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How to file for divorce in Los Angeles County (2026 guide)
Filing for divorce in Los Angeles County follows a seven-step process. In 2026, couples who agree on all terms can skip the formal service requirement entirely by filing a Joint Petition (Form FL-700) under SB 1427, the most significant change to California divorce procedure in decades. The standard filing fee is $435, and the mandatory waiting period is six months from the date of filing.
Quick answer
To file for divorce in Los Angeles County, you or your spouse must have lived in California for six months and in the county for three months. In 2026, you can file a Joint Petition (Form FL-700) under SB 1427 if you both agree on all terms, eliminating formal service entirely. The standard filing fee is $435. After filing, a mandatory six-month waiting period applies before your divorce can be finalized.
Step 1: Confirm residency requirements
Before filing, at least one spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Los Angeles County specifically for three months. This is a firm threshold, not a suggestion. If you haven't met the county residency requirement yet, you can still prepare your documents, but you'll need to wait until the three-month mark before filing.
There's one exception worth knowing: same-sex couples who married in California but now live in a jurisdiction that doesn't recognize same-sex marriage may file in California regardless of current residency. If child custody is part of your case, California must also be the children's home state, meaning they've lived here for the six months immediately before you file.
Step 2: Choose your filing path — traditional or joint petition
This is the most important decision you'll make at the start of your divorce. California now offers two paths, and the right one depends on whether you and your spouse can agree on all key issues.
| Factor | Traditional Petition (FL-100) | Joint Petition — SB 1427 (FL-700) |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | $435 petitioner + $435 respondent | $870 total (one shared filing) |
| Formal service required | Yes — third party must serve respondent | No — filing counts as service for both |
| Marriage length limit | None | None |
| Children allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Temporary court orders | Available | Not available |
| Best for | Cases where spouses disagree, or one is uncooperative | Couples who agree on all terms and want to resolve cooperatively |
The 2026 joint petition: what SB 1427 means for you
Effective January 1, 2026, Senate Bill 1427 created a new filing path for California couples. Both spouses sign and file Form FL-700 together, and the act of filing is legally treated as service on both parties. There's no Petitioner and Respondent. You're equals from the first document. The Los Angeles Superior Court was among the first in the state to announce support for this process, including Self-Help Center resources and online video workshops to guide self-represented filers.
One important limit: you cannot request temporary court orders through the joint petition process. If you need emergency orders regarding children, support, or property, the traditional petition remains the right path. Either party can also convert the case back to a traditional petition at any time by filing a Notice of Revocation (Form FL-720).
Los Angeles County also requires all new family law filers to submit a local form alongside statewide forms: the Family Law Case Cover Sheet and Certificate of Grounds for Assignment to District (FAM-020). This form is not required in other California counties. It identifies your case type and determines which district courthouse handles your matter based on your zip code.
Step 3: Complete financial disclosures
Regardless of which filing path you choose, California requires both spouses to exchange financial disclosures. This cannot be waived. The Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure (FL-140 series) must be served on your spouse within 60 days of filing. It includes a list of all assets and debts (Schedule of Assets and Debts, FL-142) and an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150).
What counts as a financial disclosure?
You'll disclose income from all sources, bank and retirement account balances, real property interests, debts and liabilities, business interests, and any separate property claims. The goal is full transparency so that any agreement you reach on property division or support is based on accurate information. Hiding assets is a serious legal problem that can unravel a settlement and result in sanctions from the court.
Community property in Los Angeles
California is a community property state, which means most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are owned 50/50 regardless of whose name is on the account. Los Angeles is one of the highest-cost real estate markets in the country, which can make property division especially complex. If you own a home, you'll need to address it in your disclosures and your settlement agreement. Hello Divorce's California community property guide explains in plain language what's subject to division and what isn't.
Step 4: File at the correct Los Angeles courthouse
Unlike most large counties where you can choose any branch, Los Angeles assigns your courthouse based on your zip code. You must use the Los Angeles Superior Court's Filing Locator tool and enter the petitioner's zip code to find the correct family law courthouse for your case. Filing at the wrong courthouse will delay your case.
Los Angeles local form requirement
Every new family law case in Los Angeles County requires a Family Law Case Cover Sheet (FAM-020) along with the statewide petition. This form is unique to LA County and is not part of the standard California Judicial Council form set. Without it, the clerk will not accept your filing.
Los Angeles Superior Court also now requires all family law filings to be submitted electronically through an approved electronic filing service provider (EFSP). Self-represented parties can find approved providers on the court's website and may also file in person at the appropriate courthouse. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can apply for a waiver using Form FW-001.
Hello Divorce prepares all forms required for Los Angeles County, including FAM-020 and the complete FL-700 joint petition package, so you're not left guessing what to bring. See how much a California divorce costs to understand the full picture of expenses before you file.
Step 5: Serve your spouse — or skip this step entirely
If you filed a joint petition under SB 1427, you can skip this step. Service is not required because both spouses signed the petition together. The six-month waiting period begins from the date of filing.
If you filed a traditional petition, you must have the Summons and Petition personally served on your spouse by a third party. You cannot serve the documents yourself. Options include a professional process server ($25 to $100 per attempt), the county sheriff's department, or any adult over 18 who is not a party to the case. After service, that person must complete a Proof of Service of Summons (FL-115), which you then file with the court.
Your spouse then has 30 days to file a Response (FL-120). If they don't respond, you can proceed with a default judgment. The six-month waiting period in a traditional case begins from the date your spouse is served, not the date you filed.
Step 6: Wait the mandatory six-month period
California law requires a minimum six-month waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. This period cannot be waived by agreement, by a judge, or by any other means. It exists as a cooling-off provision built into state law.
The waiting period does not mean your divorce automatically finalizes at six months. It means the court cannot issue a judgment before six months and one day have elapsed. In practice, Los Angeles County's caseload often means the process takes longer. Using Hello Divorce to prepare accurate, complete paperwork from the start reduces the risk of delays caused by form errors or missing documents.
Step 7: Finalize your judgment
Once both parties have completed financial disclosures and reached agreement on all issues, you submit your Marital Settlement Agreement and Judgment to the court for approval. The judge reviews the paperwork to confirm everything is complete and consistent. When approved, the court issues a Notice of Entry of Judgment, which is the document confirming you are legally divorced.
If custody and child support are part of your case, Los Angeles County requires parents with a custody or visitation dispute to participate in mediation through Family Court Services before any contested hearing. This mediation is free and confidential. It does not apply if you've already reached a parenting agreement. For divorces involving significant assets, business interests, or retirement accounts, you may also need additional steps such as a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) to divide a 401(k) or pension. Hello Divorce's California property division guide covers these scenarios in detail.
Required forms checklist for Los Angeles County
The forms you need depend on your path. Here's what to gather before you file.
Traditional petition forms
- FAM-020 — Family Law Case Cover Sheet (LA County required)
- FL-100 — Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- FL-110 — Summons
- FL-105 — Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction (if children)
- FL-140 — Declaration of Disclosure
- FL-142 — Schedule of Assets and Debts
- FL-150 — Income and Expense Declaration
- FL-115 — Proof of Service of Summons (after service)
- FW-001 — Request to Waive Court Fees (if applicable)
Joint petition forms (SB 1427)
- FAM-020 — Family Law Case Cover Sheet (LA County required)
- FL-700 — Joint Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- FL-710 — Summons (Joint Petition version)
- FL-105 — Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction (if children)
- FL-140 — Declaration of Disclosure (exchanged, not filed)
- FL-142 — Schedule of Assets and Debts
- FL-150 — Income and Expense Declaration
- FL-700-INFO — Information Sheet for Joint Petition (optional but helpful)
Hello Divorce prepares every form on this list, customized for your situation and ready to file with the Los Angeles Superior Court. For a complete overview of the divorce process from start to finish, see our California divorce process guide.
Ready to file in Los Angeles County?
Hello Divorce prepares every form you need, including the LA-specific FAM-020, in a flat-rate online plan. No retainer. No guesswork.
Schedule your free 15-minute callFrequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a divorce in Los Angeles County?
The minimum time is six months and one day from the date of filing (joint petition) or service (traditional petition). That's a legal floor set by California law, not a realistic average. Most uncontested divorces in Los Angeles take eight to twelve months once you account for document preparation, courthouse processing times, and the mandatory waiting period. Contested cases that proceed to trial can take two years or more.
Can I file for divorce online in Los Angeles County?
Yes. Los Angeles Superior Court requires most family law filings to be submitted electronically through an approved e-filing service provider. Hello Divorce handles all form preparation and guides you through the e-filing process so you don't have to navigate the court's system on your own. You can also file in person at the appropriate courthouse branch for your zip code.
What is the FAM-020 form and why does LA County require it?
FAM-020 is the Family Law Case Cover Sheet and Certificate of Grounds for Assignment to District. It's a Los Angeles County-specific form required with every new family law filing. Its purpose is to identify your case type and assign it to the correct district courthouse based on your zip code. No other California county requires this form. If you omit it, the clerk will return your filing unprocessed.
Does the six-month waiting period start when I file or when my spouse is served?
It depends on which path you chose. Under a traditional petition, the six-month clock starts when your spouse is formally served, not when you file. Under the 2026 joint petition process (SB 1427, Form FL-700), both spouses are considered served at the time of filing, so the six-month period begins on the filing date. This is one of the practical advantages of the joint petition for couples who agree on all terms.
Do I have to go to court to get divorced in Los Angeles?
In most uncontested cases, no. If both parties agree on all issues and the paperwork is complete and accurate, a judge typically reviews and approves the judgment without requiring either spouse to appear in person. A court appearance is generally required only if there's a dispute the judge needs to resolve, such as a custody hearing or a contested property issue. Your case assignment notice will tell you which judge and department are handling your matter.
Los Angeles County court resources
These official resources can help you locate the right courthouse, find your forms, and access free legal help in Los Angeles County.
- Los Angeles Superior Court — Family Law Division
- Los Angeles Superior Court — Self-Help Center
- Los Angeles Superior Court — Filing Fee Information
- Los Angeles Family Court Services — Custody Mediation (free)
- California Courts Self-Help — Joint Petition Process (SB 1427)
- California Courts Self-Help: Divorce (statewide)
References & further reading
Sources cited in this article and recommended for further reading.
- 1. California Courts Self-Help. "Joint petition for divorce or legal separation" — Official guide to the SB 1427 joint petition process, including forms, steps, and eligibility. California Courts, January 2026. Accessed March 2026.
- 2. Superior Court of Los Angeles County. "New Joint Petition for Dissolution" (Press Release) — Official announcement from LA Superior Court of the SB 1427 implementation, including Self-Help Center resources. Los Angeles Superior Court, December 2025. Accessed March 2026.
- 3. Judicial Council of California. "SB 1427 — Rules and Forms Proposal" (SPR25-21) — Judicial Council proposal detailing the FL-700 series forms and procedural rules for the joint petition process. Judicial Council of California, 2025. Accessed March 2026.
- 4. Hello Divorce. "How much does a divorce cost in California?" — Breakdown of filing fees, attorney costs, and total divorce costs by case type. hellodivorce.com. Accessed March 2026.
- 5. Hello Divorce. "Community property in California" — Plain-language guide to what qualifies as community property, how it's divided, and what stays separate. hellodivorce.com. Accessed March 2026.