How Long Does Divorce Take in Los Angeles County? — A Clear Guide

Hi, I’m Tim Blankenship from Divorce661. If you’re wondering how long a divorce takes in Los Angeles County (or anywhere in California), the short answer is this: the law requires a minimum six-month waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. That countdown starts the moment your spouse is served — even if you both agree on everything. But there’s good news: you don’t have to spend those six months scrambling to finish paperwork. In many cases you can complete everything well before the six-month date so the divorce is ready to be finalized as soon as the waiting period ends.

What starts the six-month clock?

The mandatory six-month waiting period begins the moment your spouse is served with the divorce papers. It’s a hard rule under California law — the court will not sign off on a final judgment earlier than six months after service, even in amicable cases.

Why can’t the court finalize the divorce sooner?

The waiting period exists to give both parties time to consider the decision, complete required financial disclosures, and ensure any agreements are entered knowingly and voluntarily. No matter how quickly you and your spouse agree on terms, the court’s hands are tied until that statutory period has passed.

You don’t have to wait to finish everything

Although the court won’t finalize the divorce before six months, you can—and should—finish the paperwork as soon as possible. Completing the process early has several advantages:

• Peace of mind: Once documents are approved, you know the divorce will finalize automatically at the six-month mark.
• Faster resolution of financial matters: Property division, support orders, and other terms can be agreed to and entered quickly.
• Smoother transition: You can finalize other life changes (housing, benefits, taxes) with confidence once court approval is in place.

What tasks can be completed before the six months?

To be ready when the waiting period ends, you should complete and file:

• All required court forms and petitions
• Financial disclosures and supporting documents
• Agreements (marital settlement agreements, child custody/visitation plans, support calculations)
• The proposed final judgment for the judge to sign when the time comes

Real example: approved in under three weeks

We recently helped a couple in Los Angeles County finish all of their paperwork in under three weeks. Their case was reviewed and approved by the court quickly, and now they simply await the official six-month final date. This is exactly how the process should work when both parties cooperate and the paperwork is handled efficiently.

“You don’t have to wait 6 months to complete your divorce paperwork.”

How our remote flat-fee service speeds things up

At Divorce661 we specialize in helping amicable couples complete their California divorce as quickly as the law allows. Our service features:

• 100% remote handling — no court appearances required
• Flat-fee pricing for predictable costs
• Preparation and filing of all forms, financial disclosures, and judgment documents
• Fast turnaround aimed at getting court approval in weeks, not months

How to get started

If you want your divorce ready to finalize as soon as the six-month period expires, start by getting your paperwork organized and filed immediately after service. If you prefer professional help, we offer a free consultation to review your situation and explain the next steps.

Visit divorce661.com or schedule a free phone consultation at https://divorce661.com/divorce661-consultation/ to learn how we can make your divorce process fast, smooth, and stress-free.

Conclusion

California law requires at least six months before a divorce can be finalized, starting at service. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck waiting to start the work. By completing and filing everything early, you can have your case approved well before the six-month mark and simply wait for the official final date. If you want a streamlined, remote, flat-fee approach that handles filings, disclosures, and judgments for you, we’re here to help.