The California Quickie Divorce: Do You Qualify?

Did you know there is a quick and easy way to file for divorce in California?  It’s called Summary Dissolution. If you meet the criteria, you can file your case with a minimum of paperwork without going to court.

Most Californians filing for divorce (officially Dissolution of Marriage) must file what is called a Regular Dissolution. If you and your spouse meet all the following criteria, this easier option may work for you.

DO YOU MEET THE CRITERIA?

• You have been married for less than 5 years
• Either of you has lived in California for the last 6 months
• Either of you has lived in the county where you are filing for the last 3 months
• You don’t have any children together born or adopted before or during the marriage and you are not pregnant now
• You don’t own any part of land or buildings
• You don’t rent any land or buildings (Exception:  where you now live, only if you do not have a 1-year lease or option to buy)
• You don’t owe more than $6,000 for debts acquired since the date you got married
• You don’t have less than $41,000 worth of property acquired during the marriage
• You don’t have separate property worth more than $41,000
• You agree that neither spouse will ever get spousal support
• You have signed an agreement that divides your property (including your cars) and debts. 

You may file for Summary Dissolution with or without an attorney.  Many people who choose to file without an attorney seek the help of a paralegal or legal document assistant (LDA) to ensure their forms are completed correctly.  See our related article, 5 Simple Steps to Hiring the Perfect Paralegal to help you find the right paralegal or LDA for you. 

Although Paralegals and LDAs are experts at preparing and filing court documents, they cannot give you legal advice.  You may want to consult an attorney with any questions before filing. For tips on saving money when filing for divorce, check out our related article Divorce on a Budget.

To learn more about filing for Summary Dissolution visit the court's website Orange County Family Law Court or contact our office to speak to one of our paralegals.

by Cherryl Rudy, AVBA at Attorneys Best Choice Document Services, LDA#459