During a Divorce Case

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People who want to end their marriage or registered domestic partnership can ask the court to give them:

• a divorce (dissolution of marriage or dissolution of registered
  domestic partnership),
• a legal separation (allows them to make separate decisions but not end the marriage or registered domestic partnership for good), or
• an annulment (an order that says the marriage or registered domestic partnership was not legal in the first place.)

In this section, you will learn more about:

• Starting a divorce case - how a court case works
• Temporary orders
• Exchanging information with your spouse or partner
• Finishing a Divorce Case: Options
  
  
  • Finish a 'True' Default Case
  • Finish a Default Case
  • Finish an Uncontested Case
  • Finish a Contested Case

• What to expect in court

You can also go to the sections that will give you information about:

• Starting a court case if you are the person asking the court to end the marriage or registered domestic partnership
• Responding to a court case when the other person started the case
• A week before your court hearing
• Checklist for preparing for your court date

At any time, you can:

• Read answers for Frequently Asked Questions about divorce.
• Read some general information about How Courts Work, click here.
• Watch some videos with general information about how California's court system works, click here.
• Watch some short videos with information on "Paperwork Basics" (forms), "Service of Process" and "Tips on Going to Court", click here.
  

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