How to File Your Own Uncontested, Default, or Summary Divorce in Los Angeles County and all of California in 2012. All court forms everywhere are always free from the government online. Use links that take you directly to the .gov sites with the latest forms. If you are not a LA County resident, please check the Superior Court website for your county for unique local forms such as civil cover sheets or at issue memorandums.
Always file your divorce in the branch or district court closest to where your spouse lives.
1. Type your soon-to-be ex-spouse's address into the Los Angeles County Court Locator.
Each county in California has its own unique set of local court rules and forms.
2. The one unique local form required only in LA County is the FAM-020 Los Angeles County Family Law Case Cover Sheet.
3. The second form and all of the remaining forms on this page are the same in every California divorce, starting with Judicial Council Form FL-100 Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
4. The third form you need is the FL-110 Summons (Family Law).
Do you have children with the person you are divorcing?
5. Only if you have children with this person, you will need the FL-105.
6. The last thing you need for this initial filing process is the $395 Petitioners Filing Fee, or else the completed fee waiver FW-001 forms.
7. Make two copies of everything, hole punch it like in the video below, and take it to the New Civil Filings Window of the court. The clerk will stamp your new case number on your papers. Now it is time to serve your spouse so your six month waiting period can begin.
You cannot serve your spouse because you are a party to the action. These instructions are for an uncontested divorce in which your spouse is going to sign every document you and/or your paralegal send them.
8. To act as a process server use a friend, relative, neighbor, co-worker or a legal document assistant service to type their name on the FL-117 Notice of Acknowledgment and Receipt.
Have your server mail your soon-to-be-ex-spouse with a stamped return envelope addressed to you, along with the forms listed right on the FL-117 down in box a:
a. FL-100 Petition, FL-110 Summons and BLANK FL-120 Response
9. Have your process serve fill out the FL-115 Proof of Service.
10. File the FL-115 Proof of Service and FL-117 Notice of Acknowledgment at court.
The Quickest Option in California: Summary Dissolution of Marriage
Have you been married less than five years, no children and no real property?
1. FL-800 Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution of Marriage.
2. FL-810 Summary Dissolution Information.
3. FL-825 Judgment Of Dissolution And Notice Of Entry Of Judgment.