Divorce in California doesn’t have to mean thousands of dollars in attorney fees. If your case is uncontested — meaning you and your spouse agree on the major issues — the process is largely about preparing the right Judicial Council forms correctly and filing them in the right order. Here’s how it works.
Step 1: Confirm your residency
To file for divorce in California, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for the past 6 months and in the filing county for the past 3 months. If you don’t meet this yet, you can file for legal separation first and amend later.
Step 2: Prepare and file the Petition
The case starts with the Petition (FL-100) and a Summons (FL-110). If you have minor children, you’ll also need the Declaration Under UCCJEA (FL-105). You file these with the superior court in your county and pay the filing fee (or request a fee waiver with form FW-001).
Step 3: Serve your spouse
Your spouse must be formally served and given a chance to respond. Service is completed by someone over 18 who is not you, and a proof of service is filed with the court.
Step 4: Financial disclosures
Both spouses exchange a Declaration of Disclosure, including the Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) and a property declaration (FL-160). These are mandatory — a judgment can be set aside if they’re skipped.
Step 5: Settlement and Judgment
For an uncontested case, you prepare a Marital Settlement Agreement and the Judgment (FL-180) packet, including custody and support orders if you have children. Once approved, the court enters your judgment — though California’s mandatory 6-month waiting period must pass before the divorce is final.
How Curbside Legal helps
We prepare your entire uncontested divorce packet — every Judicial Council form, the settlement agreement, and the judgment — court-ready, starting at $995 (no children) or $1,250 (with children). That’s 40–70% below typical attorney rates. See pricing or start your intake.
Curbside Legal is a legal document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Court filing fees are separate.