Legal Question in Family Law in California

A lawyer is not required but if you want to achieve the best outcome on acquiring parenting and support orders , you should retain the services of an experienced family law attorney.

It depends on whether or not there are disputes over any significant issues of custody, support and/or allocation of assets and debts. If not, you really don't need an attorney. The book by Nolo Press called "How to Do Your Own Divorce In California" will guide you through the steps very easily in most undisputed cases. If you are going to have disputes, however, at a minimum you should use an attorney mediator, and if you are going to wind up having a court fight, you need your own attorney.