How to start and move through a California divorce.
This roadmap describes the ordinary single-petitioner process. Joint petitions, joint summary dissolution, publication, posting and other special procedures have separate instructions.
Source record reviewed: 2026-11-03 · Page updated: 2026-11-03 · Not attorney-certified legal advice
- 01
Verify California and county residence
Use the same spouse for the ordinary six-month state and three-month county periods. Confirm the correct county and review any partnership or same-sex-marriage exception.
- 02
Find the courthouse that accepts family filings
A county may have multiple locations. Use the court’s official finder and confirm the family-law filing location, accepted method, hours and local packet.
- 03
Prepare opening forms
Most ordinary cases begin with FL-100 and FL-110. FL-105 is generally added when minor children are involved. Temporary-order requests require additional forms and deadlines.
- 04
File and keep stamped copies
Pay the current fee or submit a fee-waiver request. The clerk assigns the case number and returns copies. A downloaded form is not a filed case.
- 05
Serve the filed opening papers
The petitioner cannot personally serve the papers. An eligible adult server completes service and the appropriate proof. Fee-waiver papers are generally not served.
- 06
Track response status without assuming agreement
The respondent generally has 30 days after service to respond. No response is not the same as a signed agreement and does not automatically award every request.
- 07
Complete preliminary financial disclosures
The filing spouse generally shares required disclosure documents within 60 days of filing. FL-140 and attachments are exchanged; FL-141 is the proof filed with the court.
- 08
Resolve property, debt, support and child issues
Use a written settlement where appropriate or the court process for unresolved issues. Parenting and support orders may require additional attachments.
- 09
Submit the correct final package
Default, uncontested and contested completions use different proof and judgment documents. The judge reviews the submission and may return corrections.
- 10
Confirm the entered judgment and effective date
Keep the signed judgment and notice of entry. Do not remarry or rely on termination until the judgment says marital status has ended.
Verify with the official source
Rules, forms, fees and local procedures can change. These links are the controlling starting points; the explanations on this site are preparation guidance, not a substitute for the current source.
- California Courts — Start a divorce case ↗Official source
- California Courts — Find my court ↗Official source
- California Courts — Serve divorce papers ↗Official source
- California Courts — Financial disclosures ↗Official source