How to Prepare Divorce Documents for Contra Costa County Court | Contra Costa Divorce
Hi — I’m Tim Blankenship from Divorce661. Filing for divorce in Contra Costa County can feel overwhelming, but with the right checklist and attention to detail you can avoid frustrating delays. In this guide I’ll walk you through the exact documents and steps you need to get your divorce paperwork accepted the first time, explain common pitfalls we see, and show how to streamline the process so you can move forward quickly.
Overview: The First Steps to Start Your Case
To begin your divorce in Contra Costa County you’ll need to prepare and file a few core documents. Filing correctly is critical — a single mistake can lead to rejected filings and wasted time.
Forms to File First
- Petition for Dissolution: The document that starts the case and states your requests regarding property, custody, support, etc.
- Summons: Notifies your spouse that a case has been filed against them and explains their right to respond.
- UCCJEA (if you have children): The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act form, required whenever children are involved to establish jurisdiction and prior custody history.
Once these are submitted to the court you’ll receive a case number. That case number is essential — it’s how the court tracks your matter and how you’ll reference the case in all future filings.
Serving Your Spouse: How to Do It Correctly
Proper service is a legal requirement and a common source of mistakes. You cannot serve your spouse yourself; the law requires service by a neutral third party.
Who Can Serve
- Professional process servers
- County sheriff or marshal
- Any competent adult who is not a party to the case
If your spouse is cooperative they can sign a Notice of Acknowledgement of Service, which simplifies proof of service and saves time and expense. But this must be done voluntarily and correctly — don’t assume an informal exchange will satisfy the court.
Proof of Service
After service, you must file proof of service with the court. The proof-of-service form documents how, when, and who served the documents. Missing or incorrect proof-of-service paperwork is another frequent reason for rejections.
Financial Disclosures: Why They Matter (Even in Uncontested Cases)
Both spouses are required to complete and exchange financial disclosures, regardless of whether the divorce is contested. This requirement exists so the court can be sure any agreement or judgment is informed by full financial transparency.
What to Exchange
- Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure: Summarizes income, assets, debts and provides supporting documentation (pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns, etc.).
- Schedule of Assets and Debts and Income and Expense Declaration, when applicable.
Skipping or submitting incomplete disclosures is one of the most common reasons final judgments are rejected. Even if you and your spouse agree on terms, the court needs properly completed disclosures on file.
Common Pitfalls — Real Client Example
Here’s a real example we see often: A client submitted their final judgment and had it rejected not once but twice for minor errors and omissions. Those small mistakes cost time and stress. After bringing the case to our team we corrected the forms, made sure the disclosures were accurate and complete, and resubmitted the judgment. The case was finalized smoothly on the next filing.
“Getting it right the first time saves you time and frustration.”
Checklist: Get Your Divorce Paperwork Accepted the First Time
- Prepare and file the Petition, Summons, and UCCJEA (if children are involved).
- Obtain your case number from the court.
- Arrange proper service by a third party or obtain a signed Notice of Acknowledgement of Service.
- File proof of service with the court promptly.
- Complete and exchange all required financial disclosures — fully and accurately.
- Double-check all forms for signatures, dates, and required attachments before filing.
- Resubmit corrected filings quickly if the court rejects any documents.
How Divorce661 Helps — Flat-Fee, Remote Support for Contra Costa County
At Divorce661 we prepare, file, and finalize divorce paperwork for couples in Contra Costa County. Our services include:
- Preparation of all required court forms
- Filing with the court and tracking the case
- Handling service and filing proof of service
- Preparing and reviewing financial disclosures
- Preparation and filing of the final judgment
- 100% remote support so you can complete everything without multiple court visits
We work on a flat-fee basis — no hourly billing — and we specialize in getting documents accepted the first time to avoid rejections and delays.
Conclusion — Move Forward With Confidence
Filing for divorce doesn’t have to be a maze. Follow the checklist above, pay close attention to service and financial disclosures, and double-check every form before you file. Small mistakes lead to big delays, but careful preparation will keep your case moving.
If you want help making sure your paperwork is done right in Contra Costa County, visit divorce661.com and schedule a free consultation. We’ll make sure your forms, disclosures, and final judgment are prepared correctly so you can finalize your divorce with as little stress as possible.
