It is normal for divorcing couples in Los Angeles to want the process to be over as quickly and painlessly as possible. However, many cases are complicated, especially if they involve minor children or high-value assets. While every case is unique, reviewing the average timeline of a typical divorce in LA could give you a better idea of what to expect in the coming months.
Filing the Petition: Day 1
On day one of a divorce case in Los Angeles, one of the spouses will become the Petitioner by filing the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form FL-100). This document will be filled out and submitted to the local Los Angeles County Superior Court. The petition paperwork must then be served on the other spouse, who will become known as the Respondent.
Response Deadline: Day 30
Upon receiving the Summons paperwork, the Respondent will have 30 calendar days to file a formal response. The Response is the recipient’s way of showing that he or she wants to be involved in the divorce process. It can counter the initial terms set forth in the petition to begin settlement negotiations with the Petitioner.
Even if the Respondent agrees with all of the proposed terms, he or she should file a response to participate in the next steps of the divorce. If there is no response within 30 days, the Petitioner can ask the court for a default divorce judgment. This is a divorce process that excludes the Respondent from having a say in terms such as child custody and property division.
Financial Disclosures: Months 1-3
Once the initial paperwork has been filed and received, both parties must fulfill California’s financial disclosure requirement. This is a sharing of financial information between both parties. Specific financial documents must be filled out and sent to either party. This must be done by the Petitioner within 60 days of filing the Petition and by the Respondent within 60 days of filing the Response.
Minimum Total Time: 6 Months
If a divorce is uncontested, meaning both spouses agree on the terms of the divorce, it can generally be finalized within around six to eight months. Divorce settlement negotiations when both spouses are cooperative will generally not take longer than one year from start to finish. The minimum amount of time a divorce will take in Los Angeles is six months from the time the Petition is filed, as this is the mandatory waiting period under state law.
Contested Divorce Cases: 1 Year or Longer
It is common for divorcing couples in California to struggle when it comes to working together and agreeing on the terms of a divorce. If a settlement agreement cannot be reached, it is known as a “contested divorce.” These cases may require extended mediation, arbitration or a divorce trial in Los Angeles County.
A high-conflict divorce in Los Angeles could take one year, two years or even longer to reach a resolution. The timeline will depend on the length of the discovery phase, the number of depositions and court hearings required, and whether or not the couple can achieve a pre-trial settlement.
How to Speed Up Your Divorce in Los Angeles
You can make your Los Angeles divorce case as fast, efficient and stress-free as possible while still achieving your individual goals by hiring an experienced LA divorce lawyer to represent you. The right divorce attorney or Certified Family Law Specialist will have all of the experience and resources to effectively handle your divorce with minimal downtime.
Begin your Los Angeles divorce process today by contacting Boyd Law for a initial consultation over the phone or at our local Los Angeles law office.
