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Type of Divorce

The official word for divorce in California is dissolution. There are two ways of getting a divorce, or dissolution, in California. The usual way is called a Regular Dissolution. A shorter and easier way is called Summary Dissolution. The new method is shorter and easier. But not everybody can use it.

Briefly, a Summary Dissolution is possible for couples

  1. who have no children together,
  2. who have been married for only a short time,
  3. who don't own very much,
  4. who don't owe very much, and
  5. who have no disagreements about how their belongings and their debts are going to be divided up once they are no longer married to each other.

With this procedure you won't have to appear in court. The procedure is carried out by preparing and filing a Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution (form FL-800), together with a Property Settlement Agreement, with the County Clerk in your county. After a six-month waiting period - during which either of you can stop the process if you change your mind - you apply for and receive a final divorce.

With a Regular Dissolution, a court hearing or trial is held. If either spouse is unhappy with the judge's final decision, it is possible to challenge that decision. This can be done, for example, by asking for a new trial. It is also possible to appeal the decision by taking the case to a higher court.

Which Document Do You Want to Start First?



We recommend that all divorcing couples use a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA). If you plan to purchase both a divorce and a marital settlement agreement we recommend that you start with the marital settlement agreement. Read more...

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Need it fast? Choose our expedited delivery option ($39.95) with the purchase of Paralegal-Prepared Documents and get your documents in 1 business day (e-mail delivery only). Normal turnaround is 3 business days for MSA and 4 business days for divorce and divorce/MSA combos.

Legal Forms

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California Divorce $39.00
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California Divorce $199.00
CA MSA $99.00
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