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Summary Dissolution

$1,500 flat fee or pay $440 for 4 months

We will help prepare, process, and file all of your documents for uncontested Summary Dissolution, which is a simpler divorce process for those who have been married less than 5 years, have no children together, and meet certain financial criteria.

Summary Dissolution

Price: $1,500 flat fee

For your privacy, this purchase will show up as "HD" on your account statement.
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Summary Dissolution: the easiest way to divorce in California – if you qualify

We will help prepare, process, and file all of your documents for uncontested Summary Dissolution, which is a simpler divorce process for those who have been married less than 5 years, have no children together, and meet certain financial criteria.

Do you qualify for a Summary Dissolution?

To qualify for Summary Dissolution, you must satisfy all of the following:

  • Have been married for less than 5 years (from the date you got married to the date you separated)
  • Have no children together born or adopted before or during the marriage (and you are not expecting a new child now)
  • Do not own any part of land or buildings
  • Do not rent any land or buildings (except for where you now live with limited exceptions)
  • Do not owe more than $7,000 for debts acquired since the date you got married (referred to as “community obligations”)*
  • Have less than $53,000 worth of property acquired since the date you got married (called “community property”)*
  • Do not have separate property worth more than $53,000
  • Agree that neither spouse will ever get spousal support
  • Have signed an agreement that divides your property and debts

*There may be some exceptions

 

How is a summary dissolution different from divorce?

During a Standard Dissolution (or divorce), a judge looks over a couple's paperwork and makes rulings regarding the outcome. At the end of that period, either part of the couple could appeal the ruling and challenge the outcome. A Summary Dissolution is different.

During a Summary Dissolution, both parties fill out paperwork jointly. Spouses settle on the terms of the divorce, and they sign paperwork to that effect. 

At the end of the Summary Dissolution process, there is no trial or hearing. Instead, couples file paperwork, and the process is complete. Summary Dissolution requires that a couple has minimal sources of conflict in general, such as lots of valuable assets to divide or complicated scenarios involving children that do require more negotiating.

A Summary Dissolution with Hello Divorce costs only $1,500 (for both of you).

 

 

Benefits and limitations of a Summary Dissolution

Benefits:

  • Usually cheaper, faster and easier than a traditional divorce.
  • Less paperwork – When you file for traditional divorce in California, you must submit a series of documents. But when you file for Summary Dissolution in California, the paperwork burden is considerably less. 

Limitations:

  • Couples can't appeal a Summary Dissolution in most cases. It's critical to work closely with your spouse and fight for the terms you want and achieve a fair settlement agreement.
  • While many couples may want to use a Summary Dissolution to end their marriage, it's not available to all couples. See the requirements here.

 

 

Read some of our blogs about summary dissolution in California

Learn more about the Summary Dissolution process in California, and how it differs from divorce, annulment or legal separation.




Court filing fees vary by county and state and are not included in the divorce plan price.

Get the support you need at a price you can afford

See our software in action. Purchasing our Plus plan means you and your spouse get all the help you need throughout your entire divorce, and you can add on mediation hours if you need extra support. If you still have questions or need help deciding which plan is right for you, our experienced team is always available for a free call or online chat.

What happens when you purchase a Hello Divorce plan?

1. Access to the Divorce Navigator

As soon as you purchase your plan, you will receive an email with instructions. Since you need to start your Summary Dissolution paperwork with your spouse, you will wait to be introduced to your Account Coordinator before starting the forms. We will introduce your Account Coordinator within one business day.

2. E-meet your Account Coordinator

Upon receiving your forms, your account coordinator will get to work and reach out to start your filing.

3. Just Follow the Steps

Your account coordinator will let you know every step to take next and notify you of any court updates until your divorce is finalized.

Meet some of our Account Coordinators:

Shelley

Director of Client Services

Jenn

Account Manager

Hannah

Account Coordinator

Rasha

Account Coordinator

What are the Benefits of Summary Dissolution with Hello Divorce?

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Stop feeling stuck

With Hello Divorce, you can finish the first part of your divorce in 5 minutes – with your forms ready to file and serve.

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Can filling out divorce forms be ... relaxing?

We've cut out the confusion and inconvenience of court. Answer questions in plain language (no legal jargon here), then get all the court-approved divorce forms you need delivered to your inbox.

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One-on-one support every step of the way

Unlike other online divorce options, real people have your back start to finish.

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But why is it so inexpensive?

We leverage technology to get you through the most time-consuming part of divorce – all those forms. Why pay a lawyer to do that?

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Bring us your mess

We can handle almost any divorce situation. Our expert team will map out the right divorce plan for you, and we have divorce professionals standing by to help.

What do our clients think about Hello Divorce?

Don't take it just from us. Find out what people who have gone through their divorce with Hello Divorce think about our process, our software, and life moving on to their next chapter. Then, give us a call to talk about how we can help you.

People love working with us in your state!

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gary crawford
Sep 24, 2024
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My wife and I agreed to a friendly and cheap divorce between us. We filed in South Carolina where we were living at the time of the divorce. Unfortunately, we went through a traditional divorce lawyer and paid her several... More

My wife and I agreed to a friendly and cheap divorce between us. We filed in South Carolina where we were living at the time of the divorce. Unfortunately, we went through a traditional divorce lawyer and paid her several thousands of dollars to file for a divorce but found out the lawyer only got us to a separation. Then she wanted more money to file a divorce. We were irate about this until we found Hello Divorce. We spoke to Heather and informed her of the situation, and she agreed to help us out and step us through submitting the correct paperwork to finalize our divorce to the state of South Carolina. Hello, Divorce, was fantastic and we really wished we would’ve started and ended with Hello Divorce. I would highly recommend Hello Divorce to anyone that is thinking of beginning a divorce process. Hello, Divorce, will walk you through what is needed and will show you the process to follow. They will save you so much money to settle a divorce and be with you ever step of the way. Hello Divorce can save a couple so much time, money and effort in the process.

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Emily Dalerta
May 26, 2024
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Chris Freemott, with Hello Divorce, offered me very helpful, concrete advice, he listened attentively to understand my particular situation and gave me a very clear explanation and understanding of what my options were regarding... More

Chris Freemott, with Hello Divorce, offered me very helpful, concrete advice, he listened attentively to understand my particular situation and gave me a very clear explanation and understanding of what my options were regarding the division of real estate in my divorce, namely the house, that I hoped to keep. He went even further and wrote a very concise letter outlining the facts with his recommendation that I keep the house. I showed the letter to my lawyer and brought it to mediation where everyone read it. It was not an open/shut situation but I was able to keep the house in the settlement, which was a huge relief and victory. Chris was very cooperative and wonderful to work with. I very much appreciate his advisement and help, it was invaluable to me.

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Fitz Allen
Feb 13, 2024
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KC Holdings
Feb 9, 2024
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I spoke to Chris before and after my divorce was final. He was knowledgeable, personable and reassuring as I faced the most difficult time of my life! He provided practical guidance to help me make the best decisions moving... More

I spoke to Chris before and after my divorce was final. He was knowledgeable, personable and reassuring as I faced the most difficult time of my life! He provided practical guidance to help me make the best decisions moving forward, particularly with regards to my real estate questions. Chris made no promises and urged me to discuss key points with my divorce attorney. Overall, being able to talk to Chris helped me have confidence in the decisions I was making and gave me clarity and confidence that I was moving in the right direction. I cannot say enough about have invaluable that extra attention was in this trying time of my life. Thank you again!

LP
lisa pelletier
Feb 4, 2024
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My mind was blown by the real estate consultation i had for FREE withChris Freemott through Hello Divorce. This dude walked me through all my options, helped run the numbers so i could make a practical decision despite all... More

My mind was blown by the real estate consultation i had for FREE withChris Freemott through Hello Divorce. This dude walked me through all my options, helped run the numbers so i could make a practical decision despite all the emotional attachments. He spent additional time with me and emailed me a summary later. What a great service!

KB
Keela Bee
Feb 9, 2024
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I spoke to Chris before and after my divorce was final. He was knowledgeable, personable and reassuring as I faced the most difficult time of my life! He provided practical guidance to help me make the best decisions moving... More

I spoke to Chris before and after my divorce was final. He was knowledgeable, personable and reassuring as I faced the most difficult time of my life! He provided practical guidance to help me make the best decisions moving forward, particularly with regards to my real estate questions. Chris made no promises and urged me to discuss key points with my divorce attorney. Overall, being able to talk to Chris helped me have confidence in the decisions I was making and gave me clarity and confidence that I was moving in the right direction. I cannot say enough about have invaluable that extra attention was in this trying time of my life. Thank you again!

BP
Brooke Purves
Jan 26, 2024
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Hello Divorce is incredibly accessible and has truly streamlined the process for me.I’ll point out just a few things that were especially important to me. The FREE 15-minute planning call is a phenomenal first step down... More

Hello Divorce is incredibly accessible and has truly streamlined the process for me.I’ll point out just a few things that were especially important to me. The FREE 15-minute planning call is a phenomenal first step down the road to divorce. I came with some questions prepped (because I’m a planner), but even if you don’t know where to begin, give them a call. The reps will walk you through the process and save you from hours of searching the web. The ease with which I can schedule time with a very approachable attorney and/or divorce coach means I can get the help I need when I need it in the increments desired for a fair fee. If I only need half an hour of time with the attorney, that’s what I buy. I come prepared to work and I often get everything done right then. Neil has answered every one of my questions quickly and clearly, and I always come away feeling like the visit was worth every penny spent. Divorce coach Kim and I planned what the “big talk” could look like, and Kara helped me to reframe the feelings I had moving through the process. We didn’t have to get into old stuff like a therapist would; we just dealt with the current issue, saving me a ton of time and money. The FREE call with the divorce real estate strategist Chris was probably the most fortuitous of interactions with the platform. I didn’t know what he would do for me, but I figured that if he could even confirm that some options were viable for me in my individual situation, it’d be worth the time. Chris gave me clarity and additional options I was not yet familiar with. He also directed me to information about a lien on my home that I did not know about, something which could have potentially stalled a buyout or sale. Great catch that probably saved me, again, time and money. He also provided the exact language to use when contacting the credit union about the “release of lien” from the county recorder. My account coordinator, Courtney, handles my paperwork and lets me know about upcoming webinars. I wish I had some more immediate way to contact her for quick questions. All communication is via email and with time changes/work schedules, that means some questions don’t get answered until the next business day. Not a travesty, but it can slow down the work. Overall, I am pleased with my Hello Divorce experience thus far, and am grateful the whole team is there to support me.

HC
Harold Cooper
Feb 1, 2024
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I have spoken with Chris Freemott with Hello Divorce twice regarding my mortgage and divorce. He is by far the most knowledgeable, straightforward, and helpful mortgage specialist that I have ever spoken with and has likely... More

I have spoken with Chris Freemott with Hello Divorce twice regarding my mortgage and divorce. He is by far the most knowledgeable, straightforward, and helpful mortgage specialist that I have ever spoken with and has likely saved me tens of thousands of dollars by avoiding the need to refi my mortgage. Thanks Chris.

BP
Brooke Purves
Jan 26, 2024
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I am in the middle of a divorce in California and have been using Hello Divorce resources since before I even filed. This platform is incredibly accessible and has truly streamlined the process for me. Yes, I pay for the... More

I am in the middle of a divorce in California and have been using Hello Divorce resources since before I even filed. This platform is incredibly accessible and has truly streamlined the process for me. Yes, I pay for the Pro plan, through which I have a divorce specialist who guides me through the steps, proofs my paperwork before submission to the courts, and answers all of my many, many questions. But I also have taken advantage of the many free and low-cost resources on the Hello Divorce website. There is so much available information and guidance I could talk about, but I’ll try to point out just a few things that were especially important to me. Firstly, the free 15-minute planning call is a phenomenal first step down the road to divorce. I came with some questions prepped (because I’m a planner), but even if you don’t know where to begin, give them a call. The reps will walk you through the process and save you from hours of searching the web. Secondly, the ease with which I can schedule time with a very approachable attorney and/or divorce coach means I can get the help I need when I need it in the increments desired for a fair fee. I love that I don’t have to deal with a retainer or pay for so many hours of work if I don’t need it. If I only need half an hour of time with the attorney, that’s what I buy. I come prepared to work and I often get everything done right then. Neil has answered every one of my questions quickly and clearly, and I always come away feeling like the visit was worth every penny spent. Use their attorneys to get quick answers for a reasonable fee in the privacy of wherever you want to take the call. HD divorce coach Kim and I planned what the “big talk” could look like, and Kara helped me to reframe the feelings I had moving through the process. We didn’t have to get into old stuff like a therapist would; we just dealt with the current issue, saving me a ton of time and money. Moreover, the free call with the divorce real estate strategist Chris was probably the most fortuitous of interactions with the platform. I had received a free home equity buyout analysis early on in the process, which was good information. One day, months later, while clicking on the website, I found a link for a free call with Chris. I honestly didn’t know what he would do for me, but I like information and figured that if he could even confirm that some options were viable for me in my individual situation, it’d be worth the time. By happy accident, I had this wonderful (FREE!) Zoom with someone who gave me clarity andadditional options I was not yet familiar with. Chris also directed me to information about a lien on my home that I did not know about, something which could have potentially stalled a buyout or sale. That was a great catch that probably saved me, again, time and money. He gave me the exact language to say when contacting the credit union about the “release of lien” from the county recorder, and I am getting that lien taken care of. As well, my account coordinator, Courtney, keeps me informed as to the status of my paperwork and informs me of any upcoming webinars that might be useful. My only criticism of working with the coordinator is that I wish we had a chat function or some more immediate way to contact her for quick questions. All communication is via email and with time changes/work schedules, that means some questions don’t get answered until the next business day. Not a travesty, but it can slow down the work. Overall, I am pleased with my Hello Divorce experience thus far, and while I don’t want the divorce process to drag on for much longer, I am grateful the whole team is there to support me along the ride.

AA
Adriana Acosta
Jan 16, 2024
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they helped my divorce process so smoothly, I didn't have to worry about anything! They guided me through it all and maintained constant communication throughout the process. highly recommend!

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Rohan Harrison
Jan 11, 2024
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Tiffany
Jan 25, 2024
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I have had the pleasure of working with Chris from Hello Divorce and he has been beyond knowledgeable, helpful, informative, supportive and made me feel so at ease about my divorce situation and providing me with some great... More

I have had the pleasure of working with Chris from Hello Divorce and he has been beyond knowledgeable, helpful, informative, supportive and made me feel so at ease about my divorce situation and providing me with some great possible options in regards to how to navigate through my upcoming house equity settlement. I highly recommend using this service. I truly appreciate Chris’s warmth, time, insight and knowledge.

CS
Casey Sullivan
Dec 17, 2023
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Thank you to everyone at the Hello Divorce team. Every part of the service is world class while keeping a certain sensitivity in demeanor in the back and forth dealings. Organized, informative and genuine is how i would describe... More

Thank you to everyone at the Hello Divorce team. Every part of the service is world class while keeping a certain sensitivity in demeanor in the back and forth dealings. Organized, informative and genuine is how i would describe my experience. Thank you again. Casey

KS
Kate S.
Dec 14, 2023
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So quick and easy, I can't recommend this site enough. I worked with Jenn who was crazy fast at responding and very helpful. I felt like I barely had to do anything, it was so easy. Plus, overall it was very inexpensive and... More

So quick and easy, I can't recommend this site enough. I worked with Jenn who was crazy fast at responding and very helpful. I felt like I barely had to do anything, it was so easy. Plus, overall it was very inexpensive and everything went extremely smoothly. No dealing with the courts or filling out paperwork incorrectly and having to spend money and time fixing everything. You can't go wrong with this site, especially if you know you have an uncomplicated divorce. 10 out of 10!

CM
Carol Martin
Jan 10, 2024
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From my initial call with Hannah, to Courtney who walked me through the filing process and finally then Jenn who made sure my documents were filed on time - these ladies were amazing. They took a stressful situation and... More

From my initial call with Hannah, to Courtney who walked me through the filing process and finally then Jenn who made sure my documents were filed on time - these ladies were amazing. They took a stressful situation and made it easy for me as I was living out of state. The staff at Hello Divorce are all supportive and quick to respond to all your questions and concerns. I'm so glad I chose their services and highly recommend them.

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