How Long Does A Divorce Take in California?

Making the choice to get a divorce takes a lot of courage and bravery. It’s not easy to come to terms with your marriage ending, and some couples may want to get through the process as quickly as possible.

A divorce in California will take a least six months from the date you filed for divorce and informed your spouse about the filing. However, in some instances, the process can take longer.

The amount of time it takes to finalize a divorce in California varies by situation. There are factors that can prolong the process, like:

You may also have to meet a few other conditions, such as residency requirements. If you are seeking a summary dissolution for a quick divorce, there are some additional stipulations. Read on to learn more about the summary dissolution process.

Summary Dissolution

If you have been married for five years or less, you can file for a summary dissolution. Summary Dissolution is a way to fast-track a divorce for couples who haven’t been married longer than five years. There are several requirements you must meet before you can file your dissolution:

  • You’ve been married for less than five years.
  • You don’t have children together that were born or adopted during the marriage.
  • You don’t own or rent any land or buildings, excluding where you live.
  • Don’t owe more than $6,000 in debt since you’ve been married, excluding car loans.

You can find out if you qualify for a dissolution of marriage by exploring your options with an attorney.

California Residency Requirements

Before filing for divorce, ensure that you and your spouse have lived in California for at least six months. You should also make sure that you have lived in the county you’re going to file for divorce in for at least three months.

It’s acceptable to file for a divorce in two different counties if you and your spouse have lived in separate counties for at least 3 months and if you have lived in California for at least 6 months.

Contact Our California Divorce Attorneys Today

If you’ve decided you want to get a divorce or separation, our Roseville, CA divorce attorneys at Creative Family Solutions, Cianci Law, PC are available to provide advice and handle your case with care through this difficult time.

Give us a call at (916) 797-1575 to schedule a consultation today.

Request a Consultation

Fields marked with an * are required

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.