1. Self-Help Divorce Workshop Series Presented by: Michelle C. Hopkins, Esq. Los Angeles Superior Court March 17, 2006

2. The Self-Help Model Court-based self-help three-part dissolution workshop series. Legal advice model developed by The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law. Self-Help model piloted in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2003 by LASC Self-Help Collaboration Project with the Family Law Information Center.

3. The Self-Help Series Workshop 1: Litigant prepares, files and serves initial forms to start divorce case. Workshop 2: 45 days after Workshop 1, litigant prepares Declaration of Disclosure, Property Declarations and Request to Enter Default. Workshop 3: 30-40 after Workshop 2, litigant prepares Judgment Forms.

4. Getting Started: Advertising Only Workshop 1 is advertised to the public. Informational flyers posted and distributed by court clerks, FLIC, legal services agencies, and posted on LASC website. District courts provide flyers with divorce starter packets. Clerks refer litigants to the Workshop 1.

5. Pre-Screening Issues Workshop 1 is offered on a first come, first served basis. Pre-screening: litigants who want to initiate a divorce case in Los Angeles County or prepare a Response to a divorce case filed in Los Angeles County. Workshop 2 is not advertised. After Workshop 1 litigants are provided with a “ticket” to the next class.

6. Workshop Setting Classroom environment. Ideal Size: 8-10 litigants. Ideal Staff: workshop presenter and 2-3 assistants. Los Angeles Model uses JusticeCorps students as trained volunteer assistants. Judicial Council forms enlarged to chart size and presented to the group. All common forms presented first. Keep all litigants on the same form. Allow questions during presentation. Repeat questions to the group.

7. Workshop Materials Litigants provided with a folder containing Divorce Overview, Proof of Service of Summons, forms packet and blank Response. Additional Judicial Council forms and handouts regarding California law distributed during presentation. Ticket to Workshop 2 distributed at the conclusion of Workshop 1.

8. Explaining the “Big Picture”: The Divorce Overview A visual roadmap to the divorce process. Explain litigant’s role and responsibility in the process. Explain options for completing the process if Default or Response. Educate re: TROs and temporary orders. Explain court resources: FLF, Mediation Explain the spectrum of legal services available to self represented litigants.

9. Workshop 1: The Forms Packet Summons, Case Cover, Petition, Property Declarations, Proof of Service, Fee Waiver and UCCJEA. Explain the purpose of each form. Provide additional information and answer questions during presentation of forms. Proactive approach: address the common myths that arise with each form.

10. Petition for Dissolution What is the purpose of the form? Respondent can disagree with you. Tools used during presentation: Provide visual explanations of complex concepts. (Charts, white board, handouts). Buhai’s Community vs. Separate Property handout for characterizing property. An “inventory tool”: Harry Jacob’s Worksheet for FL-160 Property Declaration.

11. Quality Control Attorney present at all times. Questions answered during presentation. Trained volunteer assistants available for litigants during presentation. After group presentation: 1:1 forms review with litigants and JusticeCorps. Final document review by Attorney.

12. Ticket to Workshop 2 Litigants given Ticket to Workshop Two with specific return date and homework. Homework: bring paycheck stubs, specific money values of assets and debts, and complete income worksheets. All litigants encouraged to return to next workshop whether or not filing and service complete.

13. Workshop 2 Same group of litigants return together as a class. Print out case summaries to check on status. All returning litigants participate whether Default or Response filed. Tool for calculating income: Worksheet for average monthly income. Review the divorce overview: type of cases (Default or Response) and options for completing those types of cases.

14. Workshop 3 After Workshop 2 litigants given Ticket to Workshop 3 with specific information needed for Judgment. Printout case summaries and explain options for completion of case. All Judgment forms completed as a group then smaller groups or 1:1 assistance depending on the issues. Tools: Checklist for preparation of Judgment forms with specific referrals if Judgment rejected.

15. Innovative Technology: Creating a Hybrid Workshop AOC Attorney Harry Jacobs has developed a Hot Docs computer program to be used with the live workshops. After a short initial interview with litigant, computer program generates all forms need for workshop with many fields completed. Hybrid concept: integrate Hots Docs program with the live workshop presentation to generate legible, accurate forms and to provide more time for detailed explanations of California substantive law and procedures.