California divorce at a glance
Official source: California court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
How to file for divorce in California: step by step
California is a no-fault state with a mandatory 6-month waiting period. Its Judicial Council forms are used statewide, though counties add local requirements. Here is the path from petition to judgment.
- Confirm you can file in California
You qualify if you have lived in California for at least 6 months and in your county for at least 3 months. California is a no-fault state — you file on "irreconcilable differences" and your spouse cannot block the divorce.Source: Cal. Fam. Code § 2320 - Fill out and file your petition
Complete the Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110) — plus the UCCJEA declaration (FL-105) if you have children — and file them with the Superior Court clerk (about $435). If you cannot afford the fee, file a fee-waiver request (FW-001).Source: Judicial Council forms FL-100/FL-110/FL-105; FW-001 (fee waiver) - Serve your spouse
Have someone 18 or older who is not you serve your spouse with the papers, then file a Proof of Service (FL-115). California’s 6-month clock starts on the date of service.Source: Proof of Service FL-115 - Exchange financial disclosures
Both spouses must exchange a Declaration of Disclosure (FL-140/FL-142) and an Income & Expense Declaration (FL-150). This step is required even in an agreed divorce.Source: Cal. Fam. Code §§ 2103–2104; FL-140/FL-142/FL-150 - Calculate child support (if you have children)
California uses a statewide formula based on both parents’ incomes and parenting time. Use the official California Guideline Child Support Calculator to get the number.Source: California Guideline Child Support Calculator (childsupport.ca.gov) - Prepare the judgment packet
For an uncontested or default divorce, prepare the Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution (FL-170), your proposed Judgment (FL-180), and the Notice of Entry of Judgment (FL-190) for the judge to sign.Source: FL-170 / FL-180 / FL-190 - Wait out the 6 months and get your judgment
The earliest your divorce can be final is 6 months after your spouse was served. Once the judge signs the Judgment, keep a filed copy.Source: Cal. Fam. Code § 2339
What does filing “pro se” (without a lawyer) mean in California?
Pro se — also called self-represented — means you handle your own divorce without hiring an attorney. Check the linked court resources for the self-represented filing paths and forms available where you will file. Local requirements and the issues in your case determine which documents you need.
Filing pro se is usually a good fit when: you both agree on the divorce, you can agree on splitting property and debts, and any parenting time and support are worked out. It’s worth talking to a lawyer when: you disagree about custody or money, one spouse hides assets or won’t cooperate, there’s a business or significant property to divide, or there has been any abuse.
LawCat helps you organize your case information and find official court resources. Available generated drafts depend on your state and case path; review the court’s complete checklist before filing.
Child support resources for California
California child support calculator → An itemized estimate from California’s official guideline, figures effective 2026-01-01. The court’s worksheet controls.
Use the current official worksheet and instructions for your case. Income definitions, parenting arrangements, deductions, other obligations and additional expenses can affect the result. A simple percentage of the higher earner’s income does not establish an obligation.
Official child support tools →
How long does a California divorce take?
At least 6 months from the date your spouse is served (or first appears) before your marriage can legally end. (Fam. Code § 2339) After that, the timeline depends on the court’s calendar and how quickly each step is completed. An uncontested, pro-se divorce is typically the fastest path — most of the wait is the statutory period, not paperwork.
Common reasons California divorce filings get rejected
- Missing signatures, or forms that aren’t notarized where the court requires it.
- Skipping the financial disclosure both spouses are required to exchange.
- Filing before meeting the residency requirement.
- Mistakes serving the other spouse, or forgetting to file the proof of service.
- Not following local county rules. Moderate–high. Judicial Council forms are statewide, but many counties add local forms and judgment checklists, and pro-se judgment packets are often rejected for local-format issues.
LawCat’s guided questions and filing checklist are built to prevent exactly these — the errors that send self-represented filers back to the clerk’s window.
Prepare your California court forms
Guided preparation covers starting papers (FL-100, FL-110 and the supported FL-105 path), service papers (FL-115 and FL-117), financial forms (FL-140, FL-141, FL-142 and FL-150), a mutual final-disclosure waiver (FL-144), agreed-divorce appearance and declaration drafts (FL-130 and FL-170), property and spousal-support attachments (FL-345 and FL-343), a mutual support-factor agreement or individual support declaration (FL-349 and FL-157), agreed parenting orders with optional joint-custody terms (FL-341 and FL-341E), bounded child-support orders from an actual reviewed certified calculation (FL-342), a proposed judgment (FL-180) and the clerk’s notice (FL-190). Child-case judgments and support-order downloads include the complete FL-192 notice; keep one copy when assembling the judgment. Save ordinary draft answers and return when ready. The confidential FL-191 registry has a separate interview and download; its answers are never saved to LawCat. A separate session-only FL-195 interview prepares an unsigned court-review draft using only the last four SSN digits. That draft is not sealed or employer-ready; judicial approval and the actual employer/SDU process remain separate. These are selected drafts; the actual signed agreement, supporting records, other attachments and local forms still need preparation. The court must approve and enter a judgment before a divorce is final.
Start your case →Individual California form information
The standalone summons is a partial draft. Use the guided filing-draft workflow to prepare the supported initial form set.
Why LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat’s document preparation is free, with no subscription and no card on file.
Compare divorce filing fees in every state →
California divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in California?
No lawyer is required: California courts accept divorce filings from self-represented (pro se) people, and the official court resources linked on this page explain the forms and steps. Many people talk to a lawyer when custody, support or property is disputed. LawCat prepares selected California form drafts free of charge; it does not give legal advice.
How long do I have to live in California to file for divorce?
You must have lived in California for 6 months and in the county where you file for 3 months before filing. (Fam. Code § 2320) Confirm the current rule with the official California court source before filing.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in California?
The court filing fee is about $435–$450 first-appearance fee (each spouse who appears pays; a few counties add small surcharges). Request a fee waiver with Form FW-001 (the court signs an order on FW-003) if you can’t afford the fee. LawCat’s available drafts have no document-preparation charge; court costs, service and other expenses are separate.