How to Get a Divorce Without Court in Riverside County
I’m Tim Blankenship from Divorce661. If you want to finalize your divorce without ever stepping foot in a courtroom, this article walks you through the exact steps I use to get amicable cases approved and finalized remotely. An uncontested divorce done right is 100% possible—provided both parties cooperate and the paperwork is complete.
Why a court-free divorce is realistic
Going to court is necessary in many contested divorces, but not all cases need courtroom time. When a divorce is amicable and both spouses agree on the terms—property division, spousal support, child custody and support—most courts will accept the parties’ paperwork and issue a judgment without an appearance. In short: proper paperwork is your golden ticket to a court-free divorce.
Proper paperwork is your golden ticket to a court-free divorce.
Step-by-step: How it works in Riverside County
1. eFile the initial forms
Start by eFiling your Petition for Dissolution, Summons, and the UCCJEA (the child custody jurisdiction form) if you have minor children. Riverside County accepts electronic filing, so you can submit these documents from home. eFiling avoids courthouse visits, speeds processing, and creates an official record for the court.
2. Serve your spouse correctly
Proper service is critical. If your spouse is cooperative, you can serve by mail using a Notice of Acknowledgement and Receipt. This method is cleaner, less confrontational, and helps keep the process amicable. The spouse signs the acknowledgement and returns it—documenting they received the papers.
If your spouse is not cooperative or refuses to sign, you’ll need a third-party process server or the sheriff, which may involve more time and expense.
3. Complete financial disclosures
California requires full financial disclosure in most divorces. This usually means completing a Schedule of Assets and Debts and Income and Expense Declaration. Accurate and honest disclosures are necessary for court approval and for avoiding later disputes. Even in an uncontested case, the court wants to see the financial picture before signing off.
4. Draft a comprehensive Marital Settlement Agreement
The Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) lays out every term of your divorce: how assets and debts are split, any spousal support terms, and child custody and support arrangements. The clearer and more detailed the MSA, the less likely the court will have questions. Once both spouses sign the MSA, submit it electronically with your final judgment paperwork.
5. Submit everything for court approval
After filing disclosures, the signed settlement agreement, and any required local forms, submit the final judgment packet. When the court reviews and approves the paperwork, they will issue the final judgment of dissolution—often without calling you in for a hearing.
Common timeline and expectations
Timing varies by case and county backlog, but an amicable, well-documented divorce can often be finalized in a few weeks to a few months. The keys to speed are accurate documents, timely service, and cooperative communication between spouses.
Real client example: Riverside couple who never went to court
I worked with a couple in Riverside County who were both working full-time and worried about missing court dates. They wanted privacy, efficiency, and no courtroom appearances. We handled everything online—from eFiling to serving by mail using the notice of acknowledgement and receipt, completing financial disclosures, and preparing a detailed Marital Settlement Agreement. Because the paperwork was done correctly and both spouses cooperated, their divorce was approved by the court without a single appearance.
When you might still need to go to court
- If one spouse is uncooperative or contests terms
- If required financial disclosures are incomplete or disputed
- If there are emergency issues (child safety, restraining orders, or unpaid support) that require a judge’s immediate attention
Court-free divorce checklist
- eFile Petition, Summons, and UCCJEA (if applicable)
- Serve your spouse properly—preferably by mail with a Notice of Acknowledgement and Receipt
- Complete all required financial disclosures
- Draft and sign a thorough Marital Settlement Agreement
- Submit the final judgment packet electronically for court review
- Be prepared to respond quickly if the court asks for clarifications
Why consider working with Divorce661
- Flat-fee pricing—no hourly attorney billing
- 100% court-free process for amicable cases in Riverside County
- We handle filing, service guidance, disclosures, and the final judgment paperwork
- Experience getting uncontested divorces approved quickly and with minimal stress
Conclusion and next steps
If you and your spouse agree on the terms and want a low-stress, court-free path forward, start with correct paperwork and clear communication. Schedule a free consultation at divorce661.com to discuss your situation, get a plan, and let us guide you through a stress-free divorce process. Your new beginning can start now—without a courtroom visit.
