The Fastest Way to Get a Divorce in Riverside County | Riverside Divorce
I’m Tim Blankenship with Divorce661. If you’re in Riverside County and want the fastest possible uncontested divorce, there is a clear, legal path to speed things up — often dramatically. In this article I’ll walk you through how to start the clock, complete the necessary steps quickly, and get early court approval so the only real wait left is the statutory six-month finalization date.
Can you finalize your divorce before six months?
Did you know you can finalize your divorce paperwork before the six-month waiting period ends?
Yes — California requires a minimum six-month waiting period, but you can complete the paperwork, reach a full agreement, and even get the court to approve your judgment early. That means you’ll be done with the process (and most importantly, done with the legal logistics and stress) long before the official final date arrives.
How the six-month clock works
In Riverside County (and across California), the statutory waiting period begins when your spouse is served with the divorce papers. Once your spouse is served, the countdown starts — and that moment is the key to accelerating the entire case. The goal is to use that time productively: file the case, exchange disclosures, negotiate and prepare a judgment, and submit it for early court approval.
Step-by-step: How to fast-track your divorce
1. Serve your spouse to start the clock
Proper service is the trigger. Deliver the summons and petition to your spouse following California’s service rules so the court recognizes the start date. Once served, you can proceed with filing and disclosures immediately.
2. File the case promptly
Filing quickly lets you move into disclosure and negotiation right away. Delays in filing only prolong the timeline — so file as soon as you can after preparing your papers.
3. Exchange financial disclosures early
Transparency is essential. Exchange your financial disclosures at the outset so both parties know the full picture: income, assets, debts, and proposed division. This prevents surprises and reduces the chance of later disputes that could drag the case out.
4. Reach a full agreement
Work toward a comprehensive settlement covering property division, debts, support (if any), and child-related matters. An agreed-upon judgment is what allows the court to review and approve the final paperwork without multiple hearings.
5. Submit your judgment for early court approval
Once you have a signed settlement and prepared judgment documents, submit them to the court. The court can review and approve (sign) the judgment early, even if the judgment will not be entered as final until the statutory period ends. Early approval means you avoid extra hearings and the case is effectively closed administratively — the only remaining wait is the six-month statutory date.
Real client example: 30 days from filing to judgment approval
We recently handled a Riverside County case where the couple completed their filing, disclosures, and settlement within 30 days. We prepared and submitted their judgment, the court reviewed and approved it early, and the couple’s paperwork was finalized on the court’s schedule. They avoided multiple court appearances and unnecessary stress — and are now free to move forward knowing the legal work is done.
Why early court approval matters
- Speeds up the administrative end of your divorce so you can move on with your life.
- Reduces the need for court appearances and follow-up hearings.
- Minimizes stress by resolving negotiations and paperwork quickly and cleanly.
- Provides certainty — the court has already reviewed and signed your judgment.
How Divorce661 handles the entire remote process
We provide a full-service, flat-fee solution for amicable divorces in Riverside County. That means we prepare, file, and manage your paperwork remotely so you don’t have to come to court. Our services include:
- Preparing and filing your petition and other required documents
- Guiding and coordinating proper service to start the six-month clock
- Managing the exchange of financial disclosures
- Drafting the judgment and settlement documents
- Filing the judgment for early court approval to eliminate extra steps
We do the heavy lifting so you can avoid court appearances and unnecessary legal stress. Our flat-fee model means no hourly billing surprises.
Quick checklist to fast-track your divorce
- Decide to pursue an uncontested, negotiated divorce.
- Serve your spouse properly to start the six-month clock.
- File the case as soon as possible after service.
- Exchange complete financial disclosures immediately.
- Negotiate and sign a full settlement agreement.
- Submit the judgment to the court for early approval.
- Confirm the court has signed the judgment — then wait for the official statutory finalization date.
Next steps & free consultation
If you want to fast-track your divorce in Riverside County, start with a free consultation. We’ll explain your options, outline the timeline, and show you how we can handle the entire remote process for you. Visit Divorce661.com to schedule your free consultation and get started.
At Divorce661 we focus on fast, stress-free, flat-fee divorces for couples who can work together to settle. Let us handle the paperwork so you can focus on moving forward.
Contact
Schedule your free consultation at Divorce661.com