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

Saturday, October 19, 2019  10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

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: $20 for the class
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot

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.

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.

Finding Forms

Saturday, August 8, 2015
10:00 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.

Learn about form resources available in the Library — from the Library’s practice guides and form books to the many online subscription databases. The course will not cover which forms to use or how to fill them out.

Class covers:

  • Finding forms on court and agency websites
  • Accessing California Judicial Council court forms
  • Finding form books in the Library
  • Locating form books in Library databases
  • Creating pleadings using Library’s pleading paper templates

Registration fees: $20
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot.

No 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.

Legal Research on the Internet

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Saturday, December 15, 2018

10:00 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.

Learn how to evaluate and use free sources of legal information online. This class also introduces select low cost websites for researching California and federal law.

Class covers:

  • How to search for bills, codes, regulations, and case law
  • Sources for Los Angeles City and County law and government
  • General legal research sites, including Google Scholar and FindLaw for Legal Professionals
  • Legal research tips
  • Hands-on exercises

Registration fees: $20 for the class
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot

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.

Registration fees: $20 for the class
Non-refundable, payment reserves spot

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Monday - Friday:
8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday:
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

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