Legal Genie™ Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the question in the list to see the answer.
What is the cost for using the Legal Genie™?Who created the Legal Genie™?
Do I need to download any software?
Is Legal Genie™ Secure?
What kinds of forms will Legal Genie™ complete?
How much time will it take to go through Legal Genie™?
Do I have to finish all the questions at one time?
What if I lose my Password?
What if I think my forms aren't right?
What if I need more help?
Can Legal Genie™ electronically file (e-file) my forms?
Divorce Forms
Paternity Petition Forms
Order to Show Cause Forms
Guardianship Forms
Name Change Forms
Civil Harassment Forms
Fee Waiver Forms
Eviction Forms
Wage and Earnings Forms
Notice of Motion Forms
Income and Expense Declaration Forms
Paternity Answer (Governmental) Forms
What is the cost for using the Legal Genie™
Legal Genie™ is $199.95.Who created the Legal Genie™?
Legal Genie™ was created by a non-profit organization, the Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC), as a tool to help those who cannot afford an attorney to prepare thier legal forms.Do I need to download any software?
No, Legal Genie™ is an Internet-based application so there is no software to download. If you do not already have Adobe Reader you will need to download it to print your forms. It is free: download it at www.adobe.com .Is Legal Genie™ Secure?
Legal Genie™ uses 512 bit encryption technology to prevent your information being breached through the Internet. Our servers are in a dedicated AT&T DataCenter with full security and biometric access. We are FTC compliant to ensure your information is safeguarded. You can also click the "Data Policy and Privacy Policy" found at the bottom of the page for additional information.What kinds of forms will Legal Genie™ complete?
If you would like more information about each of the Legal Genie™ modules take a look below for more detail.You can click on any module in the list for more detail. If you are not sure you can just scroll down the whole page for detail on every module.
How much time will it take to go through Legal Genie™?
Using Legal Genie™ generally takes 30 minutes to 2 hours. The type of forms you create, and the amount of information you enter will vary based on your case and how quickly you enter information. You can exit and return later and continue entering your information. The information is saved for you and you do not need to enter it again. Log in again with your password to continue your forms.Do I have to finish all the questions at one time?
No, you can begin using Legal Genie™ and if you don't have the time to finish, or you don't have all the information you need, you can exit and return later and continue entering your information. The information is saved for you and you do not need to enter it again. Log in again with your password to continue your forms.What if I lose my Password?
Your password is printed when you first begin using Legal Genie™. It is also printed with your court forms on a separate page. If you entered an email address when you created your password, you can request your password be mailed to you. If you lost your password or want to begin again without your old information, you can start over by selecting "I am new to Legal Genie™" when you start using the software. You can also click the link "Need Help?" and ask for your password to be emailed to you. You will need to provide your full name, type of forms you are completing, and about when you started. Passwords requested during normal business hours are usually sent within a day.What if I think my forms aren't right?
Legal Genie™ fills out your court forms based on your answers and determines which forms are completed. If for any reason you feel your forms are not correct, do not file forms that Legal Genie™ completes for you.You can contact your local court Free Family Law Self-Help Center in your county for Divorce, spousal, child support, custody, or visitation matters, your local court Free Domestic Violence Center in your county for Domestic Violence matters, or the Free Small Claims advisor in your county for Small Claims matters, or a legal professional for guidance.
Although we provide software support, we cannot answer questions regarding legal advice.
What if I need more help?
You can contact your local court Free Family Law Self-Help Center in your county for Divorce, spousal, child support, custody, or visitation matters, your local court Free Domestic Violence Center in your county for Domestic Violence matters, or the Free Small Claims advisor in your county for Small Claims matters, or a legal professional for guidance.Although we provide software support, we cannot answer questions regarding legal advice. You can get answers to software issues by clicking "Need Help?" link to send us an email.
You can also click on the "Other Resources" link on the menu for more information.Can Legal Genie™ electronically file (e-file) my court forms?
Since this is not yet available for these kinds of cases, Legal Genie™ does not support this.Divorce Forms
Legal Genie™ can help you fill out the paperwork you need to divorce your spouse or respond to a divorce.
Start with Step 1 to begin your divorce or to respond to a divorce. If you have your financial information with you, you may continue to Step 2 and file the paperwork at the same time.
Do Step 2 to create your initial financial paperwork. To create your final financial paperwork, return to Step 2 and revise your answers.
Do Step 3 to complete your divorce. You can file Step 3 six months after Step 1 was filed.
Legal Genie™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- Step 1 - Forms FL-100, FL-105, Fl-110, FL-115, FL-120, L-1120
- Step 2 - Forms FL-140, FL-141, FL-142, FL-150
- Step 3 - Forms FL-130, FL-144, FL-160, FL-161, FL-165, FL-170, FL-180, FL-190, FL-192, FL-341, FL-342, FL-343, FL-345
Paternity Petition Forms
If you would like the court to recognize who is the parent of your child legally so you can ask for Child Support, Custody, or Visitation, and this has not been done through marriage, adoption, or other legal process, you must file a Petition to Establish Parental Relationship with the Court.
You must also fill out the Income and Expense Declaration forms if you ask for child support, spousal support or attorney fees and costs in your Paternity Petition.
Legal Genie™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- Petition/Response: FL-200, FL-210, FL-220, FL-105, FL-310
- After Hearing: FL-250, Fl-341, FL-341(A), FL-341(B), FL-341(C), FL-341(D), FL-341(E), FL-342, FL-190, FL-191, FL-192, FL-230, FL-235, L-31, L-124, MC-040
- Income and Expense: FL-150
Order to Show Cause Forms
Order to Show Cause (OSC for short) is used to ask for or ask to change child support, child custody, visitation, child medical expenses, spousal support, property orders and/or attorney fees and costs. You must file an OSC with either a Divorce, Paternity, or Custody and Visitation case. You can file and OSC either at the same time, while your case is pending, or after you have a judgment.
You must also fill out the Income and Expense Declaration forms if you ask for child support, spousal support or attorney fees and costs in your OSC.
Legal Genie™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- FL-300 Petition, FL-310 Supporting Declaration, FL-311 Child Custody and Visitation Application, FL-312 Child Abduction Prevention, FL-341(C) Children's Holiday Schedule, FL-330 Proof of Personal Service, FL-335 Proof of Service by Mail, FL-305 Ex Parte Orders, L-1124 Declaration Re: Notice (Ex Parte)
- FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration
Guardianship Forms
Legal Genie™ can help you file for Guardianship if you are a parent or if you are nominating yourself to be a guardian of a child (or children). As a parent or proposed guardian, you can nominate up to two guardians for a child (or children) using Legal Genie™.
Legal Genie™ is not for those who are applying for guardianship of a child who has Native American ancestry or who may have Native American ancestry or guardianship of a child who owns a lot of property (for example a house or $25,000 cash). Please be aware that the court cannot appoint a guardian for a minor who is married or whose marriage ended in divorce.
Legal Genie™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- GC-210(P) Petition, GC-210(CA) Child Information Attachment, GC-120 UCCJEA, GC-212 Guardian Screening Form, GC-020 Notice of Hearing
Name Change Forms
If you are an adult, Legal Genie can help you change your own name and/or the name of a minor child or children. If you want to change the name of a minor child or children, you must be the the parent(s) or legal guardian of the child or children. In order to change two or more children's names with the same password, they all must have the same parents.
If you do not know the location of the parent(s) or other parent, Legal Genie can help you apply for Service by Publication.
Legal Genie™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- NC-100 Petition, NC-110 Attachment, NC-110G Attachment for Guardian, NC-120 Order to Show Cause, NC-121 Proof of Service, NC-130 Decree, NC-130G Decree for Guardian, L-317 Service by Publication, L-318 Service by Publication, L-937 Service by Publication
Civil Harassment Forms
If you want to ask for a restraining order to stop harassment, you can use Legal Genie™ to complete your forms to request a hearing and receive a restraining order.
If you have a domestic relationship (for example: a spouse or ex-spouse, someone you live or lived with, a relative, someone you dated or were engaged to, or the parent of your child or children) with the person from whom you need protection, select "Domestic Violence Restraining Order".
If you want to respond to a restraining order, you can also use Legal Genie™ to complete your forms.
Legal Genie™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- Request: CH-100, CH-102, CH-120, CH-130
- Response: CH-110, CH-131, CH-145
Fee Waiver Forms
The court will charge you a fee to file your forms. If you cannot afford the filing fee you can apply for a Fee Waiver.
If you apply for a Fee Waiver your forms will be filed as if you have paid the fees. The court will then make a decision to determine which fees, if any, you need to pay.
If you apply for a Fee Waiver and another party is filing with you, they will need to fill out a Fee Waiver as well.
Legal Genie™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- FW-001 Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs
- FW-003 Order for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs
Eviction Forms
If you have been served with some papers from your Landlord called Complaint- Unlawful Detainer UD-100 for your home a lawsuit has been filed against you in Court. You will need to respond to the Court and have your case heard so a decision can be made. If you do not respond you will be evicted.
If you want to evict a tenant in a residential property, Legal Genie™ will help you fill out a notice to your tenant and a complaint to file at the court.
Legal Genie™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- Complaint: CM-010, SUM-130, UD-100, POS-010, 60 day notice, 30 day notice, 3 day notice to quit, 3 day notice to perform or quit, 3 day notice for non-payment of rent
- Answer: UD-105
Wage and Earning Forms
If you have been served with some papers from the Department of Child Support Services asking you to pay past due child support, and you disagree with the amount that will be taken from your paycheck you will need to respond to the Court and have your case heard so a decision can be made.
Legal Genie™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- Request For Hearing Regarding Earnings Assignment(Govenrmental) FL-450
Notice of Motion Forms
If you have been served with some papers from the Department of Child Support Services called Notice of Motion (Governmental) FL-680 a lawsuit has been filed against you in Court, and you have been named as a person that is responsible for care of a child or children. You will need to respond to the Court and have your case heard so a decision can be made, and issues such as child support can be determined.
Legal Genie™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- FL-680, FL-684, FL-421
Income and Expense Declaration Forms
If you are involved in a Family Law Case and Child Support, Spousal Support, or Court and Attorney Fees, or Medical Expenses are an issue you and the other person will both need to fill out forms that the Judge reviews to be able to make an order.
Legal Genie™ will help you fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- Income and Expense Declaration, FL-150
Paternity Answer (Governmental) Forms
If you have been served with some papers from the Department of Child Support Services called Summons and Complaint Regarding Parental (Governmental) FL-600 a lawsuit has been filed against you in Court, and you have been named as a person that is responsible for care of a child or children. You will need to respond to the Court and have your case heard so a decision can be made, and issues such as child support can be determined.
Legal Genie™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. Legal Genie™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.
Legal Genie™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:
- Answer To Summons and Complaint Regarding Parental Obligation (Governmental) FL-610