Los Angeles Divorce Timeline: What to Expect
I’m Tim Blankenship of Divorce661. One of the first questions I hear from people starting a divorce is, “How long will this take?” If you’re in Los Angeles County, here’s a clear, step-by-step timeline that explains what to expect from filing to final judgment — and what you can do during each stage to keep things moving as quickly as legally possible.
High-level overview: the milestone checklist
- File petition and summons (e-file with the court)
- Serve your spouse and file proof of service
- Six-month mandatory waiting period (California law)
- Complete and exchange financial disclosures
- Prepare Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) and final judgment package
- Submit judgment for court review and wait for approval
- Finalization — occurs after the six-month date passes
The timeline explained, step by step
1. Filing the petition and summons
The process starts when you file your initial paperwork — the petition and the summons. In Los Angeles County we file these documents electronically. Once the court accepts the filing you’ll receive a case number and stamped copies. That officially starts the case.
2. Serving your spouse and proof of service
After filing, the next required step is to serve your spouse with the filed documents and then file a proof of service with the court. The date of service is important because it triggers the mandatory waiting clock.
“How long will my divorce take?”
3. The mandatory six‑month waiting period
California law requires a minimum six-month waiting period. The earliest your divorce can be finalized is six months from the date your spouse was served. That doesn’t mean nothing happens during these six months — there is still essential work to complete during the waiting period.
4. Financial disclosures — required even if you agree
Both parties must complete and exchange mandatory financial disclosures. The core documents are:
- Schedule of Assets and Debts
- Income and Expense Declaration
These disclosures are required before the court will approve a final judgment, even in uncontested or amicable cases. Getting these done promptly prevents delays later on.
5. Preparing the Marital Settlement Agreement and final judgment package
Once disclosures are exchanged, you can prepare the Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) and assemble the final judgment package that lays out all the terms of your divorce (property division, spousal support if any, and any other agreed terms).
If both parties are in full agreement, this step can be completed quickly — often within a few weeks of filing the case.
6. Submitting the judgment and court approval
After the judgment package is submitted, the court reviews it. In Los Angeles County, approvals are often fast — from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the court’s workload. Once approved, there’s nothing left for the court to do until the six-month date passes.
Real client example
Recently we helped a couple file, serve, exchange disclosures, and submit their final judgment in under 30 days. The court approved the judgment in less than two weeks. Now they’re simply waiting for the six-month mark to pass for the divorce to be officially finalized — no additional court appearances or paperwork required.
How we help move things quickly and smoothly
- We handle the entire process from start to finish: filing, service, disclosures, and final judgment preparation.
- Everything is done remotely through LA County’s e-filing system — no need to come to the office or sit in line at the courthouse.
- Flat-fee pricing so you don’t get hit with unexpected charges.
- We focus on completing mandatory disclosures correctly and on time so the court can approve your judgment without delay.
Practical tips to avoid delays
- Serve your spouse promptly and file the proof of service right away.
- Complete financial disclosures thoroughly — incomplete disclosures are a common source of delay.
- If you’re in agreement, prepare and exchange the Marital Settlement Agreement early so it’s ready to submit once disclosures are done.
- Use e-filing when possible to speed up the court acceptance and review process.
When will your divorce actually be final?
The absolute earliest date for finalization is six months from the date your spouse was served. If you and your spouse get everything done quickly — filing, service, disclosures, and submitting a clean judgment package — the only remaining wait is that six months mandated by California law.
Ready to get started?
If you want a clear, streamlined process with no surprises, we handle cases remotely and guide you through each milestone so your case moves as quickly as legally possible. To schedule a free consultation and learn how long your divorce is likely to take, visit Divorce661.com.
Conclusion
While each case is unique, the Los Angeles divorce process follows predictable milestones: filing, service, the six-month waiting period, mandatory disclosures, and submission of a judgment package. If you’re organized and work with someone who knows the LA County system, you can often complete everything required well before the six-month finalization date — leaving you simply to wait out the statutory clock. If you have questions or want help moving through the timeline efficiently, I’m here to help.
