How to Finalize Your Divorce Quickly in Contra Costa County | Contra Costa Divorce
I’m Tim Blankenship with Divorce661. California law requires a six-month waiting period before a dissolution of marriage can be finalized, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit idle. In Contra Costa County you can complete nearly every step of the process long before the court signs off — so when the six-month clock runs out, you’re ready to get your judgment entered immediately.
How California’s six-month waiting period actually works
California has a mandatory minimum waiting period of six months before a divorce can be finalized. That statutory period begins from the date your spouse is served with the summons (or the date of their response in certain circumstances). The waiting period is procedural — it prevents a court from entering a final judgment until that clock has run.
Important takeaway: the waiting period controls when the court can enter the judgment, not how long you must take to complete the paperwork. You can finish paperwork, exchange disclosures, and submit your judgment package well in advance.
Step-by-step: Finish everything now so you only wait on the court
Use these steps to move your case from filing to ready-for-judgment in weeks rather than months.
1. File your initial forms promptly
Start by filing the Petition (Form FL-100) and related initial documents. Filing early gets your case number and starts the clock for other practical steps like e-filing and document organization.
2. Properly serve your spouse
Service of the summons and petition is a legal requirement and is what actually starts the statutory waiting period. Make sure service is completed correctly and documented — improper service is a common source of delays.
3. Complete and exchange financial disclosures
California requires full financial disclosure. Completing and exchanging income and asset disclosures early creates transparency and removes a major obstacle to settlement. Prepare:
- Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150)
- Schedule of Assets and Debts (Form FL-142)
- Supporting docs: pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements
4. Negotiate and draft your settlement agreement
If you and your spouse are amicable or have already reached agreement on key issues, formalize that in a written settlement. Having a complete settlement dramatically speeds up the judgment preparation.
5. Prepare and submit the full judgment package
Once disclosures are exchanged and a settlement is drafted, assemble the full judgment packet and submit it to the court for review. Submitting a full, accurate package early lets the court schedule the final entry as soon as the six-month waiting period expires.
Why timing your judgment submission matters
Courts will not enter a final judgment before the six-month statutory date, but they can review and accept your paperwork in advance. By getting everything approved before the waiting period ends, you eliminate administrative or clerical delays — the only thing left is the court’s official entry of judgment on or after the statutory date.
You don’t have to wait six months to get the paperwork done.
Real client story: finalized paperwork in just over 3 weeks
We recently worked with a couple in Contra Costa County who wanted to move quickly. Here’s how their timeline looked:
- Week 1: Filed the petition and arranged service.
- Week 2: Exchanged full financial disclosures and drafted the settlement.
- Week 3: Submitted the complete judgment package electronically for court review.
Their paperwork was accepted and approved without rejections — they finished everything in just over three weeks and now simply wait for the court to enter the judgment once the six-month period expires. Following the correct steps and filing clean, accurate documents is what made this possible.
Why work with Divorce661?
- Flat-fee pricing: No hourly billing surprises.
- 100% remote process: Handle everything from home; no court appearances required for most uncontested cases.
- Contra Costa e-filing expertise: We know local filing requirements and format expectations, reducing rejections and delays.
- Fast, accurate submissions: We prepare and submit full judgment packages so you can be ready when the waiting period ends.
Quick checklist: Get ready to finalize
- File your petition and get a case number.
- Arrange and document proper service of your spouse.
- Complete and exchange financial disclosures promptly.
- Draft and sign a settlement agreement (if applicable).
- Assemble the full judgment packet and e-file with the court.
- Confirm the court has accepted the paperwork and note the date the judgment can be entered.
Conclusion — take action now so you’re ready later
The six-month waiting period in California can feel like a roadblock, but with the right preparation you can finish every step of the process long before the court can enter judgment. If you prefer a simple, remote, flat-fee solution that handles the paperwork and e-filing for Contra Costa County, I can help.
Schedule a free consultation at divorce661.com and let us handle the details so you can focus on your future.
