How Long Does Divorce Take in San Bernardino County?
Hi, I’m Tim Blankenship with Divorce661. If you’re considering filing for divorce in San Bernardino County, one of the first questions on your mind is usually: how long will this take? The short answer is straightforward, and the rest of this post explains how the process works and what you can do to move through it as quickly as legally possible.
The short answer: the mandatory six-month waiting period
In California, there is a mandatory six-month waiting period that begins on the date your spouse is served with the divorce paperwork. No matter how quickly you complete the paperwork, exchange disclosures, or get court approval, the divorce cannot be finalized until at least six months have passed from that service date.
What the six-month rule means in practice
That six-month clock is the minimum. It doesn’t stop you from finishing every step of the divorce before that period ends. What it does is set the earliest date the court can enter a judgment finalizing your divorce.
“You don’t have to wait 6 months to complete all the paperwork.”
At Divorce661, we often help clients complete filing, disclosures, agreements, and submit the judgment well before the six-month mark. Once the court approves the paperwork, the remaining task is to wait for the official date to pass.
What you can (and should) do while you wait
- Prepare and file your initial paperwork promptly after deciding to file.
- Exchange mandatory financial disclosures with your spouse right away (income, assets, debts).
- Negotiate and sign any settlement agreements covering property division, spousal support, and other issues.
- Submit the judgment and related documents to the court for approval as soon as agreements are signed.
Completing these steps early reduces the chance of delays and helps ensure the court approves your documents without repeated corrections or requests for additional information.
A real example: finishing every step in under 30 days
We’ve helped couples in San Bernardino County complete every step of their divorce in under 30 days. In one recent case, the judgment was approved by the court weeks before the six-month mark—the couple is now simply waiting for the final date that makes it official.
That example shows two important things:
- It is possible to finish the administrative and legal work quickly if both parties cooperate and the paperwork is handled properly.
- Even with a fast process, the six-month waiting period still governs the final effective date of the divorce judgment.
How Divorce661 helps you move through the process
At Divorce661 we manage the entire process from start to finish. That includes:
- Preparing and filing all court forms accurately and on time.
- Guiding you through the disclosure process so nothing is missed.
- Drafting settlement agreements and the proposed judgment.
- Submitting the judgment to the court and following up until approval.
We provide 100% remote divorce services across California and offer flat-fee pricing with no hidden costs. Our goal is to do it right the first time so your case doesn’t stall and you can move on as soon as legally possible.
Steps you can take right now to avoid delays
- Decide who will file and prepare the initial petition promptly.
- Serve your spouse and open the six-month clock with a proper proof of service.
- Collect and exchange financial disclosures immediately—don’t wait.
- Negotiate settlement terms early, or use mediation/assisted negotiation if needed.
- Have your agreements drafted into a judgment and submit them to the court for approval.
Common questions
Can the divorce be rushed to finish before six months?
No. The six-month waiting period is mandatory under California law. You can finish paperwork and get court approval before six months, but the divorce won’t be final until the waiting period has passed.
Does finishing paperwork early help?
Yes. Getting everything done early prevents administrative delays, reduces the chance of court rejections, and means you’ll be ready the moment the six-month date arrives.
Conclusion and next steps
If you want to move through your divorce as fast as legally possible in San Bernardino County, begin the paperwork and disclosures now and keep the process organized. At Divorce661, we handle the filings, disclosures, agreements, and judgment submissions so your case stays on track. We recently helped a couple complete every step in under 30 days; they’re now simply waiting for the six-month mark to make the divorce official.
If you’d like help, visit Divorce661.com to schedule a free consultation. We’ll walk you through the timeline, explain your options, and make sure your case is handled correctly from start to finish.
