What Happens After Filing for Divorce in Riverside? | Riverside Divorce #divorce661
I’m Tim Blankenship with Divorce661. If you’ve filed for divorce in Riverside County, you probably asked yourself: what comes next? Filing is just the beginning of the process. Knowing the steps that follow will help you avoid delays, meet legal requirements, and move your case forward efficiently.
Quick overview: The next steps after filing
- Properly serve your spouse (or obtain an acknowledgement of receipt).
- Begin the six-month waiting period once service is complete.
- Complete and exchange required financial disclosures.
- Draft, sign, and file your Marital Settlement Agreement if you agree on terms.
- Submit the final judgment electronically (eFile) for court approval.
“Filing is just the beginning of the process.”
1. Service of process: making sure the other party is notified
After you file, your spouse must be properly served with the paperwork. If they cooperate, they can sign a Notice of Acknowledgement and Receipt, which saves time. If they won’t sign, you must arrange personal service—someone other than you must hand-deliver the documents.
Proper service is critical. The court will not move forward with certain parts of your case until proof of service is on file, and mistakes here can cause delays or returned filings.
2. The six-month waiting period
Once your spouse is served, the six-month waiting period begins. In California, this is the earliest your dissolution can be finalized. That doesn’t mean you should wait to get things done—many required steps should be completed during this window so the final judgment can be entered as soon as the time passes.
3. Financial disclosures: required and essential
Both parties must complete and exchange mandatory financial disclosures. These are not optional—California requires full disclosure of assets, debts, income, and expenses so any settlement or court order is informed and fair.
Common components include:
- Income information (pay stubs, tax returns)
- Lists of assets and debts
- Income and Expense Declarations or similar financial statements
Exchange these disclosures early. Working proactively prevents surprises, reduces back-and-forth requests, and keeps your case on track toward resolution.
4. If you agree: drafting the Marital Settlement Agreement and submitting the judgment
If you and your spouse reach agreement on property division, support, and other issues, the next step is to put those terms into a written Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA). Once signed, we prepare the final judgment paperwork and submit it—typically via electronic filing—for the court to review and approve.
The court reviews the submitted judgment and, if everything is in order, signs the final judgment. Because the court’s role is to ensure legal sufficiency rather than manage the entire case for you, it’s important to have accurate paperwork and complete disclosures when you submit your judgment.
Real client example: don’t assume the court will do the rest
We recently worked with a Riverside couple who had filed but then waited months—assuming the court would move things along automatically. Nothing happened. We stepped in, completed the required disclosures, drafted their settlement, and submitted the judgment. The court approved it quickly, and their divorce was finalized without further delay.
“We’ll take over the process so you can move forward with confidence and peace of mind.”
How Divorce661 handles the post-filing process
At Divorce661, we manage every step after filing so your Riverside County divorce moves forward efficiently and correctly. Our typical services include:
- Assisting with proper service or preparing a Notice of Acknowledgement and Receipt.
- Preparing and helping exchange required financial disclosures.
- Drafting a comprehensive Marital Settlement Agreement if you reach agreement.
- Preparing and eFiling the final judgment for court approval.
We handle the paperwork, deadlines, and court filing details so you can focus on the next chapter of your life.
Practical tips to avoid delays
- Serve the papers correctly and file proof of service promptly.
- Start financial disclosures right away—don’t wait until the six-month mark.
- Get agreements in writing and have them reviewed or prepared by a knowledgeable provider.
- Keep copies of everything and respond quickly to requests for additional information.
- If you feel stuck, get help early to prevent months of inactivity.
Conclusion — move forward with confidence
If you’ve already filed and aren’t sure what comes next—or you want someone to take over the process—visit Divorce661.com to schedule a free consultation. We’ll step in, finish the paperwork, and get your Riverside County divorce back on track—fast, accurate, and stress-free.
