How to File for Divorce in California Without a Lawyer
Divorce in California has a six-month minimum waiting period from the date the other party is served. No judge can waive it. Beyond that, the timeline depends on how complicated your situation is and whether you and your spouse agree on the major issues. Here is how the process works from start to finish.
Step 1 — File the petition
File FL-100 — Petition for Dissolution — with the Superior Court in the county where either you or your spouse has lived for the past three months. The court clerk issues an FL-110 Summons at the same time. The summons contains automatic restraining orders that take effect immediately on both of you.
Step 2 — Serve your spouse
You must serve your spouse with the FL-100 and FL-110. Someone other than you — any adult not named in the case — personally hands them the papers. That person completes FL-115 (Proof of Service of Summons) and you file it with the court. The six-month clock starts from the date of service.
Step 3 — Financial disclosure
Both parties must exchange financial disclosures within 60 days of filing. You serve FL-140, FL-142, and FL-150 on your spouse. They serve the same on you. These are not filed with the court — only proof of service is filed (FL-141).
Step 4 — Reach agreement or go to trial
If you and your spouse agree on everything — property, custody, support — you can submit an uncontested judgment package: FL-170, FL-180, and any attachments covering property (FL-345), support (FL-342, FL-343), and custody (FL-311, FL-341). If you cannot agree, the court schedules hearings to resolve each disputed issue.
Step 5 — Final judgment
The judge signs FL-180 — the Judgment. You then file FL-190 — Notice of Entry of Judgment — and serve it on your spouse. The date on FL-190 is the date your divorce is final. You cannot remarry until that date.
Filing fee
Filing FL-100 costs $435 to $450. Your spouse pays the same to file FL-120 in response. Fee waivers available via FW-001.
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