California Online Divorce
Your Divorce Handled Your Way ™
Our simple online process makes getting divorced quick, easy and affordable and without the hassle of hiring a lawyer or going to court. We understand that going through a divorce can be a difficult and emotionally taxing experience, which is why we offer a simple and convenient way to take care of everything online.
If you are looking for a reliable online divorce service in California, look no further than ReliableDivorce. We have been helping people get divorced since 2007.
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Guaranteed approval by California courts
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100% Money Back Guarantee
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Lowest price on the market at $99
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No hidden fees
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Receive your divorce papers today
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Unlimited ability to make revisions
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Created by divorce lawyers
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Legal professional available to answer questions
Why Choose ReliableDivorce?
Because you don't like paying more for the same product.
You can pay other online divorce services up to $299 to receive the same completed divorce papers that you would receive from ReliableDivorce.com for just $99. Plus, our $99 price includes the option to schedule a phone conference with the legal professional assigned to your case (your Case Manager) to walk you through each step of the process and answer any questions you may have.
Because you want accurate divorce papers with a proven track record of acceptance by the court.
Since ReliableDivorce.com was created by divorce attorneys and is operated by divorce attorneys, you receive the same divorce papers that divorce lawyers file with the court every day, but without having to spend thousands of dollars on attorney's fees.
Because you want a single, upfront price and not be hit with hidden fees later down the road.
Many other services start hitting you up for additional fees shortly after you sign up (and after already paying their initial fee). These additional fees often include "storage fees" to maintain your information or monthly charges just so you may continue to access your own documents. However, we will never ask you to pay any additional fees. With ReliableDivorce.com, you will always have unlimited access to your account so that, at any time, you may make changes to your information and generate new documents regardless of how long ago you signed up for our service.
Getting an Online Divorce in California
Our online divorce service is designed for spouses who want a simple, fast, and cheap divorce in California. The key factor to determine whether an online divorce will work for your situation is that both spouses can agree to the terms of the divorce. That is, you and your spouse will agree to the division of property, division of debts and, if applicable, any child-related issues.
ReliableDivorce.com makes the online divorce process easy and affordable for virtually every budget. Based on your answers to our questionnaire, we determine all the necessary documents you will need and the documents are prepared as required for the court’s approval. We provide you step-by-step written instructions beginning with how to file your divorce papers and all the way through how to finalize your divorce.
We have spent more than 15 years helping people file for and complete their divorce. Unlike many other online divorce services, our services don’t end once you file your initial divorce papers. We also want to make sure you are easily able to finalize your divorce as quickly as California law allows. We understand that even with step-by-step instructions to guide you through the divorce process, it can still be overwhelming. That’s why our service continues to provide you support even after you have your completed divorce papers in hand. Included with our service is the option to schedule a phone consultation with your case manager who can answer any questions you may have or even walk you through each step of the process if necessary.
The bottom line is that if you and your spouse can agree on the terms of your divorce, then an online divorce is the fastest, easiest and least expensive option to dissolve your marriage. Whether you have children, own a home or own other property, as long as you and your spouse can reach an agreement on all such issues, then you are eligible to use our online divorce services to file your divorce in California.
Click the Start Now button to begin the process today.
Uncontested Divorce in California
An uncontested divorce is one in which both spouses have reached an agreement on all the major issues, such as property division, division of debt, child custody, child support, and spouse support.
A contested divorce in one in which the spouses cannot reach an agreement on the major issues and, as a result, the court will have to decide the final outcome on the disputed issues.
In either type of divorce, the process starts by one spouse filing for divorce.
Benefits to an Uncontested Divorce
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Save Money. Spouses save a significant amount of money in an uncontested divorce vs. a contested divorce. Instead of paying the high attorney’s fees that accompany a contested divorce, that money stays in the parties’ pockets.
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Save Time. Because the spouses have already reached an agreement on the important issues, the paperwork is stream-lined and the parties don’t have to spend time attending multiple court hearings and formal negations that can take many months or even years to complete.
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Save Mental Health. Fighting your divorce out in court adds additional stress to an already difficult situation. An uncontested divorce results in a much easier and less stressful legal process.
We created our California online divorce service to maximize these benefits. ReliableDivorce.com provides the lowest price online divorce service in the market with the fastest results. You receive your divorce papers immediately after completing our online questionnaire so you can file your divorce today or any other day you choose.
Grounds for Divorce
California is a true no-fault divorce state since a spouse is not required or even permitted to cite the wrongdoing of the other spouse as grounds for a divorce.
This means that neither spouse is required to prove the other spouse is at fault for causing the divorce.
Instead, there are only two grounds available for divorce in California:
1) irreconcilable differences that have caused a permanent breakdown of the marriage, and
2) permanent mental incapacity (also known as "incurable insanity).
[California Fam. Code §2310).]
How to File for Divorce Without a Lawyer
The first step of the process is to ensure you meet the state's residency requirements to file for divorce in California.
At least one of the spouses must have lived in the state of California for a minimum of six months prior to filing. Since only one spouse needs to meet the residency requirement, you may file for divorce in California even if your spouse resides in another state. [California Fam. Code §2320].
It’s not difficult to prove residency. For example, any one of the following items will establish residency - a valid state driver’s license, ID card, or voter’s registration card.
California also requires that one of the spouses be a resident in the county where the divorce is going to be filed for at least ninety (90) days prior to filing the initial paperwork. [California Fam. Code §2320].
Detailed court-filing instructions are included with your completed divorce papers, so that you know how the process works.
It may be necessary to follow up if any issues in your documents arise after you file your initial paperwork. We offer you the flexibility to make small adjustments to your divorce forms at no additional cost when you use our online divorce service. Our online divorce service is designed to make your divorce as easy and stress-free as possible.
Our online divorce service makes it easy to file for divorce without a lawyer. There is no requirement that you have a lawyer to file for divorce in California. In fact, in many California counties, more than half of all divorces are filed and completed without any lawyer involvement. Once you sign up to use our online divorce service, you simply fill out our online questionnaire to begin your divorce paperwork. It can either be filled out on your own or with your spouse's help. We provide you with all the paperwork needed to file and complete your divorce along with detailed instructions for every step of the process.
Child Support
California law mandates that child support be set based on uniform guidelines adopted by the state. The state's child support guidelines are presumed to be correct, fair and in the child's best interest. In almost every case, child support must be determined using the state's guidelines. As a result, the California Guideline Child Support Calculator should be used to determine the appropriate amount of child support that will be paid. [California Fam. Code §4052].
Our online divorce service provides you access to the California Guideline Child Support Calculator during your questionnaire.
Child support obligation in California generally ends when the child turns eighteen (18) years old. However, if the child turns 18 while still a full-time student in high school, then child support will end when the child graduates high school or turns nineteen (19), which occurs first.
Child Custody and Visitation
Legal Custody in California
Legal custody refers to who makes or participates in the major decisions regarding the raising of the child.
Legal custody is determined based on what is in the child's best interest.
Joint Legal Custody is where both parents have the right to participate in making the major decisions affecting the child.
Sole Legal Custody is where only one parent has the right to make decisions affecting the child.
In California, it is presumed that joint legal custody is appropriate unless proven otherwise. This means the court favors joint legal custody, but not necessarily joint or equal physical custody of a child. [California Fam. Code §3080].
Physical Custody in California
Physical custody says who the children will primarily reside with and the other parent will have visitation as discussed below.
In California, the non-custodial parent generally has the same visitation rights regardless of whether sole custody or joint custody is ordered in the divorce decree. There are exceptions to this general rule of course, such as when there is a history of domestic violence.
Best Interest
When the court is looking at what is in a child's best interest, there are a number of factors the judge considers, including:
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Which parent has been the child’s primary caregiver – including providing meals, bathing, dressing the child, handling doctor’s appointments, taking care of school issues
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Any history of domestic violence
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Whether either parent has a history of substance abuse
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Parents’ mental and physical health
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Ability and willingness to co-parent with the other parent
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Parents’ criminal history
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Presence of a support system and extended family
Visitation
Visitation can be any schedule agreed upon by both parents and can be changed at any time provided both parents are in agreement. Basically, the parents are in control of visitation provided they both agree to it and it is in the best interest of the child. If the parents cannot reach an agreement on visitation then the court will require the parents to follow a specific schedule that is determined by the court. The state provides guidelines on visitation and many parents find it easier to just go by the standard guideline visitation schedule. This will be explained in more detail in your divorce papers.
Spousal Support (Alimony)
The factors a California court looks at when considering spousal support (or alimony) include:
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Each spouses’ ability to maintain the standard of living established during the marriage. To determine this, the Court looks at the marketable skills of each spouse, the current job market for the spouse’s skills, whether additional education or training would be needed to obtain suitable employment, and the extent to which a spouse’s earning capacity is impaired because of the spouse’s period of unemployment during the marriage that allowed the spouse to focus on domestic duties (caring for children, the other spouse and the house);
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the extent to which the spouse requesting support contributed to the other spouse gaining education or a career position;
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Whether the spouse has the financial ability, in the form of income, future income and assets, to pay alimony while also maintaining a reasonable standard of living;
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Obligations and assets of each spouse;
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Needs of each spouse based on the standard of living established during the marriage;
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Length of the marriage;
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Age and health of each spouse;
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Ability of the party requesting support to work without unduly affecting the lives of the spouses’ minor children;
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Any documented history of domestic violence;
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Tax consequences to each spouse:
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Consideration of the hardships to each spouse with an eye towards balancing these hardships between them;
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Ability of the spouse requesting support to become self-sufficient within a reasonable period of time;
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Any criminal conviction involving domestic violence; and
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Any other factors the court determines are just and equitable.
California Divorce - FAQ
How long will my divorce take?
Short Answer: 45-60 days.
Detailed Answer: California has a mandatory 30-day waiting period that begins when the initial petition is filed. This means the court cannot finalize any dissolution until after this 30-day waiting period has expired. However, the actual time it takes will largely depend on how quickly you and your spouse complete and file all the necessary paperwork and the judge's schedule. Assuming there are no major hurdles, it is reasonable to expect your divorce to be finalized 45-60 days after filing the initial papers.
What documents are needed to file for divorce in California?
Short Answer: 1) Petition--Marriage/Domestic Partnership and 2) Summons (Family Law).
Detailed Answer: Additional documents are needed if spouses have minor children together. Our online divorce service will provide you all of the forms needed for the entire divorce process along with detailed instructions for every step. If you have any questions along the way, you may also schedule a call with one of our legal professionals who will walk you through the process.
How soon can I get remarried after my divorce is final?
Short Answer: Immediately.
Detailed Answer: California law does not have a mandatory waiting period between finalizing a divorce and when a party may marry another person.
Can I file for divorce in California if my spouse lives in another state?
Short Answer: Yes.
Detailed Answer: If your spouse lives outside of California, then as long as you satisfy the state's residency requirement, you may file in California.
How long do I need to live in California before I can file for divorce in the state?
Short Answer: Usually 6 months.
Detailed Answer: California Residency Requirement: At least one spouse must be a resident of California for six (6) months prior to filing for divorce. If you have lived in the state for less than six months, but your spouse has lived in California for six months, then you may still file for divorce since residency requirement would be met based on your spouse's residency.
California Online Divorce Forms
We only use divorce forms that have been approved by the California Supreme Court. As a result, our California divorce forms are guaranteed to be approved by any California court. Our software determines what forms are needed and how to correctly complete the documents based on the answers you provide when completing our online questionnaire. Our software is updated anytime there is a change in the California divorce laws. Our service makes getting an online divorce as seamless as possible and at a price that meets every budget.
Why ReliableDivorce Stands Above Other Divorce Services:
Divorce Attorney Created Documents & Instructions: Our online divorce service, including all our divorce forms, instructions and questionnaires were created and are continuously operated by divorce attorneys.
Instant Divorce Documents: Your documents are completed in real time so you can file your papers today.
Dedicated Case Manager: Access to the legal professional assigned to your case who can walk you through every step of the process.
Court-Approved Forms: All our divorce forms are court-approved and guaranteed to be accepted by the court.
100% Money Back Guarantee: We guarantee our forms will be accepted by the court or we will refund 100% of your fee to use our service.
Free Name Change: You may change your name at no additional cost, whether you are going back to a maiden name, or changing to a completely different first, middle and/or last name.
Best Value: At $99, we have the lowest price complete online divorce service on the market.
Step-by-Step Instructions: We provide you detailed instructions for every step of the divorce process. If you are unsure or simply anxious about a step, you may schedule a call with your case manager who will walk you through any part of the process and answer any questions you may have.