Divorce in California | California Courts | Self Help Guide So, what’s a divorce? Divorce is a legal way to end a marriage or domestic partnership After a divorce, you’re no longer married In your divorce case, the judge can make decisions about things like money, property, and children
The divorce process | California Courts | Self Help Guide There are 4 main steps in the process The steps are the same if you are married or in a domestic partnership Legal separation uses the same steps, but there is no 6-month waiting period Choose a step below to learn what to do and which forms you need
Divorce Forms | California Courts | Self Help Guide Before you start You can get a divorce without a lawyer This guide can help you with the process Your court's self-help center ↗️ staff can help you with forms and offer legal information If you have a lot of property or debt, you can hire a lawyer ↗️ to help with all or part of your case
What Is the Divorce Process? From Filing to Final Decree Learn what to expect during a divorce, from filing your petition to handling taxes and retirement accounts after the decree is signed Divorce follows a series of legal steps that start with one spouse filing a petition and end with a judge signing a decree that terminates the marriage