Affordable Help with Uncontested Divorce or Legal Separation
Project-Based Approach
Convenient and Easy
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Convenient Assistance with Your Uncontested Divorce or Legal Separation
We make it easy to move forward with your divorce or legal separation when you and your spouse are able to agree on the major issues of your case. We’ll walk you through the process, assist with case initiation, mandatory financial disclosures, case procedure, and then a final judgment by agreement.
We’ll ensure that your court paperwork is prepared and filed correctly to avoid unnecessary delay.
Remember, an uncontested divorce means that you and your spouse agree on all the key terms: property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and if you have children, custody, visitation, and child support. The court does not need to decide these issues for you. But the court does need to see that the proper procedures were followed and that the agreement is fair and complete.
The Law Office of Dan Sweeney provides affordable, limited-scope assistance for self-represented litigants working through uncontested divorce in California. We help you prepare your paperwork, complete your financial disclosures, and put position your case to obtain a prompt and comprehensive divorce or legal separation judgment.
Common Projects
Custody or Visitation Orders
We review your circumstances, discuss options, and help with paperwork.
Learn more about California custody and visitation →Child Support Requests
We review your circumstances, run guideline calculations and assist with necessary paperwork.
Learn more about California child support →Written Discovery
We review your evidentiary needs, create a discovery plan and assist in drafting requests.
Learn more about California discovery requests→New Divorce/Legal Separation
We introduce you to the process, answer your questions, and assist with initial paperwork.
Learn more about California divorce and legal separation →Mandatory Financial Disclosures
We help organize your information and ensure your financial paperwork is completed properly.
Learn more about California’s mandatory financial disclosures →Divorce or Separation Judgment
We help you obtain your final judgment and assist with the necessary paperwork.
Learn more obtaining a California judgment of divorce →Why Professional Help Matters in an Uncontested Divorce
Many people assume that because they agree on everything, their divorce or legal separation will be simple. The substance of the agreement itself may be straightforward, but the paperwork and procedure rarely are. California requires a specific sequence of filings, mandatory financial disclosures from both parties, and a final judgment package that must conform to the court’s requirements.
Common mistakes that delay uncontested divorces include incomplete Income and Expense Declarations, missing or improperly completed Schedule of Assets and Debts, failure to properly serve the Petition on the other party, incorrect calculation of the six-month waiting period, and judgment packages that do not match the terms of the marital settlement agreement.
Our uncontested divorce or legal separation sessions can help avoid these pitfalls. Our limited-scope, project-based approach offers professional assistance short of hiring a full-service attorney or paying thousands of dollars in fees for a case both parties hope to resolve cooperatively.
Simple Flat Fee Pricing
- ✓ Experienced and thoughtful assistance
- ✓ Trustworthy advice and direction
- ✓ Assistance preparing necessary documents
- ✓ Filing and service instructions. Add-on services for filing and service available at additional cost.
- ✓ No retainer or ongoing commitment
*Discount of $50 available to litigants with an active fee waiver order or current qualification under sections 5a or 5b of the Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001). Use coupon code FEEWAIVER when booking your session.
How It Works
Schedule
Visit our booking page and book a video conference session. Pick the day and time that works best for you.
Prepare
Ensure relevant info and documents are available. Jot down notes to discuss. Be organized.
Attend
We’ll discuss your goals and options, and prepare the forms you’ll need to move forward.
The Uncontested Divorce Process in California
Even when both parties agree, California requires specific steps to finalize a divorce. Here is what the process involves:
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on complexity. A straightforward, uncontested divorce will typically require at least two 90-minute sessions to cover initial pleadings and financial disclosures before a final 120-minute session is scheduled by our office. Some cases require additional sessions. During our initial session we’ll discuss issues and expectations.
You are not required to have an attorney, but the paperwork must still be done correctly for the court to approve your judgment. Incomplete financial disclosures, incorrectly calculated support, or a missing form can delay your case significantly. Working with an attorney on a limited-scope basis helps ensure your paperwork is right the first time.
In a true default, the Respondent does not file a Response and does not participate. The Petitioner can proceed to judgment without the Respondent’s involvement once 30 days have passed from the date of valid service. In an uncontested divorce, both parties participate and enter into a stipulated judgment or marital settlement agreement that is submitted to the court with the judgment. We can help you determine which approach is best for your situation and prepare the appropriate paperwork.
That question, in part, depends on the parties ability to move their case forward diligently. Assuming the parties’ act with all possible speed, a judgment of divorce can be entered within a few weeks or months of case initiation. Please note, that any such judgment does not terminate marital status at the time the judgment is entered. Marital status cannot be terminated until six months and one day have passed from the date the Respondent is served or formally appears in the case, whichever comes first. In practice, many uncontested divorces take longer because of unexpected delays and paperwork issues. Getting everything prepared correctly from the beginning is the best way to finalize your divorce as close to the six-month mark as possible.
If you agree on most issues but have one or two unresolved areas, we can help you understand your options for resolving those remaining points. In some cases, a conversation about the law and likely outcomes can help you reach an agreement. If the parties are truly at an impasse, a focused Request for Order hearing may be a better way to address a singular issue than an all encompassing trial.
About Dan
Dan Sweeney brings more than 20 years of California family law experience to every session.
- ✓ Former manager of the San Diego Superior Court Family Law Facilitator’s Office
- ✓ Assisted thousands of self-represented litigants in a wide array of issues
- ✓ Over ten years experience representing clients in divorce and custody litigation
- ✓ Understands what your judicial officer is looking for and where self-represented litigants often fall short
Need Help with Your Case?
Book a 90-minute session and get affordable, convenient and professional help from an experienced California family law attorney. No expensive retainer and no ongoing commitment.
Book a Session Call 619-878-8385