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Joint Petition Filing For Divorce in California

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 06:11:28 GMT

Senate Bill 1427 (SB 1427) proposes an additional way for the public to file jointly for a divorce. Prior to the introduction of SB 1427, a limited portion of the public did have the option to file a Summary Divorce, which is a joint filing with limitations.

Background: Joint Petition Filing in California

Briefly, in a Summary Divorce you cannot own real estate, you must adhere to property limitations and/or debts and have NO minor children, adopted children or unborn children of the marriage.

The new additional option to the court process gives broader leeway to the joint filing procedure to allow for children and property to be included. The SB 1427 removes existing barriers from the Summary Divorce, which is still available. Obviously, both parties must agree and file jointly. Joint filing is intended to streamline the legal process, but does it? Let's take a closer look.

As you know, I am not an attorney, so this is my opinion after a close review of the FL-700 Information Sheet for Joint Petition Filing provided by the Court. This is not a review of the "law" but rather my expertise as a Legal Document Assistant specializing in family law processing

PROS:

(1) In reviewing the process, I found one benefit. The date the Joint Petition is filed is considered the effective date of service, which eliminates the need to have the other party served. The mandatory time required by law to finalize any divorce in California is 6 months and one day from date of service.

CONS:

(1) Double Filing Fees . Both parties must pay separate filing fees . The current filing fees for two people are $870.00 , which is not required in a default case when one party files. (2) Fee Waiver . Both parties must qualify to obtain fee waivers.

(3) Double Disclosures . A joint filing requires each party to prepare Preliminary Disclosures (not required in a true default, only the Petitioner must provide full disclosures).

(4) Eliminates the Default Process Opportunity .

(5) Revokable Petition . Either party can revoke the Joint Petition before the court enters a judgment. Revoking the Joint Petition will not dismiss the case or revoke your general appearance. It will, however, move your case to a different process .

In Conclusion

While I appreciate the efforts of State of California to "try" and streamline and simplify the lengthy divorce process, in my humble opinion, I don't think it is going to be that effective. The winner is the Court . The Court now collects double court fees up front for an uncontested case. Ask yourself why? We already have a process; it is called a Default Divorce. When you file jointly, this opportunity is eliminated. In a default case, only the Petitioner pays the first appearance fee. Both parties can still enter into a Marital Agreement, but the Respondent does not have to pay a first appearance fee because there was no Response filed.

Pay attention to #5 above in red, the "different process" the Court is talking about is taking you backwards.

Now, you are at-issue (contested) and the only way to bring your case back full circle is with a marital agreement; otherwise, you are headed for the trial calendar. It gets complicated. Before you take this step, I urge you to call Divorce City to discuss your particular situation. Remember, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Disclaimer:  Divorce City 911  are not attorneys and is a legal document service that is owned and operated by Patti Johnson, registered in Kern County, California LDA #105. The contents contained in this blog are the opinions of the author and should not be construed as legal advice. Anyone seeking legal advice must consult with an attorney licensed by the State of California.

Why Is My Divorce Case Dragging On Forever?

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 02:28:05 GMT

In California, while there is a mandatory six-month waiting period before a divorce can be finalized, a spouse's lack of cooperation can significantly drag out the process.

There is no specific limit on how long a spouse can delay a divorce, but the court has mechanisms to manage uncooperative behavior and ensure case progress. It just takes a long time and a lot more money.

I get calls from people who are so frustrated with the court system because their divorce is going on for years and years to no end. Whenever I get a call from anyone where there is a case pending, I look up the case docket to see the case status and what documents have been filed. By doing so, it gives me a pretty clear picture of what has transpired between the parties. I should clarify that if an attorney represents you, the inquiry stops there as it is unethical for me to discuss your case with you while being represented by a lawyer. However, putting that aside, the court docket does reflect what is on file with the court to date in chronological order.

Your case can drag on for many reasons, uncontested divorces (where parties agree on all issues) can be processed and finalized much faster, while contested divorces, involving disagreements on key issues like property division, child custody, or support, can take much longer, even years.

Pre-Trial Motions : Let's say your spouse in refusing to cooperate. The only way to move your case forward is to file motions to compel responses, which can take months to resolve. This is where many people get frustrated due to countless pre-trial motions and numerous continuances. The attorneys love this because they bill the client by the hour. Hearings are continued for numerous reasons depleting your wallet and adding to your frustration and disappointment in the legal system.

The court can issue Orders to ensure compliance with discovery requests, set deadlines for specific actions, make Temporary Orders for child custody and support orders during the time your case is in process. The problem is your assets are being eaten away with costly legal fees. The average person cannot afford this long, drug-out process. This all occurs before you even get a trial date. You can't go to trial until all of the discovery has been completed and your attorneys are "ready for trial". Keep in mind that complex financial situations, high-value assets, or intricate custody arrangements significantly contribute to extending the process as well.

I can't tell you how many calls I get where the people either run out of money; don't have any fight left in them; have decided it would be better to come to an agreement; and just want to get their divorce finalized! I am a strong advocate for mediation for this very reason. In the end, my opinion is that it is better for YOU to take charge and resolve your family issues than a third party. Before running to file with a lawyer, do your homework, get an attorney consultation, and try to come to a resolve outside of court and above all . . . never file in anger.

Beware Of Online Divorce Services!

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 19:05:55 GMT

Why low-cost digital solutions often create bigger problems in California divorces

While online divorce services in California are thought to be a convenient and cost-effective option for uncontested divorces, they have several significant drawbacks, particularly in more complex cases.

Of course, I must clarify that I am coming from a one-sided point of view. So many people have contacted me after the fact to complete their divorce because it has gone nowhere. These services often lack the personal guidance and legal expertise needed to navigate issues such as child custody, spousal support, or Retirements Plans. Additionally, there's a big risk of errors in paperwork resulting in your documents being rejected with limited recourse.

While online divorce services promise convenience and cost savings, it's important to weigh these advantages against potential risks. Not every situation is best served with a digital solution, especially when the stakes are high or circumstances are complicated.

Another issue is that Users may encounter technical difficulties, or the platform may not be user-friendly, adding to more stress and frustration.

Divorce City has been around for over a decade with twenty years of experience to back it up. In the beginning, I was advised by an expert in search engine optimization (SEO) to offer online divorces at a low-cost to keep up with the ever-increasing competition. I did not heed his advice and still hold that the online services have a high risk of failure in completing the divorce process, with noted exceptions. This is a harsh truth, but the response I received from the SEO guy was, "who cares, you already have their money". This is not the kind of business I want to offer to the public for any price. Customer service has always been my highest priority, and I do not want to surrender my conscience to the world of high-tech.

What the Public Does Not Know. It's harder than it looks. I understand from your point of view; you and your spouse are in total agreement so it should be easy. Consider for a minute, every County has its own set of local court rules and local court forms. In addition, many of the branches within the same County have their own quirks that would be accepted in one branch and rejected in another. And I am just speaking about Kern County, California. So, it makes it almost impossible for an arm's length, online discount divorce service to prepare your documents accurately. Therefore, your documents get rejected repeatedly.

My customers who have brought online documents to my office, the documents did not even have the correct courthouse information in the caption. A complete waste of money. Ask yourself, what is my recourse? Very little, your money is gone, and you're stuck with documents that just get tossed in the trash. My point is that online services may not be significantly less expensive when taking into consideration all the problems that can and will develop given the lack of personal legal assistance. Errors in paperwork, incorrect information, or filing in the wrong jurisdiction can cause delays or even dismissal of the case.

In many instances, what appears to be a straightforward, amicable split can quickly become tangled in legal uncertainties or unexpected disputes. The absence of a knowledgeable person can mean critical issues are overlooked, leaving parties unprepared for the complexities that often arise in mid-process. Even if both individuals begin in agreement, shifting circumstances or misunderstandings may turn an uncontested matter into a contested one, further complicating the legal proceedings.

Divorce can be emotionally challenging, and the lack of professional support can exacerbate the stress. Divorce City is there to help you through this most difficult process. There is no charge for a telephone consultation. Find out if we can help you.

Don't Hesitate . . . Mediate and Save Thousands of $$$

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 19:10:38 GMT

Introduction

Family law disputes, such as divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division, are inherently complex—legally, emotionally, and financially. When couples or families face such challenges, they must decide how to resolve their disputes. This can be a choice by the parties to sit down together and lay out a parenting plan, decide how to divide their assets and debts, support issues etc. OR the parties can elect to work through a third party to aid in the communication process sometimes called mediation.

Can an LDA Save You Money---YES!

 Divorce City 911  applies a low-cost mediation approach to assist individuals to determine a fair and equitable solution to divorce or legal separation. This has proven to be most effective where parties are mainly in agreement and recognize the high cost of hiring attorneys for litigation; hard-earned money that could be saved for their own bank accounts or retirement.

After providing self-help services to the public for many years and establishing a solid reputation in the community, I did not accomplish this alone. Throughout the years, I have relied upon reputable family law attorneys to provide legal advice to my customers to aid in the process. Since I cannot give legal advice, I often refer people to an attorney for consultation to provide legal counsel when needed to proceed uncontested. The attorney consultation fee is well worth it. A self-help service can only work with your help and at your direction. Divorce City 911 works hand in hand with attorneys and other third-party professionals to make your case processes through the court system as smoothly as possible. The purpose of an attorney consultation is to get answers to legal questions; you have no commitment or obligation to hire at that point.

Before Hiring an Attorney , Call  Divorce City 911  . Our goal is to reach a mutually acceptable agreement on the issues at hand. If in our initial conversation, it is apparent there is no reasonable way to resolve your marital issues, I would strongly recommend and encourage you to consult with an attorney specializing in family law.

Litigation may be the best or only choice you have when one party refuses to participate or negotiate in good faith. The point I am attempting to make is be sure to weigh the time and cost of litigation and never file in anger.

Should You Hire an Attorney? Some cases are headed for trial regardless of the issues involved. However, many of those people naively do not realize the attorney retainer is just for starters and gone in a flash. Then, the average $450 to $500 hourly rate kicks into gear. Every phone call, email or any contact with your attorney is billable. Court rejections . . . you pay to correct mistakes, no matter where the fault lies, it is all billable hours. Legal fees accumulate into thousands and thousands of dollars. In extremely difficult cases, you may have no choice but to litigate with attorneys.

What attorneys don't tell you is when you run out of money, you run out of access to your lawyer. The attorney can then file a motion to withdraw as your attorney of record. Now you are on your own, which is where I usually get a call. You cannot expect your lawyer to work for "free", so it is important to know how your attorney fees are used and if your money is being used wisely.

The LDA Practice . Let's face it, the average person just can't afford it. Hence, the only alternative to high-cost legal fees are document preparation services like Divorce City 911. Remember, all doc prep services are not created equal, do your homework and check ratings and reviews.

In Conclusion. Each family’s circumstances are unique. Factors such as the nature of the dispute, the parties’ willingness to communicate, the complexity of the issues, and support obligations all play a role in making appropriate choices for you and your family.

(661) 868-9606

How to Avoid Family Law Pitfalls

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:15:08 GMT

Filing paperwork with the Kern County Family Law Court can be a daunting process, especially for those unfamiliar with the intricate rules and procedures that govern family law cases. Whether you’re seeking a divorce, custody arrangement, support modification, or any other family law relief, avoiding rejections is crucial in ensuring your case progresses with minimal delays.

Understanding Court Processing

Before diving into specific avoidance strategies, it’s important to understand why the court may reject documents. A rejection signifies that your paperwork was not accepted for filing due to errors, omissions, or noncompliance with local or state rules. Common reasons for rejections include incorrect forms, incomplete information, improper formatting, missing signatures, nonpayment of fees, and failure to provide necessary attachments. The Court Clerks have good intentions, but I can't tell you how many countless cases I have become involved in where the consumer was completely misdirected about what to do next. In many cases, it cost the person money that could have been avoided. I see this repeatedly.

Real Life Example in Divorce. The Clerk telling a Respondent the next step is to file a Response to the Petition, which also incurs a filing fee or first appearance fee. The Clerk is probably not aware you are NOT contesting the case and therefore no response is needed. If you agree with the information contained in the Petition, by filing a Response you block the opportunity to allow the matter to proceed as a default. Now you have created a bigger mess that needs to be addressed.

In the Clerk's defense. The Clerk's job is not to inquire whether or not you agree with your spouse or ask a series of questions to better inform you, just simply pass you a packet of information to respond to your divorce. The Clerks are overwhelmed and do not have time to listen to your "story" or get the details of your particular situation.

Personal Story . When I was new to law many years ago and working for an attorney, I was very worried about making a mistake and had a mental block that was holding me back. My attorney told me not to worry so much about making a mistake because there was always a way to correct or fix it with the Court, it just takes a lot more time and effort. The point of my story is that the more you play in the court attempting to do your own divorce, it makes fixing your mistakes much more time-consuming and complicated than just doing it right from the start. I encourage you to call me before you attempt to do your own divorce. It is my humble opinion that most people cannot successfully complete their own divorce. Most people can do the first step but fail on the rest. Ask yourself a simple question . . . could a person with no prior training or experience do your job? Most of the time common sense will tell you NO!

Don't take my word for it . . . ask the Clerk for ALL THE PACKETS that are required to complete an uncontested divorce, that in itself should be enough to discourage anyone. I will even give you a big tip should you still wish to file yourself . . . in a default case, whatever you file on the Petition must be an exact match on the remainder of the divorce documents through final judgment. No changes at all or you will get a rejection. All the wording must match, exactly. All captions on all the documents must match exactly. If you use a middle name in the initial filing, you must do the same in all subsequent filings. It is not your fault if you find this process difficult. The Court leads people to believe it is a simple step-by-step process. Just fill out a packet and check boxes, how easy is that? But that is only the beginning of the courthouse nightmare. Even if you do successfully complete the first packet, many times, although filed, there are errors or changes you want to make or need to be addressed after the fact. That is the beginning of another problem to fix, and the list goes on.

Conclusion

Avoiding rejections in Kern County Family Law Court is both an art and a science, requiring attention to detail, careful preparation, and a thorough understanding of local court requirements.

 Divorce City 911  is a legal document preparation company, registered and bonded in the County of Kern. With 20 years of experience and training, you should start by calling an expert. There is no cost to make the call. One call can save you countless hours running back and forth to the courthouse. Ask yourself, how much is my time worth?

Disclaimer: Divorce City 911 are not attorneys and is a legal document service that is owned and operated by Patti Johnson, registered in Kern County, California LDA #105. The contents contained in this blog are the opinions of the author and should not be construed as legal advice. Anyone seeking legal advice must consult with an attorney licensed by the State of California.