Affordable, guided legal help for California Domestic Violence Restraining Order cases.

Yes. Over 70% of restraining order proceedings nationwide have at least one self-represented party (i.e. a party without attorney representation).

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.

Affordable flat-rate pricing:

Hiring a private attorney for a DVRO case typically requires paying a retainer of $3,000 to $15,000+ on average, and family law attorneys in California charge between $250 and $500 per hour.

Our DIY digital services start at just $29. Our in-person DVRO clinic (including attorney form review) is priced at a $500 flat rate, giving you structured guidance at a fraction of the cost.

More privacy and convenience than a self-help center:

Court self-help centers and legal aid clinics typically offer pro-bono (free) support for self-representing litigants (SRLs), but many have the following limitations:

• Operate only during limited weekday business hours, leading many SRLs to take multiple days off work to get the help they need

• Provide minimal privacy in crowded public spaces (think the DMV, but for people with civil and family law issues)

• Most self-help centers in large counties offer little to no help actually filling out forms. You’re typically expected to arrive with >80% of the court forms already completed, or if you’re just starting your case, you’re typically sent away with a packet of forms to complete on your own.

No hidden fees and more customization than other court form-preparers:

• Some document preparation software providers will market themselves as free, but have hidden fees like requiring you to electronically-file (e-file) without the chance to review and understand the forms you’re submitting to the court beforehand. U Do It Legal’s software allows you to review and edit your court forms as needed before filing and service.

• Many of these options also only allow you to request specific sets of the most common orders and typically don’t include the option to ask the court for orders to keep information about minor children confidential, which can be crucial in protecting your minor children from abuse and harassment.

U Do It Legal gives you the ability to work through your forms privately and at your own pace, with step-by-step guidance built for convenience.

In short: we’re comprehensive, affordable, and private — a better fit for self-represented litigants who want to handle their DVRO paperwork confidently.

U Do It Legal is not a law firm and we don’t provide ongoing representation. If you attend our in-person DVRO Clinic, you’ll receive an attorney consultation/final review of your paperwork before filing. Our digital service packages are much cheaper and provide guided self-help, but they do not include attorney consultations.

Yes! We provide services for BOTH parties, across the full DVRO process.

Most resources only assist petitioners (protected parties) with the initial Request for DVRO. We serve both petitioners/protected parties AND respondents/restrained parties — always separately and with safety in mind. We’ve built five distinct service packages tailored to the most common DVRO situations:

1. Request a DVRO – for petitioners seeking protection.

2. Respond to a DVRO Request – for respondents who have been served with a restraining order request.

3. Renew a DVRO (ROAH) – for protected parties who already have a “permanent” Restraining Order After Hearing (ROAH) and want to extend it.

4. Request to Change or End a DVRO (ROAH) – for either party seeking to change or end an ROAH.

5. Respond to a Request to Change or End a DVRO (ROAH) – for the other party responding to a request to change or end an ROAH.

Yes. California Judicial Council forms (the official court forms) are available as free PDF downloads on the California Courts website.

However, while the forms themselves are free, knowing which ones you need and how to complete them correctly can be overwhelming. For example, in a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) case, there are over 50 possible DVRO forms, and which ones apply depends on your specific situation. Filling them out incorrectly can delay your case or even lead to your request being denied.

That’s where U Do It Legal helps bridge the gap. Our guided services walk you through the process step by step, so you know you’re preparing the right forms, the right way.

For those who want to explore the forms directly, we also provide free resources:

• DVRO Forms List – with descriptions and direct links to PDFs

• Divorce Forms List – with descriptions and direct links to PDFs

• Parentage Forms List – with descriptions and direct links to PDFs