California

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost for using I-CAN!™ Legal?

Why is I-CAN!™ Legal Free?

Do I need to download any software?

Is I-CAN!™ Legal Secure?

What kinds of forms will I-CAN!™ Legal complete?

How much time will it take to go through I-CAN!™ Legal?

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?

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?

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.

Can I-CAN!™ Legal electronically file (e-file) my court forms?

How do I check the status of my E-Filing?

Detailed step by step instructions are below:

1. Click on the link at the top of this page "Already have an I-CAN!™ password? Login Here"
2. Enter I-CAN!™ Legal click "Next" and select whether or not you want to view videos click "Next" again.
3. Select "Small Claims" click "Next"
4. Select "Print my e-filed forms" click "Next"
5. Enter your password then click "Next"
6. Your status will be displayed. If your filing is accepted by the court your forms will be listed for you to print and serve on the other party(s). If your filing is rejected by the court a reason is listed and you can correct your information and resubmit your filing again, at no additional cost.

How do I print my E-Filed forms?

Detailed step by step instructions are below:

1. Click on the link at the top of this page "Already have an I-CAN!™ password? Login Here"
2. Enter I-CAN!™ Legal click "Next" and select whether or not you want to view videos click "Next" again.
3. Select "Small Claims" click "Next"
4. Select "Print my e-filed forms" click "Next"
5. Enter your password then click "Next"
6. Your status will be displayed. If your filing is accepted by the court your forms will be listed for you to print and serve on the other party(s). If your filing is rejected by the court a reason is listed and you can correct your information and resubmit your filing again, at no additional cost.

What if my E-Filing is not accepted?

After you review your forms to verify your changes, click "Next" and a screen will prompt you to resubmit your filing again.

How do I submit my E-Filing?

To e-file your forms, review your forms to ensure they are correct and complete. Click "Next" on the screen that lists your forms and you will be prompted to e-file your forms if you choose to.

When you e-file your forms you will need to check back on this website to verify the court has accepted them, and you can print them, and then serve them on the other party as required.

Your forms will have the time, date, and location of the court hearing printed on them.

If you forget to log in and print and serve the forms, your court date will pass and no order will be made. You will then have to file and pay your filing fees again to request a hearing.

Divorce Forms

I-CAN!™ 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.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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

I-CAN!™ 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 I-CAN!™.

I-CAN!™ 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.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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, I-CAN! 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, I-CAN! can help you apply for Service by Publication.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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

Domestic Violence Forms

If you are the victim of Domestic Violence you can use I-CAN!™ to complete your forms to request a hearing and receive a Restraining Order.

To file a restraining order for domestic violence, you must have a domestic relationship with the person you want protection from (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).

If you do not have a domestic relationship with the person select "Civil Harassment Restraining Order".

If you want to respond to a domestic violence restraining order, you can also use I-CAN!™ to complete your forms.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ will print all of the forms that are necessary for your individual situation out of the following forms:

• Petition: DV-100, DV-101, DV-105, DV-108, L-1120, DV-110, DV-140, L-1124, DV-200, DV-125, DV-260, DV-505
• Response: DV-120, DV-540, DV-250

Civil Harassment Forms

If you want to ask for a restraining order to stop harassment, you can use I-CAN!™ 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 I-CAN!™ to complete your forms.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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

Small Claims Forms

Sue or Counter-sue in Small Claims Court

In Small Claims court you can sue for up to $7,500 (or up to $5,000 if you are suing as a business). If a small claim has been filed against you, you can counter-sue in Small Claims Court for up to $7,500 (or up to $5,000 if you are counter-suing as a business). If you cannot afford to pay your filing fees, I-CAN! will help you fill out and submit a Fee Waiver request to the court.

If I-CAN!™ supports e-filing for your court and the type of case you have, you may choose to E-File your small claim. Currently I-CAN!™ supports e-filing for Small Claims at the courts in Orange County.

Ask to Postpone your Small Claims hearing date

If you have a hearing date for your Small Claims case, you can ask the court to postpone your hearing to a later date. You have to have a good reason to postpone the hearing date. Usually you have to ask at least 10 days before the hearing. If you have a good reason why you are asking less than 10 days before the hearing, you can ask to postpone the hearing with less time.

If you cannot afford to pay your filing fees, I-CAN!™ will help you fill out and submit a Fee Waiver request to the court.

Prepare Small Claims after-hearing forms
After you have had a Small Claims hearing, I-CAN!™ will help you to file after-hearings forms. You can request to be allowed to collect your money if you won your case. You can also ask the judge to correct your judgment if there was a clerical error, cancel your judgment if the court applied the wrong law to your case, or appeal your judgment if you want to have your case heard again as if it was a new case.

• Small Claims: SC-100, SC-100A, SC-120, SC-120A, SC-101, SC-103, SC-104, FW-001, FW-003, CIV-010
• Small Claims Postponement: SC-110, SC-111
• Small Claims After Hearing: EJ-001, EJ-100, EJ-130, EJ-150, SC-105, SC-105A, SC-107, SC-108, SC-108A, SC-133, SC-134, SC-135, SC-140, MC-012, WG-001

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.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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, I-CAN!™ will help you fill out a notice to your tenant and a complaint to file at the court.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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.

I-CAN!™ 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. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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.

I-CAN!™ will fill out the forms for you by asking you simple questions and putting your answers on the court forms in the correct place. I-CAN!™ will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

I-CAN!™ 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