Field Notes from the Trail

Names don’t match.
Like brands on a herd, spelling, initials, middle names, or “aka” show up different across the caption, body, signature blocks, and attachments.

Dates don’t align.
Signature, declaration, notary acknowledgment/jurat, and hearing/notice dates ride in different directions—sometimes the notary certificate lands later than the signer’s execution date.

Wrong address.
An old branch name or street/mailing address sits on the caption, or the return envelope points to the wrong courthouse/department—wrong trail, wrong town.

Missing or out of date forms.
A required local form goes missing, or an older Judicial Council edition saddles the packet.

Incorrect signatures or verifications.
Wet signatures or electronic signature; notarization/witness/verification language; capacity wording (e.g., attorney in fact) is off.

Proof of Service is incomplete.
The method (mail, certified mail, personal service, first-class, publication, posting), addresses, or dates aren’t fully stated; the server isn’t eligible; the POS doesn’t match what’s in the bundle.

Hearing notice is incomplete.
Date, time, or department goes missing; recipients don’t match; mailing details read half-baked.

Required boxes are left blank.
Judicial Council/local checkboxes that clarify what’s in the wagon aren’t marked (varies by county/courthouse).

Information isn’t consistent (facts & relief requested).
Spousal support, attorney’s fees, name-change entries, and assets/APNs read one way in places and another in proposed orders or attachments—two maps for one trail.

Packet isn’t organized for filing.
Documents aren’t in a clear order; originals and copies mingle; exhibits and labeled sets don’t stand out, and not knowing what goes makes it hard for the clerk to round up.

Got your paperwork tangled up like a tumbleweed? For affordable help to amend, continue, begin, or close a case, call 661-387-4005.