How a California divorce actually works.
The TL;DR version is: file paperwork, serve your spouse, wait six months, file more paperwork, get divorced. The state can't make the 6-month wait shorter — but Amie can make every other part take less of your day.
Step by step
- 01
Open the chat
Click the chat bubble. Tell Amie what's going on. She'll ask one question to figure out where you are: just considering, decided but not started, ready to file, or already filing. No account, no credit card to talk.
- 02
Get the lay of the land
Amie explains the California divorce process in plain English — residency rules (6 months in CA + 3 months in your county), the 6-month mandatory waiting period, what forms exist, what serving means, and what default vs. agreement looks like.
- 03
Bring it to your phone (optional)
After a few useful exchanges, Amie offers to text you so you can keep going from your phone. Drop your number and the conversation continues by SMS / iMessage / RCS — same Amie, same context, on whatever screen you have open at 11 p.m.
- 04
When you're ready, fill out forms
Amie walks you through the required CA forms — FL-100 Petition, FL-110 Summons, FL-141 Disclosure, FL-165 Default request, FL-170 Default declaration, FL-180 Judgment, FL-190 Notice. If you have minor children, FL-105 (UCCJEA) and the custody paperwork too.
- 05
Pay only when you commit
Consultation chat is always free, even if you have kids. When you're ready to file an uncontested divorce, the package is $199. The dedicated With Kids package ($499) launches soon with our partner family-law firm — until then, kids cases stay in free chat and Amie can introduce you to a vetted attorney if you need hands-on help.
- 06
Receive your forms
Completed PDFs land in your inbox. Court-ready. Validated against California Judicial Council requirements before generation, so you don't get bounced at the clerk window for a missing checkbox.
- 07
File at your county courthouse
Amie tells you exactly which courthouse, which clerk window, and how much the filing fee is. Fee waiver instructions if your income is low.
- 08
Serve your spouse
You can't serve them yourself. Amie explains your options: spouse signs FL-117 voluntarily, hire a process server (~$50), or use the sheriff. Three forms get filed afterward.
- 09
Wait. (Six months.)
California requires a 6-month waiting period from the date your spouse is served. There is no way to speed this up. Amie checks in periodically with reminders for next steps.
- 10
Finalize
After 6 months, Amie helps you submit the judgment paperwork (FL-170 Default declaration + FL-180 Judgment + FL-190 Notice). The court signs the judgment. You're divorced.