The Ins and Outs of Filing for Divorce in California Without a Lawyer
Do the costs of the divorce procedure, especially lawyer fees, seem scary? Did you know that you can diminish the final cost by getting divorced without a lawyer?
DoNotPay is here to show you how to do that! We’ll tell you all about filing for divorce in California without a lawyer and help you get a friendly and inexpensive dissolution.
Divorce Without a Lawyer in California
To terminate your marriage without hiring a lawyer in California, you will have to file for an uncontested divorce on no-fault grounds. Getting an uncontested divorce means that you and your spouse have reached an agreement on major issues and don’t need to go to court. Filing for this type of divorce requires you to state that there are:
- Irreconcilable differences between you and your spouse
- Permanent legal incapacities to make decisions on your spouse’s end
Not having to attend multiple court hearings or hire a lawyer to defend you makes an uncontested divorce the quickest and most affordable option.
Requirements for a Cheap Divorce in California
If you want to get a cheap, uncontested divorce in California, you will have to meet the following requirements:
- You or your spouse must have resided in the Golden State for at least six months before filing for divorce
- Both of you need to be willing to sign the necessary paperwork
- Both you and your spouse need to reach a compromise on divorce issues such as:
Can’t reach an agreement with your spouse? Try divorce mediation. A professional mediator will help you come up with solutions that will work for both you and your spouse. Going to mediation will help you get divorced quickly and without breaking the bank as it will save you from going to court and hiring lawyers over minor disagreements.
How To File for Divorce in California Without a Lawyer
To file for a divorce without a lawyer, you will need to complete the following steps:
| Step | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Complete the required paperwork |
Go to your county’s official court website or your local courthouse to find the necessary forms. Fill them out and then file them with the county clerk. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a filing fee. To help you get familiarized with laws in different counties, we’ve prepared articles for you about divorces in: |
| Serve the divorce papers |
After submitting the required paperwork, serve the copies of the divorce papers to your spouse. California State laws require that the divorce papers be delivered by a third party, such as a process server or a deputy |
| Get a divorce settlement agreement |
The settlement agreement needs to state the terms of your divorce. The document has to be fair to both parties and carefully drafted. You have multiple options of getting a divorce settlement agreement. You can:
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DoNotPay Helps You Get a Perfect Divorce Settlement Agreement
Don’t waste time writing a divorce settlement agreement on your own or spend unnecessary amounts of money hiring expensive lawyers to do it for you— instead! We’ll generate this crucial document for you quickly and make sure you get divorced on your and your spouses’ terms instead of letting a judge decide in your stead.
All you have to do is:
- Select the Divorce Settlement Agreement tool
- Answer our chatbot’s questions about your:
- Spouse
- Children (if any)
- Assets
- Income
- Choose whether you want to notarize your document online
Once you submit your request, we’ll process the details you give us and send a personalized divorce settlement agreement your way. Follow the link we send you via email to set up a session with an online notary.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Divorce in California Without a Lawyer?
With or without a lawyer, finalizing your divorce in California will take at least six months due to the state’s laws.
Can You Get a Cheap Divorce in California Online?
Numerous online agencies in California offer divorce services. While you can complete the majority of the process online, filing the paperwork must be done in person.
DoNotPay Answers Your California Divorce Questions
Are some divorce intricacies still causing you a headache? Check out DoNotPay’s invaluable guides and learn all about terminating matrimony:
| How-To Guides | General Articles |
|---|---|
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