Research Guides

CALIFORNIA DIVORCE

This pathfinder is meant to assist individuals and attorneys in handling divorce actions in California.

Law Library Catalog
To locate books and other materials held at the LA Law Library on a particular topic, you will need to do a subject or keyword search in the LA Law Library Online Catalog.

Sample keyword / subject searches include:

Divorce -- Law and legislation –California
Separation (Law) –California
Marriage Law --California.
Support (Domestic relations) --California.
Custody of children --California.

Primary Law
Primary law for divorce related actions would be the California Codes and Case Law. Codes and Cases can be found online as well as in print. All of this material can be found in the California section of the Library.

California Codes

In print: West’s Annotated California Code and/or Deering’s California Code
Online: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html

California Case Law

In print: California Appellate Reports, California Reports, and California Reporter
Online: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/

Secondary Sources

How to do your own divorce in California	KB137 .A12 S55 Res
Practice under the California Family Code : case and legislation highlights	KB137 .A12 C15c c.2 Calif
California marital settlement and other family law agreements	KB137 .A18 C15c Calif
California Family Law: Practice and Procedure	KB135 .C154 1994 Calif
Family Law	KB137 .H71 c.2 Calif

Electronic Databases
Access to these databases is available in the Library’s Reading Room only.

Forms Workflow	Database containing state forms. Includes hard-to-find local forms such as the Family Law Case Cover Sheet.
LexisNexis	Gain access to electronic versions of California Family Law and Complex Issues in California Family Law.
Westlaw	Gain access to electronic versions of Rutter’s Family Law and California Practice Guide: Family Law Litigation.
CEB OnLaw	Gain access to electronic versions of California Domestic Partnerships and California Child Custody Litigation and Practice.
Xspouse	California Judicial Council approved program for calculating child and spousal support.

Internet Resources

California Judicial Council Forms
California Judicial Council Self Help Center
California Case Law
LA Superior Court, Family Law Information Center
The California State Bar’s “Consumer Education Pamphlet on Divorce and Custody”