Get a divorce
You probably know what divorce means. In California, the legal word for divorce is dissolution.
Dissolution is the legal process to end a marriage or domestic partnership. It includes both divorce and a simpler option called summary dissolution. In some cases, people may choose a different legal process, like legal separation or annulment.
Divorce is just one way to end your relationship. Keep reading to find the option that works best for your situation.
So, what’s a divorce?
Divorce is a legal way to end a marriage or domestic partnership. After a divorce, you’re no longer married. In your divorce case, the judge can make decisions about things like money, property, and children.
📌 You don’t need your spouse’s agreement to get a divorce. You can get divorced for any reason.
Domestic violence and safety
Divorce can be stressful. It can be unsafe if there’s domestic violence or abuse.
⚠️ If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.
Domestic violence isn’t just physical harm. It can include threats, stalking, sexual abuse, controlling money, or trying to isolate you from others.
📌 Your safety and your children’s safety come first.
You don’t have to start or finish a divorce if it’s not safe.
Domestic violence can affect:
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Child custody and visitation
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Who stays in the home
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How papers are served
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Whether the court makes special safety orders
Get help and protection
💬 Free, confidential help is available 24/7, even if you haven’t filed for divorce.
Which option is right for you?
Divorce
The most common way to end a marriage or domestic partnership in California.
In this option, 1 spouse starts the case, and the other spouse responds. You don’t have to agree on everything to file.
Good option if:
• Only 1 of you wants the divorce, or
• You don’t agree on issues, like your kids or money
Learn more about divorce
Divorce by joint petition
A newer option where you and your spouse file for divorce together.
You both agree to get divorced and start the case at the same time by filing a joint petition. This option can be simpler and may use fewer steps than a traditional divorce.
Good option if:
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You both want the divorce
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You’re willing to work together
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You agree (or expect to agree) on things like property, money, and parenting
📌 You still have to meet all legal requirements for divorce, including the waiting period.
Learn more about divorce by joint petition
Summary dissolution
A faster, simpler way to get divorced or end a domestic partnership. It costs less and uses fewer forms.
Not everyone qualifies, but if you do, this may be a good option.
Good option if:
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You've been married less than 5 years
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You don’t have much property or debt
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You don’t have children together
Learn more about summary dissolution
Legal separation
If you can’t or don’t want to get a divorce, you can ask the court for a legal separation. This lets you divide property and finances and get court orders about money or parenting.
⚠️ Legal separation doesn't end your marriage.
Learn more about legal separation
Annulment
An annulment is when a judge decides your marriage or partnership wasn’t legally valid from the start. If you get an annulment, it’s like the marriage never happened.
Learn more about annulment
Can you get a divorce in California?
To start a divorce case in California, one of you must:
- Have lived in California for the last 6 months, and
- Have lived in your current California county for the last 3 months
Same-sex couples
If you married in California but now live in a state that doesn’t let same-sex couples get divorced, you can file for divorce in the California county where you got married.
The court can end your marriage, but it may not be able to make decisions about property, support, or children. Talk to a lawyer to learn more.
Domestic partners
If your domestic partnership is registered in California, you don’t need to meet the usual residency rules to file for divorce here.
But if neither of you lives in California now, the court may not be able to make orders about property, support, or children.
If your domestic partnership isn’t registered in California, you’ll need to meet the residency requirement to file.
❌ If you don’t meet the requirements
You can either:
- Wait until you meet the requirements, or
- Start with a legal separation and switch to divorce later
Learn more about legal separation
✅ If you meet the requirements
Great! You can start your divorce case. Find your next step below. ⬇️
👇 Already started your divorce?
Pick the step you’re on to jump back in:
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📄 Fill out and file divorce papers
Start your case by filling out and filing the right forms.
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Legally deliver the divorce papers to your spouse.
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Learn what happens next while you wait for a response.
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Exchange financial documents, even if your case isn’t done.
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Work things out through mediation or by writing up an agreement.
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⚖️ Go to court
Ask a judge to decide if you don’t agree on everything.
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Turn in your final forms and get your divorce judgment.