Petition — Marriage/Domestic Partnership
The initial form that opens a dissolution (divorce), legal separation, or annulment case in California.
What this form does
FL-100 is the petition that starts a divorce, legal separation, or annulment case in California. You identify the parties, the date of marriage, whether there are children, and what you are asking the court to do — divide property, establish custody, order support. Filing it starts the six-month waiting period before a divorce can be finalized.
Who needs to file it
The petitioner — the person initiating the divorce or legal separation.
When to file it
File when you are ready to begin the dissolution process. The six-month clock starts from the date the respondent is served.
What happens after you file
The court issues an FL-110 Summons. You serve the respondent. They have 30 days to respond.
This form is in our free public library.
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