Dissolution / Legal Separation
        


In California, the legal term for a divorce is “dissolution of marriage.”   A dissolution may involve various matters, which include but are not limited to property division, spousal support, child custody and child support.  Some of these cases sometimes require emergency protective orders and temporary restraining orders.


The process for a dissolution/legal separation begins with the filing of the petition in family law court in the county where you have resided for the past three of the six preceding months from the date of the petition filing.  You will not be deemed divorced (or your marital status terminated) earlier than six months after your spouse is served with the petition.  Your dissolution/legal separation will be finalized with a Judgment of Dissolution.  It is usually best for both parties to agree to a Marital Settlement Agreement to resolve most, if not all, issues.  When an issue cannot be resolved, a contested hearing (a trial) will likely be set in order to have a judge make an order on the unsettled issue (this can become costly and not necessarily recommended).