You got married with one piece of paper.
Divorcing in California might take 30. Sometimes 100. Sometimes more. And if you have never seen a California judicial form before, the names and numbers can feel like a foreign language.
The good news: you do not have to figure this out alone. This post walks you through the core California divorce forms you need to get your case started, in plain language, without the overwhelm.
Start Here: The California Judicial Council Website
Before we get into specific forms, one resource deserves a mention: the California Courts Self-Help Guide.
It is genuinely useful. You can answer a few questions about your situation, and it will walk you through the steps that apply to you. If your circumstances are a little complicated, it adjusts. It is a good place to begin, especially if you are not sure yet what you are even dealing with.
The Core Forms to Start Your Divorce
California uses standardized judicial forms. They are free, they are online, and once you understand what each one does, the process starts to feel less impossible.
Here is what you need to file first.
FL-100: The Petition
The FL-100 is your petition for divorce or legal separation.
One thing many people do not realize: the forms for divorce and legal separation in California are the same. The process is the same. The difference is that at the end of a legal separation, you are still legally married.
The petition is how you officially tell the court you are starting this process. It asks for basic information: the county where you live, how long you have been a resident of California (at least six months) and of that county (at least three months), the date of your marriage, the date of separation, and the names and ages of any minor children.
If you have an adult child with significant special needs who will require ongoing care, you will include them here as well.
The petition also covers spousal support (California does not use the word alimony), community property, and separate property.
The person who files the petition is called the petitioner. The other spouse is the respondent. This is not criminal court. There is no plaintiff or defendant. You are petitioning the court for a divorce, and your spouse is responding to that petition.
FL-110: The Summons
The summons accompanies the petition. It formally notifies your spouse that you have started the divorce process.
The FL-110 also activates something important: ATROs, or Automatic Temporary Restraining Orders. These go into effect the moment the summons is issued.
ATROs prohibit both spouses from doing certain things during the divorce process. You cannot take minor children out of state. You cannot move or hide assets. You cannot cancel health insurance. These restrictions apply to both parties automatically, without a judge having to order them.
FL-105: The UCCJEA
If you have minor children, you are required to file the FL-105, commonly called the UCCJEA.
The full name is the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act declaration. Every state has a version of this form. What it does is document where your children have lived over the past five years and with whom.
It is not complicated to fill out, but it is required. Do not skip it.
Local Court Forms
Many California courts also have their own local forms, separate from the statewide judicial forms.
What these forms usually want to confirm is that you are filing in the right court. They ask for basic identifying information, your address, your spouse’s address, and which courthouse you intend to file in.
Not every county requires local forms, and the requirements can change. If you are not sure whether your court has a local form, ask.
Your Best Resource at the Courthouse: The Family Law Clerk
Every courthouse with a family law department has clerks who can help you.
They cannot give you legal advice. But they can tell you which forms you need, explain what a notice means, walk you through what the court is asking for, and answer questions about how your specific courthouse processes paperwork.
One word of advice: be kind to them.
They are doing a lot, they are dealing with a lot, and they can genuinely make your experience easier. In this author’s experience, a little warmth goes a long way.
What Comes After Filing
Getting your case started is just the first step. From here, the process includes serving your spouse, completing financial disclosures, reaching an agreement on the terms of your divorce, and documenting that agreement with the court.
Each step has its own forms and requirements. It is a process, not a single event.
If you are co-parenting a child with special needs, the stakes at each step can feel even higher. The decisions you make now about custody, support, and care plans will shape your child’s life. Getting the paperwork right matters.
You Have Options for Getting Help
You do not have to do this alone, and you do not necessarily need a full attorney to get started.
A few paths:
The Judicial Council website. Free, thorough, and a solid starting point for most people. Visit California Courts Self-Help to begin.
The self-help desk at your local courthouse. Family law clerks can answer procedural questions and point you in the right direction. Find courthouse locations and hours on the California Courts website.
A legal document assistant (LDA). An LDA is a registered professional who can help you complete your forms correctly, check the right boxes, and e-file your documents so you can avoid unnecessary courthouse trips. An LDA is not an attorney and does not provide legal advice, but they can take a significant amount of the paperwork burden off your plate.
For California family law resources and self-help tools, the California Courts Self-Help Center is a reliable reference.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you are a parent navigating divorce while caring for a child with special needs, you already have a lot on your mind. The paperwork does not have to be one more thing you are managing alone.
If you have questions about where to start, what forms apply to your situation, or how a legal document assistant or mediator might be able to help, you are welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call. No pressure, just a conversation.