Navigate Your California Divorce with Confidence

Practical explanations, reliable resources and interactive tools—everything you need to move forward, one clear step at a time.

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Explore Key Topics at a Glance

Divorce Process

From filing your petition to receiving the final judgment, see how each stage works in plain English—with timelines and required paperwork.

Custody & Support

Get clarity on legal and physical custody, support calculations, visitation schedules and how courts put your child’s best interests first.

Property & Finances

Community versus separate property, retirement accounts and spousal support—break down the money questions step by step.

Forms & Resources

Download the official Judicial Council forms, see county-specific rules and locate free legal aid or mediation services.

Your Divorce Roadmap: Six Clear Steps

Confirm Eligibility & Choose Your Divorce Type

Learn California’s six-month residency rule, decide between contested, uncontested or summary dissolution, and weigh mediation or collaborative options before you file. Starting with the correct path saves time and money down the road.

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File & Serve the Initial Petition

Complete FL-100, FL-110 and any local supplements, pay the filing fee (or request a fee waiver), and ensure proper service on your spouse. We outline exact form names, filing locations and common mistakes to avoid rejection.

Paperwork Checklist

Exchange Financial Disclosures

California’s Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure (PDD) is mandatory. Our guide shows how to complete FL-140, FL-142 and FL-150 accurately, plus when you can waive the final disclosure with a solid settlement agreement.

Asset & Debt Guide

Negotiate or Litigate Key Issues

Whether you draft a marital settlement agreement or head to trial, understand how judges evaluate custody, support and property claims, plus strategies for productive negotiations and required settlement conference briefs.

Options Explained

Finalize & Submit Judgment Packet

Compile FL-180 with all required attachments, ensure signatures are correct and address post-judgment name changes. Our checklist prevents the dreaded “rejection slip” and accelerates court approval.

Judgment Timeline

Implement Orders & Plan Next Steps

Update titles, refinance loans, set up support payments and revise estate documents. We also cover modification and enforcement procedures if circumstances change later.

Modify Orders

Practical Tools to Simplify the Process

Child Support Calculator

Estimate monthly payments instantly using California guideline factors—income, custody time share and health-insurance premiums. Results update live as you adjust numbers.

Launch Calculator

Divorce Forms Checklist

Interactive checklist tracks every mandatory Judicial Council form, plus county-specific documents. Check off items, save progress in your browser and export a completion report.

Open Checklist

Frequently Explored Guides

How Spousal Support Is Calculated

Duration rules, income imputation and tax implications—know what drives the numbers before negotiations start.

Crafting a Parenting Plan That Works

Sample schedules, holiday sharing and virtual visitation tips that focus on your child’s stability.

Splitting 401(k)s & Pensions

QDRO basics, valuation methods and avoiding tax penalties when dividing retirement assets.

California County Court Directory

Address, filing windows and remote-appearance details for every Superior Court family division.

Free & Low-Cost Legal Help

Verified nonprofit organizations, pro-bono clinics and self-help centers across California.

Divorce Terminology Glossary

Plain-language definitions of over 120 family-law terms you’ll see in forms and hearings.

Frequently Asked Questions

California imposes a mandatory six-month waiting period between service of the initial petition and entry of judgment—no exceptions. Simple, uncontested cases can finalize as soon as that period ends, provided all paperwork is complete. Contested cases vary widely; discovery, custody evaluations and trial calendars can push final judgment to 12–24 months or longer. Our detailed timeline explains ways to keep the process moving.

California allows complete self-representation, and thousands of couples finalize without attorneys each year. However, legal counsel is recommended if you have complex assets, a high conflict custody dispute, domestic violence, or simply feel uneasy navigating court procedure. Many choose limited-scope representation—hiring a lawyer for document review or a single hearing—to control costs while gaining expert input. Our resources page lists free legal aid and certified family law specialists by county.

A California divorce does not require both signatures. If your spouse fails to respond within 30 days of service, you may request a default judgment and move forward without their input, provided proper notice and disclosures are completed. If they contest but refuse to sign a settlement, the court can decide unresolved issues at trial. Our guide on default and contested procedures details each pathway.

California courts apply the “best interest of the child” standard, examining factors like stability, co-parenting cooperation, health, safety and educational continuity. Most counties require mediation before a judge will hear the case; mediators facilitate an agreement or issue recommendations. If no agreement is reached, the judge reviews evidence—including school records, witness testimony and, in some cases, child interviews—before issuing an order. Learn more in our custody section.