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Divorce in California,
explained step by step.

Plain-English guides to the rules, forms and deadlines of a California divorce, each with links to the official court and statute pages.

15 guides · California law · As of October 30, 2026

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Getting started

Getting startedResidency requirements for a California divorceWho can file for divorce in California: the six-month state and three-month county residency rule, legal separation as a workaround, and the same-sex marriage exception.Read the guide →Getting startedSummary dissolution and the joint petition in CaliforniaHow summary dissolution works in California, who qualifies, and how the joint petition for divorce that became available on January 1, 2026 differs from it.Read the guide →Getting startedDivorce mediation in California: how it worksHow private divorce mediation differs from court custody mediation in California, what stays confidential, the mediator's role, and turning a deal into a judgment.Read the guide →Getting startedLegal separation vs divorce in CaliforniaHow legal separation differs from divorce and nullity in California: residency rules, marital status, consent, benefits and switching to a divorce later.Read the guide →

Filing and service

Filing and serviceSteps of an uncontested divorce in CaliforniaThe steps of an uncontested California divorce: petition and summons, service, financial disclosures, a written settlement, the judgment, and the six-month wait.Read the guide →Filing and serviceHow to serve divorce papers in CaliforniaWho can serve California divorce papers, how personal, mail, and substituted service work, when service is complete, and how to file the FL-115 proof of service.Read the guide →Filing and serviceHow to respond to a divorce petition in CaliforniaHow to respond to California divorce papers with form FL-120 within 30 days, how filing fees and fee waivers work, and what can happen if you do not respond in time.Read the guide →Filing and serviceDefault divorce in CaliforniaHow a default divorce works in California: true default versus default with agreement, the FL-165 request, what the court can award, and setting a default aside.Read the guide →

Money and property

Money and propertyFinancial disclosures in a California divorceCalifornia divorce financial disclosures explained: forms FL-140, FL-142, FL-150 and FL-141, the 60-day deadline, final disclosure or waiver, and fiduciary duty.Read the guide →Money and propertyCommunity vs. separate property in CaliforniaHow California sorts property in divorce: community vs. separate property, date of separation, commingling, written transmutations, quasi-community property, and debts.Read the guide →Money and propertyHow retirement accounts are divided in a California divorceHow California divides pensions, 401(k)s and IRAs in a divorce: the community share, the time rule, QDROs and plan orders, survivor benefits and valuation basics.Read the guide →Money and propertySpousal support in a California divorceTemporary vs long-term spousal support in California, the Family Code 4320 factors, marriages of long duration, the self-support goal and current tax treatment.Read the guide →

Children

ChildrenChild custody and visitation in a California divorceLegal vs physical custody, the best interest standard, parenting plans and FL-341 orders, and mandatory child custody mediation in a California divorce.Read the guide →ChildrenHow guideline child support works in CaliforniaHow California's statewide child support guideline works: income, parenting time, the official DCSS calculator, add-on costs, the local child support agency and changes.Read the guide →

After the divorce

After the divorceChanging custody, support and other orders after a California divorceHow to change custody, visitation, child support or spousal support after a California divorce with form FL-300, and why property orders are much harder to reopen.Read the guide →

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