Divorce Checklist Generator

Personalized divorce checklist for California

State: California

Children: Yes

Joint Property: Yes

1 Initial Steps and Filing Requirements

Complete and file Form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage) with the California Superior Court Pay filing fee ($435 in California) or file fee waiver form (FW-001) if eligible Serve spouse with divorce papers within 60 days of filing Wait for 6-month cooling-off period mandated by California law

2 Required Documents and Forms

Form FL-110 (Summons for family law case) Form FL-160 (Property Declaration) - required for joint property cases Form FL-142 (Schedule of Assets and Debts) Marriage certificate (certified copy)

3 Financial Documentation

Last 3 years of tax returns for both parties Bank statements for all accounts (last 12 months) Investment and retirement account statements Pay stubs and employment records

4 Child-Related Requirements

Complete Form FL-105/GC-120 (Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act) Develop parenting plan addressing custody and visitation schedule Calculate child support using California guideline calculator Attend mandatory parenting class (4-hour minimum in California)

5 Property Division Steps

Obtain professional appraisal for real estate properties Value all community property assets (acquired during marriage) Separate community property from separate property Negotiate or litigate property division (50/50 split in California)

6 Timeline and Deadlines

Day 1 File initial petition

30 days Spouse must respond to petition

6 months Earliest date divorce can be finalized in California

12-18 months Typical timeline for contested divorces

7 Court Procedures

Attend mandatory settlement conference if contested Prepare for trial if settlement not reached Submit final judgment documents (Form FL-180) Obtain certified copies of final decree

Important Notice

This is a general guide based on typical requirements. Divorce laws vary significantly by state and individual circumstances. It is strongly recommended to consult with a qualified family law attorney in your state for personalized legal advice and to ensure all requirements are met properly.