Frequently Asked Questions

U Do It Legal gives you the tools and guidance to prepare your court forms and handle your California family law case without a lawyer—saving you time, money, and confusion. Think of us like TurboTax, but for family court.

Our platform helps you complete your legal paperwork step by step using plain English questions. Using your answers, U Do It Legal's software then generates prepared California court forms and documents for your case—ready to review, download, sign, and then submit to court. Our guided interviews walk you through your court forms one step at a time, in plain language—making the process easier to understand and less overwhelming.

We currently serve people involved in Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) cases, including:

• Those requesting a DVRO
• Those responding to one
• People trying to renew, change, or end a restraining order

If your case is outside this area, stay tuned—we're expanding to cover more family law matters and new jurisdictions. Join our mailing list to be the first to know when new services launch.

Not at all. U Do It Legal is built specifically for self-represented litigants—people going to court without a lawyer. While we don't provide legal advice or replace a lawyer, we offer a clear and supportive way to navigate the legal process on your own.

If you can afford an attorney, we recommend speaking with one. But if hiring a lawyer isn't possible—or if you just need help getting started—U Do It Legal is here to help you feel confident and prepared.

No. Our services do not include filing your forms with the court or serving them to the other party. However, we provide step-by-step instructions to help you do both on your own.

If you're unsure how to file or serve your paperwork, visit our Filing Guide and Service Guide for detailed walkthroughs.

U Do It Legal is designed for straightforward, self-represented cases. There are situations where hiring an attorney may be in your best interest:

• You are in immediate danger and need emergency legal intervention
• Your case involves complex property, financial arrangements, or business ownership
• There are serious allegations of abuse, neglect, or criminal conduct
• Your case involves expert testimony or large volumes of evidence
• Language barriers or disabilities affecting your ability to participate
• You're already represented by a lawyer

When in doubt, consult with an attorney to make sure your rights and case strategy are fully protected.

Absolutely. U Do It Legal was built for everyday people with zero legal experience. You don't need to know court jargon or complicated procedures—we'll guide you through everything in plain English. We also provide built-in definitions and helpful tips along the way so you feel supported from start to finish.

You can access U Do It Legal on any desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone using a web browser—but for the best experience, please use Google Chrome.

Starting is simple—and free. Take our eligibility quiz to confirm you qualify for our services. It takes about 2 minutes and requires no payment or commitment. Once you've confirmed eligibility, you can create an account, choose your service package, and begin your guided interview at your own pace.

Our pricing depends on the type of service you need:

In-Person DVRO Clinic: $500 flat rate (one-time payment). These small, in-person sessions are held in Torrance, CA and include a final form review by an attorney.

Online DIY DVRO Packages: Starting at $49. These self-guided interviews walk you through preparing DVRO paperwork online from start to finish. Each package is priced as a flat fee with no hourly charges, and can be accessed from anywhere in California. Exact pricing for packages are displayed after completing our brief eligibility and package sorting quizzes.

The in-person DVRO clinic includes direct support from licensed attorneys and DV advocates, plus live form preparation guidance—making it an affordable alternative to hiring a private lawyer (who may charge $250–$500 per hour with retainers ranging from $3,000–$10,000+). Our $500 flat rate gives you legal information support and form prep in a single session—no surprise fees.

We use a brief eligibility and case-sorting quiz before allowing users to select a package for two important reasons: (1) to confirm that our services are the right fit for your situation, and (2) to make sure you're directed to the correct package for your specific case type—whether you're a petitioner, respondent, or seeking to modify an existing order. Jumping straight to checkout without this step can result in purchasing the wrong package, which wastes your time and money.

Free resources are valuable—and we even provide many of them ourselves! But there's a big difference between having access to information and being guided through the process.

Think about filing your taxes. The IRS website has all the forms and instructions for free. But tools like TurboTax or H&R Block make the process easier, faster, and less stressful. U Do It Legal does the same for family law. Our platform offers guided, step-by-step support tailored to your case, so you don't have to interpret complicated forms or guess what to say.

We're here to help you prepare confidently and avoid the common mistakes that can delay your case—without the cost of hiring a lawyer.

While court-based self-help centers offer free assistance, the true cost of accessing those services often adds up in other ways. Many people have to take time off work—sometimes across multiple days—just to get help, which can result in lost wages that can far exceed the cost of using U Do It Legal.

One of our co-founders, who previously worked at self-help legal centers throughout Northern and Southern California, built U Do It Legal to address common frustrations with the traditional self-help system: limited operating hours, long lines, little to no privacy, and unpredictable wait times. Like the DMV, services are often first-come, first-served, with no guarantee you'll be seen that day.

U Do It Legal offers a flexible, user-friendly alternative. You can work through your legal documents on your own time, from any device, without the stress of missing work or navigating overcrowded clinics. Our platform provides clear, step-by-step guidance to help you feel confident and prepared—without sacrificing your time or your paycheck.

No. In California, there are no court filing fees (when filing in-person in a California court) or sheriff's service fees for Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) cases. This protection applies to both petitioners (those seeking protection) and respondents (those responding to a DVRO request). You do not need a fee waiver form—these fees should be automatically waived by law.

Court filing fees are waived under Government Code § 6103.2. Sheriff's service fees are waived under Code of Civil Procedure § 527.6(z)(1).

Note: These fee waivers apply to in-person court filing. Some courts that require or allow electronic filing (e-filing) through third-party providers may charge a service fee. Electronic filing service providers (EFSPs) are not required to waive their fees—even in DVRO cases.

Note: Sheriff's offices in California are not supposed to charge fees for serving DVRO papers. If you're told otherwise, you can refer to Government Code § 6103.2 and CCP §527.6(z)(1) or check with your local court's self-help center for assistance understanding the process.

We know how personal and important these documents are—and how overwhelming the legal system can feel when you're handling it on your own. That's why U Do It Legal was created: to help you complete court forms confidently and accurately, without needing to hire an attorney.

Our platform was designed by legal professionals who have spent years working directly with self-represented litigants in California's family law courts. Everything we build is guided by that real-world experience: what works, where people get stuck, and what actually helps.

We don't just hand you blank forms—we walk you through them, explain what each question means, and help you focus on telling your story, not trying to decode legal jargon.

Yes, protecting your privacy and security is our top priority. We use industry-standard encryption and security measures to ensure that your personal information and documents are securely handled.

Absolutely. U Do It Legal is a legitimate company committed to democratizing access to justice with the power of technology.

Our bootstrap (self-funded) approach has meant a more deliberate pace to our launch compared to larger tech companies' ability to rapidly release new software. This deliberate pace has been critical, allowing us three years to thoroughly develop and test our web application to ensure it meets the highest user experience standards for our target audience: self-representing litigants dealing with California's family and civil law cases.

We recognize the value of traditional legal counsel and advise those who can afford it to seek and retain professional legal services. However, for those who must navigate the legal system alone, we provide the information, tools, and guidance to make that process manageable.