Starting a divorce in Los Angeles County requires the correct statewide forms, local filing information, and notice to the other spouse. This outline covers the ordinary petition-and-response route. California also offers a joint-petition process for qualifying couples beginning in 2026.

Check eligibility and prepare the forms

Review residency and jurisdiction first. Ordinarily one spouse must have lived in California for six months and the county for three months. See Family Code section 2320 for the statute and its exceptions.

The ordinary starting forms are Petition for Dissolution (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110), plus Declaration Under UCCJEA (FL-105) when child-custody information is required. Follow the current FL-105 instructions for additional children or residence histories. Los Angeles also uses FAM 020, the family-law case cover sheet, to address assignment.

File and arrange service

Check the court’s current filing location, electronic-filing rules, fee schedule, and fee-waiver options. For ordinary personal service, use an adult who is not a party. Include the required blank response forms, including Response to Marriage or Domestic Partnership Petition (FL-120) where applicable, and have the server complete Proof of Service of Summons (FL-115). The respondent generally has 30 days after service to respond.

Read the restraints on the Summons. Family Code section 2040 addresses standard temporary orders affecting matters such as property, insurance, and children. Do not assume filing permits unilateral financial changes.

Disclosures and finishing the case

Follow the separate financial-disclosure process and deadlines. Some disclosure documents are exchanged rather than filed, while other documents, including an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) when required for a request, may need filing. FL-141 documents service of disclosures.

Related disclosure forms include Declaration of Disclosure (FL-140) and Schedule of Assets and Debts (FL-142). Read the instructions on the forms and follow the separate disclosure process.

The waiting period is not an automatic divorce. In an ordinary case, marital status cannot end before the applicable six-month period following service or appearance, whichever occurs first. The court must still enter the necessary judgment; a judgment may specify a later status-termination date. Default also requires the proper application and judgment papers.

For the alternative procedure, review California Courts’ joint-petition instructions.

Sources: California Courts — starting forms, divorce process, and Los Angeles FAM 020. Reviewed October 23, 2026.