Bring Everything Together with a California Divorce Binder
As you move through the 5-phase resolution process, you’ll gather forms, financial information, parenting notes, and agreement drafts. The binder helps you organize all of that into a clear, court-ready structure so you’re never scrambling for documents at the wrong time.
Build Your Binder →
DIY Divorce Path

Resolve Your Divorce Without Losing Everything That Matters

This page gives you the big-picture map. Before you get buried in forms, filings, or attorney meetings, it helps to know what the roadmap looks like, where the biggest risks are, and how this site is set up to support you at each step.

If you haven’t already watched it, your first step should be the documentary “Divorce Corp”. It shows why so many families get chewed up by the system—and why a more intentional DIY path can protect your time, money, and mental health.

The 5-Phase DIY Resolution Roadmap

Every divorce is different, but most people move through the same core phases. Below is a simple version of the path this site is built around, with links to the pages that support each phase.

  1. Wake Up to the System You’re In Start by understanding how the divorce industry works so you don’t walk in blind. → Watch “Divorce Corp” and then review this overview.
  2. Educate Yourself on the Court Process Learn what the court can and cannot do for you, how judges make decisions, and where things often go off the rails— especially in high-conflict or mental-health-heavy cases. → Go to Educate Yourself on the Court System.
  3. Get Your Numbers and Facts Organized Before you negotiate, mediate, or talk to an attorney, you need a clear picture of what you own, what you owe, and what you realistically need to live. → Use the tools at Divorce Calculators & Organizers.
  4. Choose Your Resolution Path Once you understand the landscape and your numbers, you can decide whether to lean on DIY, DIY + coaching, or full mediation—and where limited legal help might fit in. → Take the quiz at Which DIY Path Fits Me?.
  5. Take Action with Support, Not Panic Use coaching, mediation, and carefully chosen legal help to move things forward without feeding constant conflict. → Explore DIY Coaching and Full Mediation Options.

Quick Actions You Can Take Right Now

If you’re overwhelmed, you don’t need to do everything at once. Pick one starting point that feels manageable, and move from there.

  • Watch the Divorce Corp trailer and full film.
  • Skim the court system education page for key concepts and myths.
  • Start a simple list of assets, debts, and monthly expenses.
  • Write down your biggest fears and goals for life after the divorce.
Open the DIY Divorce Hub Take the Path Quiz Go to Calculators

How the Main DIY Pages Work Together

Below is a simple snapshot of how each major DIY page fits into your overall journey. Think of this section as your “mini map” you can come back to whenever you feel lost or scattered.

DIY Divorce Start Page

The entry point that explains what DIY Divorce means here, what this site offers, and how to move through it without getting overwhelmed.

Go to DIY Divorce Start Page →

DIY Divorce Hub

Your central control panel for all DIY tools and resources—overview, education, calculators, quizzes, coaching, and mediation. When in doubt, start or return here.

Open DIY Divorce Hub →

Educate Yourself on the Court System

A deeper look at how the court and attorney-driven process actually works, where it helps, and where it can quietly make things worse.

Learn how the system works →

Divorce Calculators & Organizers

Tools to get clear on your assets, debts, and budget—so you can negotiate, mediate, or talk to attorneys from a position of clarity instead of confusion.

Use the calculators →

DIY Coaching & Mediation

When you don’t want to do this alone, you can combine DIY tools with coaching or full mediation to keep conflict down and progress moving.

Explore DIY Coaching → or Explore Mediation →

Which Path Fits Me?

A simple quiz to help you decide whether DIY, DIY + coaching, or full mediation is the safest and most realistic path for your situation.

Take the path quiz →

This overview is here to keep you oriented when the process feels confusing or chaotic. It does not replace legal advice or mental health treatment. Use it as a map to ask better questions, stay organized, and choose the level of support that matches your reality.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Take this quick 5-question quiz to find out whether you should choose DIY, Coaching, or Full Mediation.

1. How much conflict is currently happening between you and the other party?

2. Do you feel overwhelmed, confused, or stuck?

3. Is the other party willing to communicate calmly?

4. How comfortable are you managing forms, organization, and planning?

5. How quickly do you need progress?