What Happens After Filing for Divorce in Long Beach?
If you have already filed for divorce in Long Beach, you are not finished. Filing the petition and summons is just the first step. Here is a clear, step-by-step guide to what happens next and what you need to do to keep your case moving toward finalization.
Overview: The First Things That Happen
After your Petition and Summons are filed with the Los Angeles County Court, the court will issue a case number and give you filed copies of your forms. That paperwork starts the clock, but it does not finalize anything on its own.
Step 1: Service of Process
Your spouse must be officially served with the divorce papers. There are two common methods:
- Personal service: A third party physically delivers the documents to your spouse.
- Notice of Acknowledgement and Receipt: Your spouse signs a form acknowledging receipt of the papers. This saves the time and cost of personal service if your spouse agrees to sign.
Proper service is critical. If service is not completed correctly, the case can be delayed or invalidated.
Step 2: Financial Disclosures
Every case requires full financial disclosure, even when both parties agree on the terms. The court mandates an exchange of financial information so both sides and the judge can see the basis for any agreement or judgment.
Common disclosure documents include:
- Income and expense declarations
- Schedules of assets and debts
- Tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and other supporting documents
Do not skip this step. Incomplete or missing disclosures are the most frequent cause of delay when finalizing a divorce.
Step 3: Settlement Agreement or Judgment Preparation
After disclosures are exchanged, you will take one of two paths:
- Draft and sign a settlement agreement: If you and your spouse can agree on division of property, support, custody, and other issues, you document that agreement in a written Marital Settlement Agreement.
- Prepare a judgment for court approval: If you have an agreement, the next step is submitting the judgment to the court for approval and signature. In some cases, parties move straight to judgment preparation after disclosures.
Keep in mind: the court will not finalize anything unless each required step is completed correctly and documented.
The court will not finalize anything unless every step is completed correctly.
Common Mistake That Delays Finalization
Many people mistakenly believe a divorce will “finalize automatically” after a waiting period. That is not how it works. If required steps like service and financial disclosures are not completed and submitted, the case can sit idle for months.
I recently helped a Long Beach couple who thought their divorce would finalize automatically. Their case had been sitting for months. Once we stepped in, completed disclosures, drafted their agreement, and submitted the judgment, the divorce was finalized in just a few weeks.
Typical Timeline
- Filing and issuance of case number: immediate upon filing
- Service of process: varies, but should be completed promptly after filing
- Exchange of financial disclosures: usually within 60 days of service, depending on the case
- Drafting and signing settlement agreement or preparing judgment: timing depends on how quickly parties reach agreement
- Submission to court and final judgment: once all documents are in order, the court will sign the judgment
These timelines can vary. The important point is to complete each required step thoroughly to avoid delays.
How I Can Help You Finish What You Started
If you filed and now feel stuck, you do not have to navigate the rest of the process alone. I help people take care of everything after filing, including:
- Serving the papers or preparing a Notice of Acknowledgement and Receipt
- Preparing and organizing financial disclosures
- Drafting marital settlement agreements and preparing judgments for court approval
- Remote filing, signatures, and document submission for Los Angeles County e-filing
Services are offered for a flat fee, handled remotely, and completed by licensed and bonded legal document assistants experienced with Los Angeles County procedures.
Next Steps and Checklist
If you are ready to move forward, use this checklist to see where you are in the process:
- Have you received your case number and filed copies?
- Has your spouse been properly served or signed an acknowledgement?
- Have you completed and exchanged financial disclosures?
- Have you drafted a settlement agreement or started judgment preparation?
- Are all documents ready to submit to the court for approval?
If any of these are incomplete, your case can stall. If you need help completing any of these steps, schedule a consultation. Visit divorce661.com to book a free consultation and get help finishing what you started.
Final Thought
Filing is only the beginning. With the right steps taken quickly and correctly—service, disclosures, agreement drafting, and judgment preparation—you can move from filing to finalization without unnecessary delays. If you filed in Long Beach and feel stuck, help is available to guide you through and finish the case efficiently.
