What Happens if Your Spouse Doesn’t Respond to Divorce Papers in Alameda? | Alameda Divorce

I’m Tim Blankenship of Divorce661. If you filed for divorce in Alameda County and your spouse hasn’t filed a response, you can still move forward — but there is a specific process you must follow to keep your case moving. This article explains how default divorces work in Alameda County, what paperwork you need, common pitfalls, and how we help clients finalize divorces quickly and correctly.

How default divorce works in Alameda County

After your spouse is served with divorce papers (or signs a notice of acknowledgement), California law gives them 30 days to file a response with the court. If they do not file a response within that timeframe, you are eligible to proceed with a default divorce. That means the court can approve the divorce without your spouse’s input.

However, a default divorce is not automatic. You must actively file the proper paperwork to request that the court enter default and then submit the documents the court needs to approve a judgment.

Step-by-step: What to file if your spouse doesn’t respond

1. Confirm service and timeline: Make sure your spouse was properly served or filed a notice of acknowledgement so the 30-day clock has started.
2. Wait 30 days: If no response is filed within 30 days, you can move forward.
3. File a Request to Enter Default: This is the formal request that tells the court your spouse failed to respond and asks the court to enter a default against them.
4. Submit financial disclosures: Alameda County requires accurate financial disclosures with default paperwork so the court can evaluate support, property division, and related issues.
5. Prepare and file a proposed Judgment: Provide the proposed final judgment and any supporting forms the court needs to finalize the divorce.
6. Use Alameda’s e-filing system: Most filings now go through the county’s e-filing system — make sure everything is completed and submitted according to local rules.

Common mistakes that stall default cases

• Failing to file the Request to Enter Default — many people assume the court will act on its own; it won’t.
• Missing or incorrect financial disclosures — incomplete paperwork leads to rejections.
• Improperly completed proposed judgements — technical errors can cause delays or denial.
• Not e-filing correctly — local e-filing rules and formatting matter.

We had a client in Alameda who waited months thinking the court was processing their divorce — but nothing had happened because no default request had been filed.

Real client example

We recently helped a client who had waited for months believing the court was handling their divorce. In reality, no one had filed the Request to Enter Default, so the case had stalled. We stepped in, prepared every required form, submitted the financial disclosures and proposed judgment through Alameda’s e-filing system, and had the judgment approved within a few weeks.

How Divorce661 can help

At Divorce661, we specialize in default divorce cases across Alameda County. If your spouse refuses to participate, we handle the entire process for you — from preparing every form to submitting them through the county’s e-filing system. That means fewer delays, no unnecessary court appearances, and a final judgment prepared correctly the first time.

• Flat-fee pricing with no hidden costs
• 100% online filing and support — no trips to court
• Experience with Alameda County procedures and e-filing
• Free initial consultation to review your case and next steps

Next steps if your spouse hasn’t responded

1. Confirm the 30-day response period has passed.
2. Prepare to file a Request to Enter Default and complete financial disclosures.
3. If you want help, schedule a free consultation at Divorce661.com so we can review your case and take over the filings.

Conclusion

If your spouse doesn’t respond to divorce papers in Alameda County, you can still finalize your divorce through a default proceeding — but you must file the correct paperwork, including the Request to Enter Default, financial disclosures, and a proposed judgment. Missing or incorrect forms will stall your case. If you need assistance, visit Divorce661.com to schedule a free consultation and let us handle the process so your divorce can be finalized quickly and correctly, even if your spouse remains silent.