Divorce Paperwork Preparation in California

The court says a California divorce takes at least 6 months. The 6 months run from the day the other spouse was served or responded. Many cases take longer, depending on how quickly the paperwork is finished and how much the spouses agree on.

Someone who is 18 or older and not part of the case must serve them. You cannot serve your own spouse. The server completes a proof of service, FL-115, and the original goes to the court, which will not move the case forward until it is filed.

Yes, financial disclosures are exchanged between spouses rather than filed. The court says the petitioner serves preliminary disclosures within 60 days of filing. Both spouses can waive the final disclosures in writing, using form FL-144.

Since January 1, 2026, spouses can start a divorce together with a joint petition, form FL-700, signed by both. The court says temporary orders cannot be requested this way. Either spouse can later revoke the joint petition by filing FL-720 before the judgment is final.

No, our role is self-help document preparation at your specific direction. It is not legal advice. You tell us the kind of case and who is involved, and we prepare the forms you ask for. Some courts also require local forms, so check your court's website.