California Specific

How Long Does Divorce Take in California?

California has a mandatory waiting period of 6 months. Uncontested divorces typically take 2–4 months after the waiting period. Contested cases can take 1–3+ years depending on the issues involved.

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Key Facts

Waiting period

6 months

Residency requirement

6 months state, 3 months county

Divorce type

No-Fault Only

Filing fee

$435–$450

The California Divorce Process

Meet residency requirements

You or your spouse must have lived in California for 6 months state, 3 months county before filing.

File the divorce petition

One spouse files the petition with the court and pays the filing fee ($435–$450). Fee waivers available for low income.

Serve your spouse

The other spouse must be formally served with divorce papers. They then have a set time (usually 20–30 days) to file a response.

Exchange financial disclosures

Both spouses must disclose all income, assets, and debts. This is mandatory and cannot be skipped.

Negotiate or litigate

If you agree on everything, submit a settlement. If not, try mediation first. If mediation fails, the case goes to trial.

Final judgment

Once all issues are resolved and the 6 months waiting period has passed, the judge signs the final judgment and your divorce is complete.

Tips to Speed Up Your California Divorce

✓Complete financial disclosures quickly and thoroughly — delays here waste the most time

✓Consider mediation before litigation — faster, cheaper, less adversarial

✓Agree on as much as possible before hiring attorneys

✓Be organized — gather financial documents yourself

✓Be realistic about what you want — fighting over small items costs more than they're worth

Every situation is different

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Legal Disclaimer: This article covers California divorce law for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always consult a licensed California family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.