Is Summary Dissolution the Same as Divorce?
Quick answer
Summary dissolution is a simplified divorce process for short marriages with no children and limited assets. Standard divorce is open to anyone in California regardless of circumstances. As of January 1, 2026, a third option exists: the FL-700 joint petition under SB 1427, which lets any couple file cooperatively without restrictions on marriage length, children, or property, as long as both spouses agree on all terms.
If you're trying to figure out how to end your marriage in California, you've probably noticed that the words "divorce" and "dissolution" get used interchangeably. That's because they mean the same thing here. What isn't interchangeable is how you get there. California offers three legally distinct paths, and the differences between them matter a great deal for your timeline, paperwork load, and out-of-pocket costs.
This page breaks them all down side by side so you can figure out which process you actually qualify for, and which one makes the most sense given your situation.
The one thing all three paths share
Whether you pursue a summary dissolution, an FL-700 joint petition, or a standard divorce, the legal outcome is identical: your marriage ends. You are legally single. You can remarry if you want to. All three routes result in a judgment of dissolution signed by a California court, and all three carry the same legal weight.
The differences are entirely about the process: who files, what forms you use, what you have to disclose, and how much court involvement is required along the way.
California also has a mandatory six-month waiting period from the time your case is filed before a divorce can be finalized. That period cannot be waived, and it applies to all three paths equally.
Side-by-side comparison: all three options
Use this table to quickly see where each path differs on the factors that matter most.
| Factor | Summary dissolution | FL-700 joint petition (SB 1427, 2026) | Standard divorce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open to anyone in CA? | No — strict limits | Yes — any couple who agrees | Yes — no eligibility limit |
| Marriage length limit | Under 5 years | None | None |
| Children allowed? | No minor children | Yes | Yes |
| Real property allowed? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Community property cap | Under $53,000 | None | None |
| Debt cap | Under $7,000 (excl. vehicle loans) | None | None |
| Spousal support available? | No — both must waive it | Yes, by agreement | Yes — court can order it |
| Both spouses must agree? | Yes | Yes — on all terms | No — one spouse can file alone |
| Formal service required? | No | No — joint filing acts as service | Yes — respondent must be served |
| Temporary court orders available? | No | No | Yes |
| Primary forms | FL-800, FL-825, FL-810, FL-150 | FL-700, FL-700-INFO, FL-105 (if children) | FL-100, FL-110, FL-115, FL-150, FL-160 |
| Typical filing fee | ~$435 per couple | ~$435–$450 per couple | ~$435–$450 per person (up to ~$900 combined) |
| Minimum timeline to finalize | 6 months from filing | 6 months from filing | 6 months minimum; often 12–18+ months |
Summary dissolution: who qualifies and how it works
Summary dissolution was designed for couples with very little to untangle. You and your spouse skip the back-and-forth filing process and submit everything jointly from the start. There's no trial, no hearing, and no judge weighing in on your settlement. You handle it yourselves, with a small packet of standardized forms.
The tradeoff is a strict set of eligibility requirements. You must meet all of the following:
- You have been married fewer than five years (measured from the wedding date to the date of separation).
- You have no children together, whether born, adopted, or expected.
- Neither of you owns or co-owns any real estate (including mortgaged property).
- Community property acquired during the marriage is worth less than $53,000 (as of 2024; this threshold is periodically adjusted by the Judicial Council).
- Community debts, excluding vehicle loans, total less than $7,000.
- Neither spouse has separate property worth more than $53,000.
- Both of you agree that neither will ever receive spousal support.
- You have already signed a written agreement dividing your property and debts.
- At least one of you has lived in California for six months and in the filing county for three months.
If you meet every one of those criteria, summary dissolution is genuinely the simplest and most affordable route. Hello Divorce can prepare, process, and file all of your summary dissolution paperwork for a flat fee. Learn more about summary dissolution with Hello Divorce.
One important caution
Summary dissolutions generally cannot be appealed after the fact. Before filing, make sure you understand what you are agreeing to, particularly around property division. If anything feels unclear, schedule a free 15-minute call with our team first.
One more thing that surprises people: summary dissolution isn't always faster than a standard divorce in practice. Both paths are subject to the same six-month waiting period. What summary dissolution actually saves you is paperwork volume and procedural steps, not calendar time.
FL-700 joint petition (SB 1427): the 2026 cooperative option
Before 2026, couples who wanted to file jointly had only one option: summary dissolution, with all its restrictions. That changed on January 1, 2026, when Senate Bill 1427 introduced Form FL-700, the Joint Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
The FL-700 joint petition works on a simple premise: both spouses sign and file a single petition together as "Petitioner 1" and "Petitioner 2." Because both parties are on the document, no formal service of process is needed. The filing itself acts as service on both sides, and the six-month clock starts the day you file.
Who qualifies for the FL-700?
Almost any married couple in California qualifies, as long as both spouses genuinely agree on all terms of the divorce. There are no restrictions on the length of the marriage, the number of children, the value of shared assets, or the complexity of your finances. This makes the FL-700 joint petition a strong option for couples with children, long marriages, real estate, retirement accounts, and situations that would disqualify them from summary dissolution.
What to know before you use it
- Full financial disclosure is still required. The FL-700 does not skip the financial disclosure process. Both spouses must still exchange a complete Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure, just as they would in a standard divorce.
- You cannot get temporary court orders through this process. If either spouse needs a temporary custody order, restraining order, or support order while the case is pending, the FL-700 route is not available. You would need to use the standard divorce process instead.
- Either spouse can revoke at any time. If the agreement falls apart, either party can file a Notice of Revocation (Form FL-720). The case then converts to a standard divorce, but the original filing date is preserved.
- The filing fee is lower than a standard divorce. You file one joint petition as a couple, paying roughly $435 to $450 total rather than separate filing fees per spouse.
If you're married with children, own a home together, or have been married for more than five years, the FL-700 joint petition is likely a better fit than summary dissolution. And if you and your spouse are on good terms and can agree on everything in advance, it's a more cooperative starting point than a traditional contested filing. Hello Divorce can guide you through all available California divorce options and help you choose the right path.
Not sure which option you qualify for?
Talk to a Hello Divorce account coordinator. It's free and takes 15 minutes.
Standard divorce: the default path for everyone else
Standard divorce in California, filed using Form FL-100, is the baseline process available to every California resident. There are no eligibility filters based on marriage length, assets, children, or anything else. If you live in California, you can file.
The process does require one spouse to file as Petitioner and the other to be formally served as Respondent. After service, the Respondent has 30 days to file a Response. From there, both parties go through financial disclosures, and if they agree on all terms, they can submit a marital settlement agreement for a judge to review and sign off on. If they don't agree, the case goes to trial where a judge decides.
When standard divorce is the right call
- You and your spouse cannot agree on one or more major issues (custody, property, support).
- You need a temporary court order for child custody, support, or a restraining order while the case is pending.
- One spouse does not want to participate or cannot be found.
- You have complex assets (business ownership, retirement accounts, real estate) that require court oversight or expert valuation.
- You don't qualify for summary dissolution and can't reach full agreement needed for the FL-700 joint petition.
Standard divorce has a reputation for being expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Uncontested standard divorces, where both spouses agree on everything and simply need help with the paperwork and filing, can be handled affordably. Hello Divorce offers flat-rate plans for exactly this situation, along with on-demand access to attorneys, financial analysts, and mediators when you need specific help.
The cost escalates quickly when spouses can't agree and need a judge to decide. That's where mediation can help bridge the gap without going to trial. Learn more about Hello Divorce mediation services.
How to decide which option is right for you
Most people start by checking whether they qualify for summary dissolution. If you do, and you and your spouse are aligned on the property split, it's a straightforward choice.
If you don't qualify for summary dissolution but you and your spouse are in agreement on everything, the 2026 FL-700 joint petition is worth a close look. It gives you most of the cooperative benefits of summary dissolution without the eligibility restrictions.
If you can't agree on everything, or if the situation is complicated, standard divorce is your path. The good news is that "standard" doesn't mean "adversarial." Many standard divorces are fully cooperative and handled entirely without a courtroom.
A quick decision guide
- Married under 5 years, no kids, minimal assets: Check summary dissolution eligibility first.
- Married any length, with kids or more assets, both agree on everything: FL-700 joint petition is your fastest cooperative path.
- Can't agree on everything, or one spouse is uncooperative: Standard divorce with Hello Divorce support.
- Need a temporary court order right now: Standard divorce only.
Frequently asked questions
Is summary dissolution the same as divorce in California?
Yes. Summary dissolution is a type of divorce in California. The legal outcome is identical: your marriage ends, you receive a judgment of dissolution, and you are free to remarry. The difference is procedural. Summary dissolution uses fewer forms, requires no court hearing, and is only available to couples who meet strict eligibility criteria around marriage length, children, and assets.
Is summary dissolution faster than a regular divorce?
Not necessarily in terms of calendar time. Both paths are subject to the same six-month waiting period from the date of filing. Summary dissolution is faster in terms of steps and paperwork volume. There's no service of process, no Respondent filing period, and no back-and-forth with the court over forms. But the clock to finalize your divorce starts on the same date either way.
What is the FL-700 joint petition and how is it different from summary dissolution?
Form FL-700 is the Joint Petition for Dissolution of Marriage introduced by Senate Bill 1427, effective January 1, 2026. Like summary dissolution, it allows both spouses to file together. Unlike summary dissolution, it has no restrictions on marriage length, children, real estate, or asset value. The only requirement is that both spouses agree on all terms. Full financial disclosures are still required, and temporary court orders are not available through this process.
Can I get a summary dissolution if we have children?
No. Having minor children is a disqualifying factor for summary dissolution. If you have children together, born or adopted before or during the marriage, or if you are currently expecting, you cannot use the summary dissolution process. Your options are the FL-700 joint petition (if both spouses agree on all terms including custody and support) or a standard divorce.
What if my spouse won't cooperate with the divorce process?
Standard divorce is your only option if your spouse is uncooperative. California is a no-fault state, meaning you can cite irreconcilable differences and proceed with the divorce even if your spouse refuses to participate. If your spouse doesn't file a Response after being served, you may be able to request a default judgment. Both summary dissolution and the FL-700 joint petition require mutual participation and agreement.
How much does summary dissolution cost compared to standard divorce?
Summary dissolution typically costs less than a standard divorce in total, even though the court filing fee is similar. In a standard divorce, each spouse pays a filing fee of roughly $435 to $450, bringing combined court costs to $870 to $900. In summary dissolution, one filing fee covers the couple, around $435 to $450 total. The bigger savings come from reduced legal help needed, since summary dissolution requires less paperwork and no court hearing. With Hello Divorce, a summary dissolution can be completed for a flat fee starting at $1,500 total for both spouses.
See which plan is right for you
Whether you're headed toward summary dissolution, a joint petition, or a standard divorce, Hello Divorce has a flat-rate plan built for your situation.
California court resources for dissolution of marriage
Official court and government resources for each dissolution path in California.
- California Courts Self-Help: Divorce overview (statewide)
- California Courts Self-Help: Summary dissolution eligibility and forms
- California Courts Self-Help: Joint petition for dissolution (FL-700, SB 1427)
- Judicial Council of California: All family law forms (FL series)
- California Courts Self-Help: Fee waiver application
References & further reading
Sources cited in this article and recommended for further reading.
- 1. California Courts. "Summary Dissolution" — Official eligibility checklist and forms for summary dissolution in California. Judicial Branch of California, current. Accessed March 2026.
- 2. California Courts. "Joint Petition for Dissolution of Marriage" — Step-by-step guide to the FL-700 joint petition process under SB 1427. Judicial Branch of California, January 2026. Accessed March 2026.
- 3. CalMatters Digital Democracy. "SB 1427: Marriage: Joint Petition for Dissolution of Marriage" — Legislative record for Senate Bill 1427 establishing the joint petition process. CalMatters, 2024. Accessed March 2026.
- 4. Hello Divorce. "Summary Dissolution in California" — Hello Divorce's service page for summary dissolution, including eligibility requirements, forms, and flat-rate pricing. hellodivorce.com. Accessed March 2026.
- 5. Hello Divorce. "Divorce in California" — Comprehensive overview of all California divorce paths including the new FL-700 joint petition under SB 1427. hellodivorce.com. Accessed March 2026.
