How to File Divorce Papers in California
A Guide to Filing Forms FL-100, FL-110, and FL-105
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Service of Process
Understand service of process in California family law cases, including how to serve opening divorce papers, Requests for Order, DVRO papers, and post-judgment motions.
Open pageAutomatic Temporary Restraining Orders
Learn how Automatic Temporary Restraining Orders (ATROs) work in a California divorce, when they start, what they restrict, and the main exceptions.
Open pageEntering Default
Learn how entry of default works in a California divorce, including the 30-day response deadline, form FL-165, true default, and default with agreement.
Open pageHow Long Does Divorce Take?
Understand California's six-month-and-one-day minimum waiting period and why many divorces take longer to finalize.
Open pageContested vs. Uncontested
Learn the difference between contested and uncontested divorce in California and how those paths affect court involvement and timeline.
Open pageChild Custody California
A guide to legal custody, physical custody, visitation, best-interest standards, and modification of child custody orders in California.
Open pageHouse Title and Property Division
Learn how deed title affects property characterization in California divorce, including Family Code sections 2581, 760, 852, and 721.
Open pageChild Support California
A practical guide to California child support, including the statewide guideline formula, add-on expenses, modification rules, and when support ends.
Open pageCan Child Support be Waived?
Learn whether child support can be waived in California, when parents can agree to a zero-dollar order, and why court approval is still required.
Open pageSmith/Ostler Support
A practical guide to Smith/Ostler support orders in California for bonus income, commissions, and other variable compensation in child and spousal support cases.
Open pageHow Spousal Support Is Calculated
Learn how California calculates temporary and long-term spousal support, including software-based temporary estimates and the section 4320 factors for long-term support.
Open pageSpousal Support California
A practical guide to temporary and long-term spousal support in California, including section 4320 factors, duration, modification, and when support ends.
Open pageHow Long Spousal Support Lasts
Learn how long spousal support can last in California, including temporary support, the half-length guideline, long-duration marriages, Gavron warnings, and step-down orders.
Open pageWaiving Spousal Support
Learn how spousal support waivers work in California divorce cases, how waiver differs from reserving jurisdiction, and the rules for premarital support waivers.
Open pageCalifornia Divorce Steps
A plain-language overview of the California dissolution process, key forms, waiting period rules, and how cases reach final judgment.
Open pageUncontested Divorce California
Learn what uncontested divorce means in California, common judgment paths, and why drafting precision matters when spouses already agree.
Open pageSummary Dissolution California
A high-level explanation of summary dissolution in California, who may qualify, and why eligibility should be checked carefully.
Open pageDivorce With Children California
Understand custody, visitation, and child support terms in California uncontested divorce cases where parents already have an agreement.
Open pageDividing Retirement Accounts
General information on dividing retirement accounts in California divorce, including QDROs and why retirement division orders often require specialist drafting.
Open pageProperty Division in California Divorce
General information on how California divorce law treats community property, separate property, valuation, reimbursement claims, and related tax issues.
Open pageDivision of Debts in a California Divorce
General information on how California divorce law treats community debt, separate debt, post-separation obligations, and debt allocation in an overall equal division.
Open pageDividing a House in a California Divorce
General information on how California divorce law handles a house, including community and separate interests, buyouts, deferred sale, and Moore/Marsden analysis.
Open pageCommunity Property Basics
A practical overview of community vs separate property concepts and how agreement-based judgments handle asset and debt division in California.
Open pageFiling by County California
Understand county-level filing differences in California divorce cases and why statewide forms still need county-aware preparation.
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