Divorce & Separation
Overview
In California, you get a divorce by starting a court case. No one has to prove someone did something wrong to cause the divorce (this is called no fault divorce). You can get a divorce even if the other person doesn't want one.
You can divorce to end a marriage or domestic partnership. A legal separation has a similar process, you can use these instructions. You need different instructions for an annulment.
Make sure you can file in California
To file for divorce in California, either you or your spouse has to have lived in California for the past 6 months and in your current California county for the past 3 months.
Visit the California Courts Self-Help Guide to learn about divorce in California.
Related Information & Resources
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CA Self-Help Child Custody Mediation
California court's self-help information on child custody mediation.
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Child Custody and Visitation
California court's details on child custody and visitation.
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Property & Debt in a Divorce / Legal Separation
California court's information on property and debt in divorce/legal separation.
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Responding to Divorce or Separation
California court's details in responding to divorce or separation.