Resources
Help & court resources
General information about California divorce procedures, common court terms, and official self-help resources. Not legal advice.
This page explains general information about California divorce procedures. California law may require certain documents depending on circumstances. Court requirements can vary. If you need advice about your specific situation, speak with a licensed California attorney. We do not choose forms for you or tell you which legal option is best.
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Self-Help Centers can provide legal information and resources to people without a lawyer. Help can be in person, over the phone, or online.
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Common court words
- Petition
- The first form that asks the court to start your divorce, legal separation, or annulment and states what you are asking for.
- Summons
- Official notice that tells your spouse a case has been started and that they must respond by a deadline.
- Serve / service
- Legally delivering court papers to the other person. You usually cannot do this yourself—another adult 18 or older must.
- Proof of service
- A form signed by the person who served the papers, telling the court how and when service happened.
- Response
- The other spouse’s answer to your petition if they disagree or want to ask the court for different orders.
- Default
- When the other person does not file a response in time, you may ask the court to decide the case without their participation—if you follow the rules.
- Financial disclosures
- Forms where each side shares income, expenses, property, and debts so decisions can be fair and informed.
- Judgment
- The court’s final written decision that ends your case. You are generally not divorced until the judgment is signed and processed.
Court self-help resources
Getting started on CADIVHELP
Optional paid access may let you type information into Judicial Council forms and preview PDFs. We do not select forms for you or advise what is appropriate for your situation.