California Divorce Forms & Papers

Divorce Papers > California Divorce Forms & Papers

Divorce is one of the most complicated and stressful phase of a person's life. It changes your entire life, especially, if you have been in the marriage for a long time. The process of divorce might take on toll on your spouse as well as children. It is essential that you are aware of the divorce laws, so that the entire process of divorce is known to you. In California a divorce is termed as dissolution of marriage. California divorce forms and papers can be filed in the county; however, you need to fulfill some residential requirements in order to file a divorce in California.

The spouse who files for dissolution of marriage must have been a resident of the state for 6 months and a resident of the county where the dissolution of marriage is filed for 3 months. [Annotated California Code; Section 4514). For more information on filing for divorce see our page on how to file for divorce. It is also mandatory to complete a waiting period of six months before the divorce is finalized. Only after you qualify to meet these requirements, a divorce can be filed.

Grounds for Filing a Divorce:

The legal ground for dissolution of marriage for no-fault divorce is Irreconcilable differences, where the marriage has gone through irremediable breakdown. [Annotated California Code; Section 4506].

Incurable insanity is the general ground for divorce; however, it is not limited to this very ground. Proofs and documentation needs to be submitted for proving the ground to obtain a divorce.

If you are doing a divorce on your own, without any legal help, you can do an agreed divorce or a default divorce. An agreed divorce is the simplest way of parting ways with your partner. This method is thereby opted by many to get off a relationship without hassles.

Child Support Guidelines:

The income shares model is adopted to determine the amount towards child support. The income of each spouse is considered to apply the guidelines as per this model. Generally a fair distribution of the amount is done taking into consideration the needs and requirements of the child, and the parent who would take the legal custody of the child. A few things that are considered for child support are:

• The financial standing of the spouse and their ability to provide the same kind of environment the child enjoyed while staying with both parents.
• Parent's ability to provide child support in the light of their earnings, assets, standard of living, unearned income.
• Mutual responsibilities of both partners for child support
• Debts and other obligations of the partner. This would include each individuals separate property.
• The age and physical health of partners
• Tax consequences on the income of each spouse
• Hardships, if any, experienced by either spouse

However, child support in California asks for proper, fair and timely support to the children as children are considered as the parent's primary obligation. Each partner need to pay a fair share towards child support. This should be in lieu with the high child care cost in California, and the equally high living standard of the state.

When filing a divorce in California you need to make sure that all the documents are in place. Documents pertaining child support, child custody and spousal support, if any, need to be filed accordingly, in order to avoid any further complications. Make sure that the right documents are filed, apart from the fact that the information you fill in is authentic. If you are not sure about the details to be filled in the forms, you can consult a good lawyer or attorney. This will in turn help you obtain a quick divorce as accurate forms and documentation are processed without delay by the court.

USE THESE WORDS IN THE COURT DOCUMENTS FOR CALIFORNIA ONLY:

1. Use the words, all in capital letters: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF
2. Use the words, all in capital letters: PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE
3. Use the word "Petitioner'. Be sure the "P" is capitalized.
4. Use the word "Respondent". Be sure the "R" is capitalized.
5. Use these words, all in capital letters: FINAL JUDGEMENT OF DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE
6. Use the word "County" here.

Free California Divorce Forms for Download

Following divorce forms are free for download. Most of the forms are provided with instructions on how to fill the form. To download any of these divorce papers and forms just right click on the link and select "Save As...".

• Petition for Change of Name
• Attachment to Petition for Change of Name
• Supplemental Attachment to Petition for Change of Name (Declaration of Guardian)
• Order to Show Cause for Change of Name
• Proof of Service of Order to Show Cause
• Decree Changing Name
• Decree - Change of Name of Minor by Guardian
• 1281 - Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Legal Separation and Nullity of Marriage
• 129520 - Request for Judgment for Summary Dissolution of Marriage
• 129510 - Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution
• Insert for Instructions on the Summary Dissolution (129511a)
• Instructions for Summary Dissolution (129511)
• 1282 - Response Dissolution of Marriage, Legal Separation and Nullity of Marriage
• 12835-fl-Proof of Service Summons for a Dissolution of Marriage
• 1283fl - Summons for a Retraining Order against a Husband or Wife
• 128570 - Stipulation to modify or establish child support order
• 1284conf - Confidential Filing Statement Request from you or spouse
• 128527 - Stipulation to child support orders
• 1285.05 - Orders to Show Cause for child custody, visitation and support issues
• 128540 - Response to Orders to Show Cause for child custody, visitation and support issues
• 1287.05 - Temporary Orders to Show Cause (Continued)
• 1285 - Petition for Orders to Show Cause
• 128570 - Wage Earnings Assignment
• MC150 - Declaration under Uniform Child Custody Act - UCCJA
• 128592 - Child Support Case Registry
• Family Probate Cover Sheet required for Los Angeles Only
• 129211- Asset Debt schedule
• 129205 - Declaration regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure and Income and Expenses Declaration
• 982a19 - Notice of fee waiver
• 1292 - Declaration of Disclosure
• 982a18 - Order on application for waiver of Court Costs - Fee Waiver
• 129530 - Notice if Revocation of Joint Petition
• 982a17 - Application for fee waiver
• Instructions for application of Fee Waiver (982a17a)
• 128550 - Income Expenses Declaration 1 of 4
• 128550a - Income Expense Declaration 2 of 4
• 128550b - Income Expense Declaration 3 of 4
• 128550c - Income Expense Declaration 4 of 4
• 128520 - Application for Order
• 128584 - Proof of Personal Service
• 128585 - Proof of Service by Mail
• DV100A - Child Custody and Visitation Support Attachment
• DV100 - Application Declaration for Order
• Complete Instruction Booklet
• DV110 - Orders to Show Cause and Temporary Restraining Order
• DV120 - Responsive Declaration for Orders to Show Cause Temporary Restraining Order
• DV130 - Issue a Restraining Order after a Hearing
• DV140 - Proof of Service
• DVPA - Child Custody Order Attachment
• DVPA - Information on Child Support Issues and a Request for Order Attachment
• DVPA - Spousal and Family Support Attachment
• DVPA - Support Finding Attachment

If you don't want to file for divorce papers directly then find Divorce Lawyers in California here.

Divorce Papers