

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

 

 

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