Contra Costa County Divorce: What You Need to Know Before Filing
In a helpful short video I created, I walk you through the key things to know before you file for divorce in Contra Costa County. I’m Tim Blankenship with Divorce661, and I focus on flat-fee, amicable divorces across California. Below I summarize the most important points from that video and expand on them so you can file confidently and avoid common delays and rejections.
Why local procedures matter even in a statewide system
California uses statewide divorce forms and rules, but each county has its own filing procedures and formatting expectations. Contra Costa County accepts both in-person and electronic filing, and those local rules can make the difference between a smooth process and repeated rejections.
E-filing vs. in-person filing
Both options are available, but e-filing is often faster and more efficient. That said, e-filing comes with strict formatting and attachment requirements. A small mistake—using the wrong form, missing an attachment, or a date error—can cause the court to reject your filing and delay your case.
Tips for successful e-filing in Contra Costa County
- Follow the county’s formatting rules exactly.
- Double-check that every required attachment is included.
- Verify dates and signatures before submission.
- If you’re unsure, get help—mistakes can lead to multiple rejections.
Financial disclosures are mandatory—no exceptions
Even in the most amicable divorces, Contra Costa courts require complete financial disclosures from both parties. That means full transparency about income, assets, debts, and monthly expenses. The court will not approve a final judgment without properly completed disclosures.
What to include in your disclosures
- Recent pay stubs and income documentation
- Bank and investment account statements
- Property valuations or mortgage statements
- Credit card and loan balances
- A complete monthly budget or expense list
Marital settlement agreements and judgment paperwork: get the format right
The court expects settlement agreements and judgment paperwork to follow specific formatting and content rules. Leaving out a required clause or formatting the judgment improperly can result in rejection and a requirement to refile corrected documents.
Common problems that lead to rejection
- Missing exhibits or attachments
- Incorrect or inconsistent dates
- Signatures in the wrong place or missing notarization where required
- Judgment language that doesn’t mirror the settlement agreement
Real client story: avoided delays after two rejections
One client tried to handle her own filing and thought she had everything right. Despite using the correct forms, her judgment was rejected twice—because of missing attachments and a couple of date errors she didn’t realize were critical. After we stepped in, we corrected the paperwork, filed everything properly, and had the judgment approved in under two weeks.
“We corrected the paperwork, filed everything properly, and had their judgment approved in under two weeks.”
How Divorce661 helps
At Divorce661 we specialize in flat-fee, amicable divorces and know Contra Costa County’s specific requirements. We handle the entire process:
- Preparation and electronic filing of forms
- Service of process
- Complete financial disclosures
- Drafting marital settlement agreements and judgment paperwork
- Filing until the judgment is approved
Our approach is 100% focused on accuracy and compliance so you don’t have to guess or risk rejection. We offer flat-fee pricing, no surprise bills, and a streamlined online process.
Checklist: What to have before you file in Contra Costa County
- Decide whether to e-file or file in person (e-filing is usually faster).
- Gather income documents: pay stubs, tax returns, and any business income records.
- Collect asset and debt statements: bank accounts, retirement, mortgage, credit cards.
- Prepare a complete list of monthly expenses and budgets.
- Draft a marital settlement agreement and confirm judgment language matches it.
- Confirm all attachments are included and dates/signatures are accurate.
- Consider professional help to avoid formatting mistakes and rejections.
Next steps
If you’re ready to start a divorce in Contra Costa County and want to avoid costly mistakes or unnecessary stress, schedule a free consultation at Divorce661. We’ll walk you through every step, file correctly, and help you get through your divorce the right way from start to finish. Visit Divorce661.com to book your free consultation.
Final thoughts
Filing for divorce is stressful enough without court rejections and delays. Knowing Contra Costa County’s e-filing rules, completing mandatory financial disclosures, and ensuring your settlement and judgment paperwork are formatted correctly will save time and anxiety. If you want a predictable, flat-fee process handled by people who know the local requirements, reach out and let us help.
