Everything on this page is free, matches the sources cited in the rest of this site, and follows the same rule as every guide here: plain English, checked against official sources, with the check date shown.
Download the printable PDF checklist packet — all 3 checklists plus the forms quick-reference table below, in one file you can print or save.
Which Filing Path Fits You?
A quick comparison. Each row links to the full guide, and none of this replaces reading the specific requirements before you choose.
| Path | Best for | Filing fee | Service required? | 6-month clock starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard divorce | Spouses who may not fully agree yet | $435 (the filer), $870 total if your spouse also files a Response | Yes | Service, or your spouse’s response — whichever comes first |
| Uncontested divorce | Both spouses agree on every term | $435–$870, same as above | Usually yes, unless using the joint petition | Same as standard, unless using the joint petition |
| Joint Petition (Form FL-700) | Both spouses agree and want to file together | $870 total | No — you file together | The date you file |
| Summary dissolution | Short marriages with limited property and debt (see the official qualifications) | Generally the standard filing fee | No | The date you file |
| Default | Your spouse won’t respond or participate | $435 (you, as the filer, only) | Yes | Service (there’s no response to wait for) |
Checklists
Print these, or keep them open on your phone. Each one is a starting point — your county court or Family Law Facilitator can tell you if your case needs anything extra.
Before You File
- Your marriage or domestic partnership certificate
- Your spouse’s full legal name and current address (needed for the Petition and for service)
- A rough list of what you own and owe — accounts, property, vehicles, debts
- If you have children: their names, dates of birth, and where they’ve lived for the last 5 years (needed for the UCCJEA form, FL-105)
- A decision on how you’re filing: see How Much Does Divorce Cost in California? and How to Get a Divorce Fee Waiver if cost is a factor
- The full step-by-step order: How to File for Divorce in California
Documents for Your Financial Disclosure (FL-150 and FL-142)
- Your last 2 months of pay stubs
- Your most recent tax return
- Recent statements for every bank, investment, and retirement account
- A list of your monthly expenses — rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, debt payments
- Documentation for anything you’re claiming as separate property — a gift letter, an inheritance record, proof of ownership before the marriage
See Form FL-150: When You Need It and How to Get It Right and Community Property Division in California Divorce for what these documents are used for.
What to Bring to a Self-Help Center Appointment
- A photo ID
- Your case number, if you’ve already filed
- Every form you’ve filled out so far, even in draft
- A written list of your questions — appointments are often short, and a list keeps you from forgetting something
- Any document you’re unsure about, rather than trying to describe it from memory
Quick Reference: Common Forms
Every form used across this site’s guides, in one table. Names and numbers checked against the official California Courts Self-Help site on September 21, 2026 — forms can be renumbered or replaced, so confirm you have the current version before filing.
| Form | Name | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| FL-100 | Petition — Marriage / Domestic Partnership | Opens the case |
| FL-105 | Declaration Under UCCJEA | Any case with children |
| FL-110 | Summons (Family Law) | Official notice; includes restraining orders |
| FL-115 | Proof of Service of Summons | Confirms your spouse was served |
| FL-117 | Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt | Cooperative service by mail |
| FL-120 | Response | Filed by the respondent |
| FL-140 | Declaration of Disclosure | Cover sheet for financial disclosure |
| FL-141 | Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure and Income and Expense Declaration | Confirms disclosures were served |
| FL-142 | Schedule of Assets and Debts | Full inventory of what you own and owe |
| FL-144 | Stipulation and Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure | Only if both spouses waive final disclosures in writing |
| FL-150 | Income and Expense Declaration | Required for support or fee requests |
| FL-160 | Property Declaration | Simpler alternative to FL-142 |
| FL-180 | Judgment | Ends the divorce |
| FL-190 | Notice of Entry of Judgment | Filed with the judgment paperwork |
| FL-195 | Income Withholding for Support | Wage assignment for support orders |
| FL-300 | Request for Order | Asks the court to set or change an order |
| FL-311 | Custody and Visitation Attachment | Specifies a requested custody schedule |
| FL-700 | Joint Petition | Both spouses file together (new for 2026) |
| FW-001 | Request to Waive Court Fees | Applies for a fee waiver |
| FW-003 | Order on Court Fee Waiver | The court’s granted/denied decision |
| FW-006 | Request for Hearing About Court Fee Waiver Order | Appeals a fee waiver denial |
Plain-English Glossary
Terms that come up across this site, defined simply. Each links to the article that covers it in depth.
- Community property — almost everything either spouse earns or acquires during the marriage, generally split equally. See Community Property Division.
- Separate property — property owned before marriage, or received as a gift or inheritance, which generally stays with the original owner. See Separate Property and Inheritance.
- Transmutation — a written, signed agreement to change property from separate to community, or the reverse. A verbal agreement doesn’t count.
- Commingling — mixing separate and community money together, sometimes to the point where they can no longer be told apart.
- In pro per — representing yourself in court, without a lawyer. See How to Get a Divorce in California Without a Lawyer.
- Petitioner / Respondent — the petitioner is the spouse who files first; the respondent is the other spouse.
- Service of process — formally delivering the divorce papers to your spouse. See How to Serve Divorce Papers.
- Default — what happens if the respondent doesn’t file a Response in time, letting the case proceed without their participation.
- Disclosure — the required exchange of financial information between spouses, using forms like FL-140, FL-142, and FL-150.
- QDRO — a separate court order needed to divide a 401(k) or pension. See QDRO and Retirement Division.
- Timeshare — the percentage of time a child spends with each parent, which feeds directly into the child support calculation.
- Joinder — formally adding a retirement plan as a party to the case, required before a QDRO can be enforced.
- Summary dissolution — a simplified, faster divorce process for couples who meet specific requirements on marriage length, property, and debt.
- Uncontested divorce — a divorce where both spouses agree on every issue. See Uncontested Divorce in California.
Where to Get Free Help
These are official, government-run resources. None of them charge for their services.
- California Courts “Find Your Court” directory — locate your county’s superior court and its family law division
- California Courts Self-Help Center — official step-by-step instructions, current forms, and general guidance for every stage of a divorce
- County Family Law Facilitators — every California county court has one; they review your forms for free, though they can’t advise you on what to ask for. Ask your local court’s family law page or self-help center how to reach them.
- County law libraries — free access to legal reference materials, and many offer volunteer attorney days
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information, not legal advice, and it doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific case, use your court’s free self-help center or consult a licensed California family law attorney.
Sources: California Courts Self-Help Center and the California Courts “Find Your Court” directory. Links checked September 21, 2026. Court services and contact information change — confirm current details with your county court.