10 Steps To Getting a Divorce in California

Despite having a well-established divorce law that dates back to 1851, California has one of the lowest divorce rates in the country. Only 9.3% of the population in California are divorced. While ending a marriage is not an easy decision, it’s crucial to know how to advocate for yourself, your children, and your property during the divorce process in California.

In this article, we provide an overview of the CA divorce process, essential California divorce steps to be taken, and answer the most frequently asked questions about how to divorce in California.

Before going through the divorce process in California, it’s best to find out if you are qualified to file for a divorce under California law. If you’re wondering how to start a divorce in California, here are some things you will need to know:

California is one of 17 states that allow for “no-fault divorce.” In fact, “no-fault” (deemed irreconcilable difference) is one of only two grounds for divorce, along with permanent legal incapacity to make decisions. This means that to dissolve a marriage, there is no need to show wrongdoing by either party. To start the divorce process California, the person filing divorce in California (also known as the petitioner) does not need to show evidence of the other party’s breach of marital obligations. 

Understanding how to start a divorce in California begins with fulfilling certain residency requirements. First, one of the married spouses must have lived in the state of California for at least six months and in the county where the petition is to be filed — for at least three months.

The exception to this rule is for divorce proceedings of same-sex marriages. In this case, either spouse can file a divorce regardless of being a resident of California if the marriage was entered in California and neither party to the marriage currently resides in a jurisdiction that will dissolve the marriage due to marriage being between same-sex partners. However, to qualify, the petition for divorce must be filed in the county where the marriage was celebrated.

For those willing to know more about how to get divorce in California, it is important to keep the waiting period in mind before making any plans to remarry directly after getting divorced. California state law requires a waiting period of 6 months from the time the respondent spouse is served the divorce papers. While the judicial approval of the divorce papers can take less than six months, the divorce will not be final until this waiting period has lapsed. 

Here are ten divorce steps California residents should take to dissolve a marriage. Depending on your situation and preferences, you may not have to go through all of these steps. 

To initiate the divorce California process, the petitioning spouse, known as the petitioner, needs to fill out the following divorce forms:

After filing the petition, the petitioner must also inform the other spouse, also known as the respondent, of the divorce petition. In addition, the respondent must be served with the divorce papers by a third party. The server of the divorce papers can be a friend or relative over the age of 18, a county sheriff, or a professional process server, who must fill out a Proof of Service form. This Proof of Service form will then be presented to the court clerk where the divorce petition is filed. 

Within 30 days of being served divorce papers, the respondent must file a response with the appropriate court — this is a crucial part of the process when getting divorced in California. If the respondent does not respond, then the court may grant the terms of the divorce as requested by the petitioner. Depending on the response, this could result in a contested or uncontested divorce. Regardless of the response or lack thereof, the divorce may still be granted even without the agreement of the respondent spouse as long as one of the spouses has filed a petition for divorce.

Requesting for temporary custody or support will only be necessary if the divorcing spouses have minor children. This request will help determine which spouse will get temporary custody and/or be required to support children while the divorce proceedings are still pending. 

If the respondent spouse has any objections or proposed amendments to the custody and support arrangements requested by the petitioner, the petitioner will have to file a response. Similar to the response to the petition, a lack of response from either the respondent or from the petitioner to the respondent will allow the court to decide on custody and support based on the terms provided by the petitioner. 

In case either spouse would like the court to issue temporary orders regarding custody and visitation of children, support, or use of property while the divorce proceedings are pending, either spouse may fill out a request for order form. Take note that the respondent spouse may only file this if they were able to file a response. Similar to the original divorce petition, the request for order papers must also be served to the other spouse. Once this is filed with the clerk of court, you should get a date for a hearing, which both spouses must attend. 

During this step, both spouses must fully disclose all their assets and liabilities, as well as their income. Failure to provide accurate information may result in penalties, which may include losing an entire asset to the other spouse. Ensure that you have your financial documents ready, including tax returns from the last two years, documents relevant to community property that spouses jointly own, joint debt statements, and joint investments. Similar to previous steps, the documents and forms must be filed with the court and served to the other spouse. Proof of service must also be filed with the clerk of court.

The discovery process, which includes both informal and formal discovery, is where each party obtains information from the other. This process ensures that both parties to the divorce, through a thorough and fair assessment of the facts, can negotiate an amicable and fair agreement. It also allows the judge to make fair decisions in case of disputes, especially in contested divorces.

When the parties to a divorce disagree on certain issues, the court may need the help of expert witnesses who can provide specialized knowledge and professional opinion on the issues. Forensic accountants, custody evaluators, and medical experts are a few examples of expert witnesses who may be involved in divorce proceedings. 

These negotiations may be a long or short process, depending on how much the spouses agree on the divorce settlement, also known as a marital settlement agreement. The marital settlement agreement is a legally binding document between the spouses regarding the issues involved in the divorce.

The last thing you should know about how to file a divorce in California is that most divorces do not need to go to trial. If the divorce does go to trial, this is where both sides, especially in contested divorces, are given an opportunity to be heard in order to enable the judge to reach a fair decision. After the trial, the judge will issue a written order that provides for the actual divorce as well as the court’s decision on contested issues. The decision is appealable within 30 days, after which the divorce will be finalized after the lapse of the six-month mandatory waiting period.

Divorcing in California is a complex process that requires careful steps in terms of preparation, filing, and response to various petitions and disclosure of important information. The process can be stressful and challenging, particularly when aspects such as child custody, property distribution, and financial assets are at stake. It's important to approach it with clarity, preparation, and due legal guidance. This thorough understanding of the divorce process in California, including the steps involved and key conditions and terms, can empower both parties involved in a divorce to navigate the process with more confidence and less confusion, ultimately leading to a smoother transition to post-divorce life.