What to Do If Your Divorce Papers Are Rejected in Contra Costa County
Hi, I’m Tim Blankenship of Divorce661. In a recent video I explained why divorce paperwork gets rejected in Contra Costa County and how to get your case back on track quickly. Rejections happen more often than you’d think—and usually for small, fixable reasons. Below I’ll walk you through the most common problems, a real client example, and concrete steps you can take right now to resolve a rejected filing.
Why Divorce Papers Get Rejected in Contra Costa County
Courts must follow strict filing rules, and even minor errors can trigger a rejection. Common culprits include:
- Missing disclosures: Financial and property disclosures that haven’t been provided or are incomplete.
- Unsigned pages: A single missing signature can stop a filing in its tracks.
- Mismatched dates: Dates that don’t line up across forms or signatures.
- Unchecked boxes: Required checkboxes left blank that indicate choices or acknowledgments.
- Formatting issues: Incorrect margins, page numbers, or required headers that don’t meet the court’s standards.
Because clerks process thousands of forms, they follow a checklist. If a required item isn’t present or a form is improperly filled out, the package comes back. That creates delays that add stress—and sometimes leads people to feel like they have to start over when they don’t.
Real Client Story: Martinez — Rejected Twice, Approved in Less Than Three Weeks
A client from Martinez had their judgment rejected two times. The first rejection was for missing disclosures; the second was due to formatting and unsigned pages. They were frustrated and ready to give up.
We stepped in, conducted a line-by-line review, corrected the missing disclosures, fixed formatting problems, ensured all signatures and dates matched, and resubmitted. The court approved the judgment in under three weeks. That turnaround is achievable when you know exactly what the court requires.
What to Do Right Now If Your Papers Are Rejected
If you receive a rejection notice, follow these practical steps immediately:
- Read the rejection notice carefully. The clerk will usually indicate which forms or items are missing or incorrect.
- Don’t start over. Most rejections are fixable by correcting or completing the existing documents.
- Confirm required disclosures. Make sure all financial disclosures and mandatory statements are included and complete.
- Check signatures and dates. Verify every signature block and date across all forms.
- Correct formatting problems. Ensure margins, page numbers, and any required captions or headers meet the court’s rules.
- Resubmit promptly. Refile as soon as corrections are made to avoid additional delays.
- Get help if you’re unsure. A professional review can save time and prevent repeated rejections.
Quick Filing Checklist for Contra Costa
- All required forms included (check the court’s filing checklist)
- Complete financial disclosures (e.g., Schedule of Assets and Debts, Income & Expense Declaration where applicable)
- All pages signed and dated
- Consistent dates and party names across documents
- Required checkboxes checked and initialed if necessary
- Proper formatting: margins, page numbers, and captions
- Copies and originals handled according to the court’s instructions
How Divorce661 Can Help
At Divorce661 we specialize in reviewing and correcting rejected divorce paperwork for Contra Costa County. Here’s what we do:
- Meticulous, line-by-line review to identify every missing item or inconsistency
- Correction of disclosures, signatures, dates, and formatting errors
- Knowledge of Contra Costa court rules so corrections meet local requirements
- We can take over filings you started yourself or that were prepared by an online form site
- 100% online process—no court appearances required from you
- Flat-fee pricing and a free consultation to discuss your case
If your paperwork has been rejected, you don’t have to go it alone. We’ve helped clients who were rejected multiple times and turned their cases around quickly. Visit divorce661.com or schedule a free consultation at divorce661.com/divorce661-consultation/ to get started.
Final Thoughts
Rejection of divorce paperwork is common, but most issues are small and fixable. The key is to act quickly, follow the court’s instructions, and make precise corrections. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, professional help can save time, reduce stress, and get your judgment approved without unnecessary delay.
Don’t let a rejected filing stall your life. Take the next step—review the rejection notice, correct the items, or reach out for a free consultation at Divorce661. Move forward with confidence.
