Divorce in Los Angeles
Where your case is filed and who helps.

Family law matters in Los Angeles County are heard at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse (Central District) and at family law departments in district courthouses throughout the county. The court publishes a Family Law Departments Directory listing each courthouse and department.

The court has implemented mandatory e-filing for documents filed by litigants represented by attorneys, through an approved electronic filing service provider. Self-represented litigants have the option to e-file but are not required to.

If you do not have an attorney, the court's Self-Help Center offers workshops and help with divorce forms, and the Office of the Family Law Facilitator assists with child support paperwork. Both are free court services that give information, not legal advice, and they do not represent either spouse.

When parents cannot agree on custody or a parenting plan, they participate in child custody mediation through Family Court Services. The court describes mediation as confidential; if parents reach an agreement, the plan is submitted to the court for review and signature.

The Self-Help Center also has resources for responding to a divorce petition and completing declaration of disclosure forms. Separately, Family Court Services handles child custody evaluations when the court needs additional information from a mental health professional.

To file for divorce in California, one spouse must have lived in the state for six months and in the county of filing for three months (Family Code §2320). A divorce cannot become final until at least six months after the respondent is served or appears in the case (Family Code §2339). Divorces use the statewide Judicial Council forms, together with any Los Angeles local forms the court requires.