How to Finalize Your Divorce Quickly in San Bernardino County
Hi, I’m Tim Blankenship with Divorce661. If you’re going through an amicable divorce in San Bernardino County, you’re probably asking: how fast can we get this done? California law includes a mandatory six‑month waiting period, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait six months to finish everything. In this post I’ll walk you through how the timeline really works, the exact steps to complete early, and how to have your paperwork approved well before the final six‑month date.
How the six‑month waiting period actually works
The key point most people miss: the six‑month clock starts only after two things happen — the divorce petition is filed and your spouse has been properly served. Once service is complete, the clock begins ticking.
But starting the clock doesn’t freeze the process. During those six months you can:
- Complete your financial disclosures
- Negotiate and draft a marital settlement agreement
- Prepare and submit the judgment package to the court
If those steps are done correctly and the court approves your paperwork, the only thing left is to wait out the mandatory six‑month window. The final divorce becomes effective automatically once that date passes.
Step‑by‑step: finalize as fast as the law allows
- File the petition: Start the case by filing the petition for dissolution with the San Bernardino County court.
- Serve your spouse properly: The six‑month clock begins after your spouse is legally served. Proper service is essential — mistakes here will delay everything.
- Complete financial disclosures: Both parties must exchange required disclosures (income, assets, debts). Accurate, timely disclosures speed approval.
- Draft the marital settlement agreement: Put your agreements about property, debts, support, and other issues into a clear written agreement both parties sign.
- Prepare and submit the judgment package: Assemble the signed agreement and all required court forms and submit them for judicial approval.
When the judge signs off on the judgment package before the six‑month anniversary, your case is essentially complete — you simply wait for the six‑month period to end for the divorce to be legally final.
Real client example: 30 days from filing to judgment submission
We recently helped a San Bernardino couple who wanted the fastest, smoothest process possible. From the initial filing through to submitting the judgment package, everything was completed in just 30 days. The court approved their paperwork without issues. Now they’re simply waiting for the six‑month window to close so the divorce can become final.
This example shows what’s possible when both parties are amicable, disclosures are handled accurately, and the paperwork is prepared correctly the first time.
Tips to avoid delays
- Serve correctly: Improper service is one of the most common delays. Use a reliable method and confirm service was completed.
- Be thorough with disclosures: Missing or incomplete financial information leads to requests for supplementation and slows court approval.
- Keep the agreement clear: A well‑drafted marital settlement agreement that addresses all issues reduces back‑and‑forth with the court.
- Submit a complete judgment package: Make sure every required form is included and signed; courts reject incomplete packages.
How Divorce661 helps
At Divorce661 we specialize in fast, flat‑fee divorce services for amicable couples in California. We handle every step for you: filing, disclosures, agreement drafting, and judgment submission. Our goal is to get your paperwork approved by the court as quickly and accurately as possible so you only have to wait the legally required time.
What we offer:
- Flat‑fee pricing with no hidden attorney costs
- 100% remote service across California
- Full case handling from filing through judgment submission
- Free consultation to discuss your situation and timeline
If you want to finalize your divorce as quickly as the law allows, visit Divorce661.com to schedule a free consultation. We’ll walk you through the process and handle the paperwork so your case moves forward without unnecessary delays.
Conclusion
You don’t have to “wait” six months passively. By filing and serving quickly, completing disclosures promptly, and submitting a clean judgment package, you can have your divorce paperwork approved well before the six‑month period ends. Then all that’s left is the mandatory waiting window.
Would you rather get all your divorce paperwork done early, or wait until closer to the six‑month mark? If you want help moving quickly and correctly, reach out at Divorce661.com for a free consultation.
