A summary dissolution is an easier way to get divorced or end a domestic partnership. It’s less expensive and there’s not as much paperwork as the standard divorce process.
Not everyone can use this process, but if you qualify, it may be a simpler process for you to end your marriage or domestic partnership.
Find a specific page or step-by-step instructions within our divorce section.
Looking for copies of divorce papers? Contact the court (opens in a new tab) where you or your spouse filed the case.
The next step in ending your marriage or domestic partnership by summary dissolution is to fill out some court forms and write an agreement that tells the court how you've agreed to divide your property.
You can end a domestic partnership registered in California using the Secretary of State summary dissolution process. The Secretary of State calls this terminating a California registered domestic partnership.
The final step in ending your marriage by summary dissolution is to file your forms with the court clerk and get a final divorce judgment signed by a judge. Your divorce will be final 6 months from when you file the papers.
If you qualify for the summary dissolution process, your first step is to read and sign a form that the court provides that will walk you through the requirements. Then you'll need to gather your financial information to share with your spouse. Your spouse must do the same.
