Start Your Divorce: File the Petition
Prepare and file the paperwork needed to officially open your California divorce case — whether you're filing alone (standard petition) or together with your spouse (joint petition).
This package covers Stage 1 of the divorce process.
File the Petition
Officially open your divorce case with the court.
Financial Disclosures
Exchange required financial forms with your spouse.
Sold separately
Build the Judgment
Prepare the final judgment paperwork for the court.
Sold separately
Divorce Finalized
The court enters your judgment and your divorce is complete.
Sold separately
What this package covers
- Guided interview for preparing your divorce petition — standard or joint
- Standard petition: Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and Summons with required attachments
- Joint petition pathway: for couples filing together as co-petitioners, with required attachments
- Proof of Service of Summons for standard petition filers
- Plain-English guidance through necessary court processes, like filing and service
- Ability to save progress and return to your application at any time
- Downloadable PDF court forms ready for your review and signature for filing
Is this package right for you?
This may be a good fit if:
- You are legally married (not in a domestic partnership)
- The divorce petition has not yet been filed
- At least one of you has lived in California for at least 6 months and in your county for at least 3 months prior to filing the divorce petition
- Neither of you is currently represented by an attorney
- You don't currently need temporary court orders for custody or support
- You understand that court filing fees are not included
This may not be the right fit if:
- Note: While dissolutions of domestic partnerships use similar forms and processes to divorces, our software is currently built to accommodate marriage dissolutions only.
- Either spouse is represented by an attorney
- You need temporary orders for custody or support right now
- Your case involves minor children — you are responsible for confirming your county's specific local requirements
Works for all case types.You don't need to know how your case will end up to get started with the petition. This package works whether your case is uncontested, a default, or contested — opening the case is the first step regardless.
How it works
- 1
Take the eligibility quiz
Confirm your situation qualifies for this package.
- 2
Create your secure account
Your case information is stored privately and securely.
- 3
Complete the guided interview
Answer plain-English questions about your situation.
- 4
Download and review your forms
Review everything carefully before filing with the court.
Not legal advice. U Do It Legal prepares court forms based on your answers — we do not provide legal advice or representation. If you need an attorney, we strongly recommend consulting one.
Primary Forms
California Judicial Council forms generated based on your answers.
Ready to begin?
Start with the free eligibility quiz — takes about 2 minutes.