Two-Attorney Review for California Divorce, Parenting & Financial Decisions
California uses dissolution of marriage as the legal term for divorce. Ending a marriage or domestic partnership may require decisions about property and debt division, financial disclosures, child custody and parenting time, child support, and spousal support. At our firm, we help families throughout Los Angeles County understand these connected issues and determine what requires immediate attention.
Some spouses resolve their differences through negotiation, mediation, or a written agreement. When important issues remain contested, court involvement may be necessary. Our founding attorney, Edwin Castellanos, leads our work in divorce and related family law matters, and we provide counsel in English and Spanish.
A California divorce generally begins with filing and serving the required papers. The spouses then exchange financial information and address property, debt, support, and any child-related issues. If they reach an agreement, the terms can be submitted to the court with the final judgment documents. Disputed matters may require hearings or other court proceedings.
According to California Courts, a divorce takes at least six months to finish. The actual timeline can be longer depending on financial complexity, parenting disputes, court scheduling, and whether the spouses can agree on the terms.
Residency & Available Case Types
In general, one spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in the county where the case is filed for at least three months. A person who doesn’t yet meet those requirements may need to consider legal separation before later seeking a dissolution.
California also recognizes summary dissolution, a simplified process available only to qualifying couples, and annulment, which asks the court to treat a marriage or domestic partnership as legally invalid. Eligibility and procedural requirements differ, so the appropriate path depends on the circumstances.
Joint Petitions in Los Angeles County
Beginning January 1, 2026, Los Angeles County offers a joint petition pathway for spouses or domestic partners who fully agree on property, support, and child-related issues. This option may apply to qualifying dissolution or legal separation cases, but both parties must agree on all required terms. It isn’t a substitute for resolving contested issues or obtaining advice about the legal and financial effect of an agreement.
Property, support, and parenting decisions can affect one another. We evaluate these issues together so that clients can consider both immediate concerns and the terms required to complete their dissolution.
Serving the Spanish-Speaking Community
Clear communication with legal counsel is essential to the client-attorney relationship. At Castellanos & Associates, APLC, our Spanish-speaking clients can speak candidly with their family law lawyer without the barrier of an interpreter.
Our lead attorney, Edwin Castellanos, speaks Spanish fluently, allowing him to communicate directly with our Latino and Hispanic clients. Additionally, we have Spanish webpages available for individuals who are more comfortable reading in Spanish.
Ending a marriage or domestic partnership is a major life decision. Still, you shouldn’t have to remain in an irreparable or destructive situation. Whether your divorce is amicable or contested, we can help you evaluate the legal, financial, and parenting decisions involved.
The need for a divorce attorney may depend on the level of disagreement, the property and debt involved, support questions, parenting concerns, or whether the other spouse has counsel. We can help organize the issues, explain available options, respond to procedural requirements, negotiate proposed terms, and prepare for court when necessary.
Efficient Resolution with Court Readiness
We prioritize our clients’ best interests and avoid unnecessary litigation that could increase a family’s financial burden. We first pursue efficient resolution through informed agreement when possible. If court involvement becomes necessary, we’re prepared to protect your rights.
Our approach to each case includes:
Review by at least two attorneys through our collaborative case-review model.
Respect for your input throughout the family law proceedings.
Accessible legal counsel that reflects our commitment to affordability.
Settlement & Financial Perspective
Edwin Castellanos, our managing partner, has practiced divorce and family law in California since 1996. He has served as a Settlement Officer and Mediator in the Family Court Law Division of the Los Angeles Superior Court. He also received Certificates of Appreciation connected with settlement officer service in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Before entering law, Edwin studied accounting at New York University’s Stern School of Business and worked in New York City’s financial district. That background is relevant when a dissolution involves identifying assets and debts, reviewing income information, evaluating property interests, or considering financial information related to support.
At Castellanos & Associates, APLC, we involve clients in decisions about negotiation, settlement, and court proceedings. Our role is to explain the available paths and help clients make informed choices based on their priorities and circumstances.
Discuss Your Divorce with Our Attorneys
A consultation gives you an opportunity to discuss your circumstances, immediate concerns, and possible next steps with a team that evaluates legal, financial, and parenting issues together. Free initial consultations are available virtually, and we provide services in English and Spanish.
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 323-212-5599 today!
Do I Need a Lawyer to Get a Divorce?
While it is possible to represent yourself in a divorce, it is highly recommended that you hire a divorce attorney in Los Angeles. This is because divorce/dissolution is a very complex legal process, and mistakes can have significant and lasting consequences. If you are getting a divorce, a divorce lawyer is necessary to ensure that the forms are correctly filled out and properly filed and that your interests are aggressively fought for at your court dates.
What Are Grounds for Divorce in California?
Historically, before 1969, there were “fault” based grounds available to obtain a divorce in California. For example, before the California legislature enacted the Family Law Act in 1969, a spouse could get a divorce by proving the other spouse was guilty of adultery, extreme cruelty (resulting in grievous bodily injury or grievous mental suffering), willful desertion, willful neglect, or habitual intemperance, or if the other spouse was convicted of a felony, or was incurably insane.
The emphasis on proving “fault” to get a divorce in California added to the bitterness between the spouses and sometimes even motivated spouses to divorce. This was especially true because a trial court had discretion, by statute, to award a so-called “innocent” spouse with more than half of the community property from the marital estate if it was proven that the divorce was based on adultery, extreme cruelty, or incurable insanity.
Thankfully, California has done away with the “fault” based concept of divorce in California. Today, people will generally use one of the two grounds available for getting a divorce or a judgment for marital dissolution in California:
Irreconcilable differences
Incurable insanity
What are the residency requirements for divorce in California?
Family Code § 2320 (a) requires that at least one party to the marriage must have:
Lived in California for at least six (6) months; and
Lived in the county where the case will be filed for three (3) months before the filing of the petition.
There is no residency requirement for a nullity or legal separation case. There is also no residency requirement for a California-registered domestic partnership. However, an out-of-state domestic partnership may be subject to the residency requirement in California when dissolving a domestic partnership that was established out of state.
Spouses who do not satisfy the residence requirements but who want to pursue divorce without delay have the option of filing for legal separation (as to which there is no minimum residence prerequisite) and then amending the petition to request a dissolution once the residence requirements are satisfied. In essence, spouses do not have to wait for the residency requirements to start their divorce case.
While the court cannot enter a judgment dissolving the marriage until the six-months/three-months residency requirements are met, it can immediately act on the petition for legal separation to make temporary orders regarding custody, visitations, child support and spousal support.
Lastly, serving the legal separation petition will also start the clock on the six-month "waiting period," which is the soonest that the parties could get divorced once a case has commenced.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Divorce in Los Angeles?
Due to the mandatory waiting period for divorce in California, the fastest you can get a divorce in Los Angeles County is 6 months. That does not mean that your divorce will only take 6 months, however, most divorces take longer, especially if they are contested and involve court dates for litigation. Speak with a Los Angeles divorce attorney at Castellanos & Associates, APLC to get a more accurate idea of how long your divorce might take in L.A. County.
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Divorce in Los Angeles County?
In Los Angeles County, it costs $435 to file for divorce. The fee to file a response is also $435. This is not the final cost, however, since no two divorce cases are the same. You will need to pay additional filing fees, court fees, and attorney fees before your divorce is finalized. Speak with an attorney about your situation in order to get a more accurate idea of how much your divorce in Los Angeles will cost.
What Is "Dissolution of Marriage" and How Is It Different from Divorce?
In California, "summary dissolution" is a simpler way to get a divorce. By getting a summary dissolution in Los Angeles, you will not need to talk to a judge. You will also not be required to hire a lawyer, but even the California Courts emphasize how important it is to consult a divorce lawyer if you are looking to end your marriage.
To qualify for a summary dissolution, you must meet these requirements:
Married for less than 5 years
No children together (including adopted and unborn)
No land or real buildings owned
No land or buildings rented (current residence excluded)
No more than $6,000 in debt owed since date of marriage (car loans excluded)
Less than $45,000 in separate property (cars excluded)
In agreement that there will be no spousal support
Signed agreement that includes division of property, cars, and debts
What Is the Difference Between Legal Separation and Divorce?
In California, legal separation allows you to live separate and apart while remaining legally married, while divorce/dissolution puts a final, legal end to your marriage.
Is It Okay to Use Social Media During My Divorce?
As Los Angeles divorce lawyers, we can tell you that there has been an increase in the use of social media as a source for obtaining evidence against an opposing spouse or party during divorce proceedings. As a result, we would rather not have clients using Facebook, Twitter and other social media during their family law cases to avoid posts, comments, and embarrassing moments caught on Facebook being used against against them.
Family Lawyer Magazine has published a terrific article on the use of Social Media during divorce proceedings entitled “Social Media In Divorce Proceedings,” written by Judge Michele Lowrance and Pamela J. Hutul. Also, in a study published by the University of Birmingham, we learned that information-sharing on Facebook could end some relationships.
How to File for Divorce in Los Angeles
To file for divorce in Los Angeles County, you will need to follow these steps:
Fill out the divorce forms - You will need FL-100 Petition and FL-110 Summons (also FL-105/GC-120 and FL-311, if you have children with your spouse). You can download the divorce forms or pick up divorce paperwork from the courthouse.
Review your paperwork - Make sure there are no errors and that all necessary information has been provided. This is an excellent reason to have a divorce attorney in Los Angeles when filing for divorce.
Make two (2) copies of all forms - One copy is for you, one is for your spouse, and one is for the court.
Serve your spouse - Someone age 18 or older (not yourself) must give or "serve" copies of the divorce papers to your spouse. This can be done by a friend or relative, but is often handled by a sheriff's deputy or process server. "Proof of service" (form FL-115) must be provided to the court.
