If you wish to use the summary dissolution procedure, you must, at the time you file the joint petition, sign a statement
that says you have read and understood this booklet. It is important for you to read the whole booklet very carefully.
Save this booklet for at least six months if you decide to start a summary dissolution. If you decide you want to stop the
summary dissolution process and revoke your petition, it will tell you how to do that.
have been married and/or in a domestic partnership five years or less (this means that the time between the date
you married or registered your domestic partnership and the date you separated from your spouse or partner is
five years or less);
I . WHAT IS THIS BOOKLET ABOUT?
This booklet describes a way to end a marriage, a domestic partnership, or both through a kind of divorce called
summary dissolution.
The official word for divorce in California is dissolution. There are two ways of getting a divorce, or dissolution, in
California. The usual way is called a regular dissolution.
Summary dissolution is a shorter and easier way. But not everybody can use it. Briefly, a summary dissolution is possible
for couples who
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do not owe very much;
do not want spousal or partner support from each other; and
With this procedure, you will not have to appear in court. You may not need a lawyer, but it is in your best interest to see a
lawyer about the ending of your marriage or domestic partnership. See page 19 for more details about how a lawyer can
help you.
For a summary dissolution, you prepare and file a Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution (form FL-800), together with a
property settlement agreement,* with the superior court clerk in your county. You will also prepare and turn in a Judgment
of Dissolution and Notice of Entry of Judgment (form FL-825). Your divorce, ending your marriage and/or your domestic
partnership, will be final six months after you file your Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution. During the six months while
you wait for your divorce to become final, either of you can stop the process of summary dissolution if you change your
mind. One of you can file a Notice of Revocation of Petition for Summary Dissolution (form FL-830), and that will stop the
divorce. If either one of you still wants to get divorced, then that person will have to file for a regular dissolution with a
Petition—Marriage/Domestic Partnership (form FL-100) unless you both agree to start a new summary dissolution
process.
This booklet will tell you
1. who can use the summary dissolution procedure;
2. what steps you must take to get a summary dissolution;
3. when it would help to see a lawyer; and
4. what risks you take when you use this procedure rather than the regular dissolution procedure.
SPECIAL WARNING
If you are an undocumented person who became a lawful permanent resident on the basis of your marriage to a U.S.
citizen or to a lawful permanent resident, obtaining a dissolution within two years of your marriage may lead to your
deportation. You should consult a lawyer before obtaining a divorce.
IMPORTANT! Domestic partners who qualify for a summary dissolution can choose to use the process described in this
booklet OR a special summary dissolution for domestic partners through the California Secretary of State. You can find
the California Secretary of State forms at www.sos.ca.gov. There is no filing fee for this process. If you choose to file
to terminate your domestic partnership through the Secretary of State, do not use this guide.
* A property settlement agreement is an agreement that the two of you write or have someone write for you after you fill out the worksheets in this
booklet. The agreement spells out how you will divide what you own and what you owe.
have no disagreements about how their belongings and their debts are going to be divided up once they are no
longer married to or in a domestic partnership with each other.
do not own very much;
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have no children together;