California Divorce Timeline: From Filing to Final Judgment

Wondering how long a California divorce really takes? This guide breaks down each phase—from Day 0 petition to post-judgment tasks—citing statutory rules and average courthouse backlogs, plus proven strategies to keep your case moving.

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Calendar page and wedding rings representing California divorce timeline

California divorce law imposes only one hard wait: the six-month “cooling-off” period under Family Code §2339. Yet most cases stretch far longer because of service delays, financial-disclosure errors, packed mediation calendars, and overbooked trial dockets. This timeline explains the statutory deadlines you must meet, plus the typical calendar days we see in real-world Los Angeles, San Diego, and Bay-Area courts.

Use it alongside our step-by-step divorce guide and the broader overview at divorce-process. Whether you plan an amicable split or anticipate litigation, knowing each phase’s duration lets you schedule child-care, housing, and financial planning with confidence.

Quick-View California Divorce Timeline

Phase	Statutory Rule	Typical CA Days*	Key Form(s)	Pro-Tip
Petition Filed	Starts the case (Fam. Code §2320)	0	FL-100	File early in week to receive faster clerk stamp.
Service of Summons	60-day target (CRC 5.83)	7–30	FL-115	Hire a process server within 48 hours of filing.
Response Due	30 days after service (Fam. Code §2020)	30	FL-120	Ask for written extension instead of default threats.
Preliminary Disclosures	60 days after response (Fam. Code §2104)	45–75	FL-140, FL-142, FL-150	Exchange bank statements electronically to save time.
Temporary Orders	No fixed rule; first hearing set per county	60–120	FL-300	File RFO at least 45 days before needed date.
Mediation / Settlement	Mandatory before trial (CRC 5.210)	90–270	Stipulation & MSA	Schedule private mediation during prelim disclosures.
Mandatory Cooling-Off	6 months + 1 day (Fam. Code §2339)	183	—	Clock starts on earliest service/response date.
Trial (if needed)	Court backlog dependent	270–540	FL-180 + trial briefs	Request settlement conference early to avoid trial.
Judgment Entered	After cooling-off & paperwork review	183–600	FL-180, attachments	Use proper judgment checklist to avoid rejection.
Post-Judgment Steps	Varies—QDROs, deeds, name change	30–120	QDRO/DRO, FL-190	Calendar tasks the same week judgment is filed.

*Typical days reflect 2025 averages across populous California counties; rural counties may differ.

Phase 1 – Petition Filed (Day 0)

Everything begins when the Petitioner files Form FL-100 with the clerk. This single act opens a case number and instantly activates the Standard Family Law Restraining Orders printed on the back of the summons. Because California is a no-fault state, grounds are limited to irreconcilable differences or permanent legal incapacity—learn the nuances in our grounds guide.

Mandatory Wait: The six-month clock does not start until your spouse is served or files a response—filing alone is not enough.

How to keep this phase moving

Double-check the courthouse’s family-law filing window hours—some close at 3 p.m.
Bring two extra copies: one conformed copy returns faster if the clerk scanners jam.
Pay by credit card to avoid a returned-check hold on your case file.
If eligible, file fee-waiver forms at the same time.

Phase 2 – Service of Summons (by Day 60)

You have 60 days to serve FL-110 and accompanying paperwork under California Rules of Court 5.83. Delays here push every later phase. Professional process servers cost roughly $85 in 2025 and usually complete service in 1–3 days.

Tip: If your spouse will accept service, use a Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt (FL-117) to skip personal service.

Acceleration checklist

Provide a recent photo of your spouse to the server to avoid “not found” returns.
File the Proof of Service (FL-115) inside 48 hours of completion—courts sometimes misplace it if handed-in later.
Email your spouse a courtesy PDF; while not legally required, it encourages quicker response filing.

Phase 3 – Preliminary Financial Disclosures (within 60 days of response)

California’s disclosure regime is unforgiving: no judgment—contested or not—may be entered without complete Preliminary Declarations of Disclosure (PDD). You’ll exchange FL-140 (declaration), FL-142 (Schedule of Assets & Debts), and FL-150 (Income & Expense) along with supporting statements.

Deadline: Both spouses must complete PDD before filing a Marital Settlement Agreement or requesting trial.

Keep it moving

Export bank data into CSV; copy-paste saves hours over manual entry.
Attach 24 months of statements for each account to avoid later “formal discovery” delays.
Use Google Drive or Dropbox shared folder; mark files read-only once exchanged.

Phase 4 – Temporary Orders & First Hearing (Day 30–90)

If support or custody cannot wait until judgment, file a Request for Order (FL-300) and secure a hearing in roughly 5–8 weeks. Some counties mandate mediation first for custody issues.

Trial Date Backlog Warning: Post-COVID backlogs mean first available hearing dates can be 90 days out. File early.

Move fast

Check local rules for page limits—exceeding them leads to rejection at filing window.
Serve FL-300 by personal service even if mail allowed; judges frown on late “mail time” excuses.
Bring three hole-punched copies to the hearing; many family courts lack punch stations.

Phase 5 – Settlement, Mediation or Trial Prep (Day 90–270)

Most couples resolve their case here through private mediation or a court-facilitated Mandatory Settlement Conference. Failure to settle moves the matter onto the trial-assignment list, where courtroom shortages can delay trial another 4–6 months.

Strategy Insight: Deliver a draft Marital Settlement Agreement before mediation; it frames issues and accelerates signing.

Keep momentum

Book a private mediator within 30 days of exchanging disclosures.
Exchange expert witness designations early—especially for business valuations.
File stipulations immediately; waiting to bundle them invites clerk rejections.

Phase 6 – Final Judgment & Post-Judgment Steps (Earliest Day 183+)

The court may enter judgment no earlier than six calendar months plus one day from the date your spouse was first served or appeared. Even if you sign all paperwork on Day 10, the clerk must hold it until the statutory waiting period lapses.

Mandatory Cooling-Off: Fam. Code §2339 requires at least 183 days before marital status terminates.

Finishing touches

Prepare QDRO/DRO drafts before judgment to avoid post-decree delays.
Record real-property deeds within 30 days or the recorder may reassess taxes.
Update estate documents and beneficiary designations the same week judgment files.

Earliest Judgment Date Calculator

California counts six calendar months plus one day from the earliest date your spouse was served or filed a response. Enter that date to see the soonest possible day the court can terminate your marital status.

Date of Service or Response

Example: if served on 01/01/2025, earliest status-termination date is 07/02/2025.

Speed-Up Checklist

Serve summons within 48 hours of filing.
Exchange preliminary disclosures before Day 45.
Book mediation the same week disclosures complete.
Draft judgment packet while awaiting six-month mark.
File all post-judgment transfers (QDROs, deeds) within 30 days of entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Fam. Code §2339 requires six months plus one day before a judge can restore single status. Couples may, however, sign a complete settlement early and submit judgment documents for future entry. Doing so locks in property division and support terms while the clock runs. Learn the paperwork steps in our paperwork guide.

Not automatically. The waiting period continues to run unless the Petitioner dismisses the action. If you cohabit during the case, the court may consider reconciliation evidence when dividing property acquired after the filing. For details on dismissing or pausing a case, see responding-to-divorce.

Backlogs typically add 30–90 days to hearing dates and 10–20 days to clerk judgment processing. The six-month statutory wait remains fixed, but every other milestone can stretch. Filing early in the week, using e-filing where available, and booking private mediation reduce backlog impact. Compare e-filing pros and cons in our paperwork article.

Summary dissolution still obeys the six-month waiting rule, but paperwork is streamlined. Couples who meet the eligibility thresholds (marriage under five years, no children, limited assets and debts) file a joint petition and bypass formal service. The clerk enters judgment automatically after the cooling-off period if neither spouse withdraws. See eligibility details on our filing-without-lawyer page.

No. Courts lack authority to waive or shorten the cooling-off period, even for terminal illness or imminent remarriage. However, they may bifurcate and terminate marital status at the six-month mark while reserving jurisdiction over property or support, allowing financial issues to resolve later. Bifurcation procedures appear in California Rules of Court 5.390.

Related Guides

This guide provides general information about California law and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for advice on your specific situation.