This article will provide an overview of the divorce process with a summary of the information provided by the California Courts.
Getting a divorce in California takes at least six months. There are four main steps to getting divorced and they are the same whether you are married or in a domestic partnership. If you want a legal separation, the steps are the same, but there isn’t a required six month waiting period.
Start the divorce case.
- One spouse files the papers and lets the other person know that the case has been started by serving the papers on that person.
- Then the other spouse has a chance to file a response.
- Visit the following website for more information about starting a divorce case.
Share financial information.
- The party that filed the papers must share financial information and the other party must also, if they are participating in the divorce process.
- The documents are shared with the other party and then you file a form so that the judge knows you met this requirement.
- Visit the following website for more information about sharing financial information in a California divorce.
Make decisions.
- You will need to decide how to divide property and debts, whether spousal support will be paid, and how to care for and support children (if appliable).
- You can work together with your spouse to come to an agreement on these issues or you can ask the court to decide.
- Visit the following website for more information about making decisions in a California divorce.
Finalize the divorce.
- This last step involves filing a set of final paperwork. The court will review the forms to make sure that nothing is missing and there are not mistakes and the judge will sign the final form.
- Visit this site for more information about finalizing a California divorce.
CONSULT THE LAW OFFICE OF DAVID KNECHT
If you need help with a divorce, contact the Law Office of David Knecht. Call us at 707-451-4502. We have extensive experience in family law and can help you feel confident and comfortable navigating a California divorce.