Raleigh, NC asked in Child Custody and Divorce for California

Q: my wife filed an uncontested divorce if California, I live in N.C. Court date is in 12 days. do I have to be there?

I am trying to fill out Fl- forms but it is stressful and I can't get PDF to print to mail in response. Is it to late? I lost my job (I'm a computer student) and my wife makes more than $6,000 a month. Can I get a lawyer and have her pay? I don't want to lose my kids.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Andy Chen
Andy Chen
Answered
  • Modesto, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: No, you don't have to physically be at the court hearing. You should either hire a lawyer right away who is in California close to the court where your case is, or if this particular court allows it, arrange for a CourtCall telephone appearance (courtcall.com). The fee for that is $86 or so. At that hearing, you can explain on the phone all the difficulties you're facing. If you need to hire a lawyer, most judges will give you sometime to do that.

Yes, CA law does allow one party to ask the other for prospective attorney's fees. This is called a CA Family Code section 2030 motion.

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