
Step 2: Mandatory Financial Disclosures
California requires that you complete and serve documents notifying your spouse of all income, property...
But don’t worry, we’ve broken it down into 3 easy steps. It does involve a good amount of work, but we’ve gathered all the information you need for a smart, hassle-free divorce. We’re here to support and guide you through the process. Stay the course…
Every Divorce (or Domestic Partnership Dissolution) starts with the Petition. If you file first, you’re the Petitioner. Your spouse is the Respondent. There is generally no legal advantage to being the Petitioner vs. the Respondent.
The Forms:
Quick Tip: Every time you file a document, you need an original and two copies.
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Or, if your spouse has filed the Petition, file your Response.
You do not have to file a Response, however, it’s often a good idea to (especially if you think your divorce will be contested).
The Forms:
A Summons is filed with the Petition that has some basic restraining orders that apply to both parties. Among other things, both parties are ordered by the court not to:
Divorces take at least 6 months and 1 day after the Petition is served (that’s just the way it is). If that feels like too long to go without help from the court, you don’t have to wait until your divorce is final.
At anytime during your divorce, you can request orders from the court to assist with:
The (Usual) Forms:
Quick Tip: Usually it takes 4-8 weeks to obtain a court date. If you have “exigent circumstances” (such as your spouse won’t allow you to see your kids or you don’t have enough money to pay for basic necessities such as food or rent), you should consider filing an additional document with your RFO. This process is called an “Ex Parte” and/or a Request for an “Order Shortening Time.”
Quick Tip: If you and your spouse can come to an agreement before the actual hearing, you can prepare, sign and file a Stipulation and Order (and avoid steps 4-6 above). Use our template or hire us to prepare and file the docs for you.
Depending on how complex or contested your case is, there are other court hearings that might take place in this step. Learn more about these types of court hearings.
Need help strategizing your request for orders? Schedule a legal coaching session.
We also have lots of DIY videos and templates to help you file your documents and prepare for a court hearing.
You are required to exchange court forms that disclose complete information about your income (from all sources), expenses, property and debts with your spouse. Even if you already have a full agreement with your spouse (good for you!), you still must exchange these documents.
We’ve got loads of resources to help you with this. We recommend that you start with these to get a sense for what they are and what documents you’ll need to gather to complete them:
All the info you need for your financial disclosures
The Forms:
Quick Tip: The fancy (legal) word for disclosures is “Preliminary (or Final) Declaration of Disclosure” or PDDs. Disclosures and discovery responses become both negotiation and (if necessary) trial tools.
Quick Tip: If you or your spouse did not file a Response back in Step 1, the person who did not respond does not have to prepare disclosures.
Premium members have unlimited access to our form generating software. Already a member? Login here.
Schedule a FREE 15 minute strategy session, sign up for a free Starter membership, or learn more about our membership options.
We will prepare, review, and/or file your documents for you with DIY Pro, Divorce Plus or Divorce with Benefits.
Or, if you prefer, we’ve got a la carte services:
There are different ways the two of you can come to an agreement.
Basic Forms:
If there is one part of your divorce to focus on, this is it. No part of your divorce will matter more. Having the best of intentions without educating yourself on your rights is doing yourself a huge disservice. The terms in your divorce judgment can have a profound impact on your future, and if you are anything like us — you want to move past this point in your life with a fresh, strong start — transition to a new, healthier, mindful space.
Consult our resource library to help you strategize your position and negotiate with your spouse.
Premium members have unlimited access to our Divorce Navigator, form generating software, instructional videos, and DIY templates. Already a member? Login here.
Schedule a FREE 15 minute strategy session, sign up for a free Starter membership, or learn more about our membership options.
We will prepare, review, and/or file your documents for you with DIY Pro, Divorce Plus or Divorce with Benefits.
Have we mentioned that it’s a REALLY good idea to have us review your Judgment before you submit?
Your divorce will be complete after your Judgment is filed – but there’s still a few steps you should take to ensure that you and your family are financially protected.
But assuming your divorce is amicable (or heading in that direction), you can do this without full representation by a lawyer. Just remember, this is a process that you can’t avoid – but that doesn’t mean you need to struggle with it alone or spend $26,200 (the average cost of divorce per person in California).
Take this one step at a time – we’ve guided & coached 1000s of people through the process before you – we like helping (and we’re good at it).
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