Affordable Legal Document Preparation
File for Divorce or Parentage Online with Professional Guidance
Services are streamlined into manageable sections allowing you to move at your own pace and budget.
Document Preparation and Case Management
Uncontested Divorce Package
Total Cost: $6,500 (includes filing fee and service costs)
This package is designed for couples who have reached an agreement but want the office to manage the process from start to finish. Our office prepares all required documents, coordinates service, and submits the final judgment to the court.
Includes: - Legal Strategy Roadmap meeting with licensed attorney
- Preparation of Petition, PDDs, and Judgment - Attorney review of all documents - Service of process coordination - One additional hour attorney meeting prior to final judgment to review the agreement
Explicitly excludes: - Court appearances - Direct negotiation with opposing party/counsel - Representation in contested matters
- Emergency motions or hearings - Ongoing advocacy
Joint Petition Divorce Package
Total Cost: $4,950 (includes filing fee)
This package is designed for spouses who have reached an agreement on all issues and want attorney-guided preparation of the divorce paperwork. A joint petition divorce is used when both spouses agree on all major issues and file the case together. Because both parties are cooperating, the process is often simpler and does not require service of papers.
Includes: - Initial consultation and case review - Preparation of Petition, Response, and Preliminary Financial Disclosures
- Preparation of Written Marital Settlement Agreement/Attachment to Judgment - Preparation of judgment form packet and required disclosures - Attorney review of all documents
Best for: Cooperative couples who have already reached agreement on property, custody, and support.
Joint Petition + Attorney-Guided Mediation
Total Cost: $6,950 (includes filing fee)
For couples who are mostly in agreement but want structured legal guidance to finalize terms.
Includes: - All Joint Petition Divorce Package services - One 3-hour mediation session to resolve remaining issues - Attorney preparation time before mediation and written summary after mediation
- Preparation of final written agreement and judgment packet
Best for: Couples needing limited help finalizing custody, support, or property terms.
Mediation Divorce Package
Total Cost: $6,950 (includes filing fee)
For couples who want to resolve all issues through mediation without traditional litigation.
Includes: - Case evaluation and preparation - Two full days of mediation - Attorney preparation time before mediation and summary after mediation sessions - Drafting of settlement agreement - Preparation of all court filing documents
- Judgment preparation and filing instructions
Best for: Couples seeking a structured path to full restoration without contested litigation.
Pay-As-You-Go Flat Fee Services
Legal Roadmap Meeting
Total Cost: $500
This one-hour meeting allows the attorney to: - Review your situation
- Explain the divorce or custody process - Identify what documents are needed - Provide a written Roadmap outlining the recommended next steps
This meeting is included in Phase 1 but may also be scheduled separately.
If Phase 1 has not been completed through our services, a Legal Roadmap Meeting must be scheduled before Phase 2 or Phase 3 can begin.
Phase 1 - Petition/Response Packet
Total Cost: $1,500 (excludes filing fee)
Phase 1 begins the case by preparing the initial court paperwork that opens a divorce or parentage matter.
Includes: - One 1-hour Legal Roadmap meeting with attorney
- Written Legal Roadmap plan - Preparation of the Petition or Response Packet by certified paralegal - Attorney review of documents - Filing coordination with the court - Three attempts at personal service or service by mail or notice of acknowledgment
Phase 2 - Financial Disclosures Packet
Total Cost: $1,500
California law requires both parties to exchange financial disclosure forms listing their income, assets, debts, and expenses.
Includes: - Preparation of financial disclosure forms by certified paralegal - Assembling of supporting documentation - Attorney review of documents - Service of packet to opposing party or counsel
Phase 3 - Stipulated Judgment Packet
Total Cost: $1,500
The stipulated judgment is the final written agreement that resolves the case and is submitted to the court for approval.
Includes: - Preparation of judgment forms and marital settlement agreement - Attorney review of documents - Coordination of judgment filing
Limited Scope Services
Request for Order Package
Total Cost: $4,500-$6,000 depending on complexity
A Request for Order (RFO) asks the court to make orders on issues such as custody, support, or other temporary matters. This service provides limited legal representation for a specific motion hearing.
Includes: - Strategy meeting with attorney - Drafting of Request for Order and supporting declarations - Preparation of exhibits
- Coordination of filing - Preparation before the hearing
- Representation at up to two hearings - Preparation of order after hearing
Flat fee services are limited to the specific scope described above. Full attorney representation services are available under separate agreements.
Best for: Situations where limited court involvement or targeted advocacy is necessary.
Mediation Services
Mediation Rates
Half-Day Mediation (3 hours): $2,500
Full-Day Mediation (6 hours): $4,000
Hourly Mediation: $450 per hour
All half- and full-day sessions include preparation time and a written summary.
Mediation allows two parties to work with a neutral attorney to reach agreements about custody, support, property division, or other family law issues. The mediator does not represent either party and instead helps both parties to negotiate and reach a mutually acceptable resolution. This allows parties to create solutions specific to their family's needs rather than leaving those decisions to a judge.
ALL FORMS ARE REVIEWED BY LICENSED ATTORNEY.
*The Court charges $435.00 to file or respond to a divorce or parentage action. There are fee waivers available for those who may qualify.
**Attorney consultation is required for all Petitions, Responses, and Request for Orders to ensure the consumer is properly advised on how best to proceed given their personal circumstances.
***There is an additional $100.00 fee for rush filings or service; $200.00 rush fee for both filing and service.
Ways We Can Help
Welcome to your cost-effective path to divorce or custody resolution in California.
At JV Legal Doc Prep, we provide multiple options so clients can choose the level of support that best meets their unique needs and financial situation. Our attorney-guided service offers a streamlined and affordable way to handle divorce or establish custody and parenting agreements, without sacrificing professional legal guidance.
Document Preparation Packages and Pay-As-You-Go Flat Fee Services
Our document preparation services provide assistance preparing and filing divorce, custody, and parentage paperwork. All documents are prepared by a certified paralegal and reviewed by a licensed attorney. All document preparation matters begin with a Legal Roadmap Meeting, which allows the attorney to review the facts of the case, provide information, and recommend the appropriate next steps. These services do not include attorney preparation. We conveniently offer document preparation packages as well as flat fee pay-as-you-go options.
Limited Scope Representation Services
Attorney representation for specific child custody and visitation issues, including preparation and representation for a Request for Order hearing.
Mediation Services
Attorney-guided mediation focused on resolving family law issues, including divorce, custody, parenting plans, support, or property division, outside of court through collaborative and creative solutions. Ms. Vandergrift has been a certified mediator since 2012 and focuses on helping families stay solution-oriented. This process often improves co-parenting outcomes and benefits children both in the short and long term.
Explore our transparent and competitive pricing options below and take the first step towards a fresh start with the peace of mind that comes from having an experienced attorney by your side.