Before You File Checklist

A California divorce preparation worksheet

Important boundary

This checklist is preparation and organization only. It does not tell you what legal position to take, what property steps to take, or what orders to request.

1. Identify the process you are using

Regular petition-and-response divorce

2026 joint-petition process (FL-700 / FL-710)

Summary dissolution

Legal separation

Not sure - compare the official California Courts paths before using a filing packet

2. Check residency and county

Check the California residency rule that applies to your process

Identify the county you expect to use

Check the Superior Court's current Family Division page

Check for local forms, filing locations, and e-filing instructions

3. Gather the basic case facts

Marriage or domestic-partnership date

Separation date, or note that you are not sure

Full legal names and current contact information

Existing family, custody, support, restraining-order, or other court cases

Any case numbers or signed orders you already have

4. If children are involved

Children's basic information

Recent address history

Existing custody or parenting-time orders

School, child-care, health-insurance, and recurring child-related information

Upcoming custody, mediation, or court dates

Check whether CPS / Child Welfare / Juvenile Dependency Court is currently involved

5. Gather financial records

Recent income records and tax information

Bank, investment, retirement, and pension statements

Credit-card, loan, mortgage, and other debt records

Real-property, vehicle, business, and major-asset information

Health insurance, child-care, and recurring household expense information

6. Before submitting anything

Check the current filing fee or fee-waiver process

Check local forms and filing instructions

For a regular petition, plan for service by a qualified nonparty adult

If safety, restraining-order, or dependency issues exist, use the specialized court resources before relying on an ordinary divorce checklist