California Divorce Information
and FAQ
At least one of the parties to the dissolution action in California
must have been a resident of the state for at least six months prior to
the filing of the action and a resident of the county in which the action
is filed for at least three months prior to the action being filed. ACC
2320
Grounds A divorce in the State of California is called a dissolution of
marriage. California law allows for dissolution of marriage on grounds of
irreconcilable differences, and incurable insanity. Irreconcilable
differences are statutorily defined as those differences determined by the
court to be substantial reasons for not continuing the marriage and which
make it appear that the marriage should be dissolved. For a decree of
dissolution of marriage to be granted based upon incurable insanity, proof
must be presented to the court that at the time the petition was filed,
the insane spouse was, and still is, incurably insane. ACC 2310
Name of court and title of action/parties An action for dissolution of
marriage in the State of California is filed in Superior Court. The title
of the action initiating the dissolution is a Petition for Dissolution of
Marriage, while the title of the action granting the dissolution is
referred to as a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. The party who
initiates the proceeding is called the Petitioner, while the other party
is referred to as the Responent. ACC 2330 Waiting Period No judgement of
divorce is final until six months have elapsed from the date the the
respondent was served with a copy of the summons and petition or the date
of appearance of the respondent, whichever comes first. ACC 2339
Reconcilliation Continuance If upon filing of the divorce action it
appears that there is a reasonable chance that the parties may reconcile,
the court shall order a continuance of the proceeding for a period not to
exceed thirty days. ACC 2334
Summary Dissolution of Marriage A summary dissolution of marriage
proceeding is begun by the filing of a joint petition signed by both the
husband and wife stating that all of the requirements for summary
dissolution have been met, providing the mailing address of both husband
and wife, and a statement of whether or not the wife desires to have her
former name restored. To qualify for a summary dissolution, all of the
following conditions must exist at the time of filing:
1. At least one of the parties to the action must have been a resident
of the state for six months prior to filing for divorce, and a resident of
the county in which the action is filed for three months prior to the
filing of divorce.
2. Irreconcilable differences have cause an irremedial breakdown of the
marriage and the marriage should be dissolved.
3. The parties to the action have no children born prior to or during
the marriage, have not adopted any children during the marriage, and the
wife, to her knowledge, is not pregnant.
4. At the time the petition is filed, the marriage is not more than
five years in duration.
5. Neither party has any interest in any real property, wherever
situated, with the exception of a lease of residence, which must terminate
within one year of the date of filing of the petition and must not include
an option to purchase.
6. There may not be more than four thousand dollars ($4,000) in upaid
obligations incurred by either or both spouses after the date of marriage,
excluding amounts owed for automobiles.
7. (a) The total fair market value of the community property assets is
less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), excluding all
encumbrances and automobiles and including any deferred
compensation/retirement plans, and;
(b) Neither party has separate property assets in excess of twenty-five
thousand dollars ($25,000), excluding all encumbrances and automobiles.
8. The parties have executed an agreement setting forth the division of
assets and liabilities and have executed all documents necessary to
effectuate the agreement.
9. The parties waive any right to spousal support.
10. The parties, upon entry of judgment of divorce, irrevocably waive
their rights to appeal and for a new trial.
11. The parties have read and understand the summary dissolution of
marriage brochure provided by the county clerk.
12. The parties desire that the court dissolve their marriage. ACC 2400
Legal separation A judgment of legal separation may be obtained in the
State of California on the same grounds as those permitted for an action
of dissolution of marriage. ACC 2310 Alimony The courts in the State of
California may award support to either spouse, without regard to marital
misconduct. The goal in awarding spousal support is to help the spouse
receiving alimony to become self-supporting within a reasonable time.
Generally, the courts consider one-half the length of the marriage to be a
reasonable time for a spouse to become self-supporting.
Factors the court will consider in determining the length and amount of
an award of spousal support include:
1. The marketable skills of the supported spouse; 2. The extent to
which the supported spouse's present or future earning capacity has been
impaired due to duties of the marriage; 3. The extent that the supported
spouse contributed to the earning capacity of the supporting spouse; 4.
The ability of the supporting spouse to pay; 5. The needs of each party;
6. The obligations and assets of each party; 7. The duration of the
marriage; 8. The age and health of the parties; 9. Any other factors the
court deems are equitable and just. ACC 4320
Distribution of property The courts in California will divide the
community property of the parties equally after setting aside to each
spouse that spouse's separate property. Community property is presumed to
be all property aquired by the parties during the marriage and held in
joint form. This presumption may be rebutted by a clear statement in the
title by which property is acquired that the property is separate and not
community property or by proof that the parties have a written agreement
that the property is separate property. ACC 2550 Child custody The court
will determine the issue of custody based upon the best interests of the
child. In determining the best interests of the child, the courts will
consider the following:
1. The health, safety and welfare of the child; 2. Any history of abuse
by a parent; 3. The nature and amount of contact by both parents; 4. Any
history of substance abuse; 5. The wishes of the child.
There is a presumption that joint custody is in the best interests of
the child. If the court awards joint custody, the court shall specify the
rights of each parent to physical control of the child. The court shall
grant reasonable visitation to the non-custodial parent unless it can be
shown that such visitation is not in the child's best interest. Each
parent shall also have equal access to records of the child, including,
but not limited to, medical, dental, and schooling. ACC 3011
Mediation If it appears on the face of the petition that custody is a
contested issue, the court shall order mediation to assist the parties in
settlement of those contested issues, and to assist in the development of
an agreement that assures the child of close and continuing contact with
each parent. ACC 3170 Child support Either or both parties may be ordered
to pay an amount reasonable and necessary for the support of any minor
children of the marriage. The State of California has enacted child
support guidelines which establish the presumptive correct amount of child
support due. Deviation from the guidelines requires the court to state in
writing why the application of the guidelines would be unreasonable or
unjust, and:
1. The amount of support that would have been ordered under the
guidelines; 2. The reasons for the deviation; 3. The reasons the support
ordered is in the bests interests of the child. ACC 4056
Name change Upon request in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage,
the court may restore a party to their former or birth name. ACC 2080
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