San Bernardino County Divorce Laws: What You Need to Know
I’m Tim Blankenship with Divorce661. If you’re planning to file for divorce in San Bernardino County, there are a few fundamental rules and local procedures you need to understand so your case doesn’t suffer avoidable delays, rejections, or extra cost. Below I walk through the essentials—what the law requires, how the timeline works, why financial disclosures matter, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
What you’ll learn
- Why California is a no-fault divorce state and what that means for your case
- How San Bernardino follows state law but enforces local court procedures
- When the mandatory six-month waiting period starts and why it matters
- Why financial disclosures are required—even in amicable situations—and what they include
- A real client example of what happens when disclosures are skipped and how we fixed it
- How Divorce661 can help you file correctly and efficiently
California is a no-fault divorce state — what that actually means
California law allows divorce on a no-fault basis. You don’t need to prove wrongdoing, abuse, or adultery. All you need to state is that you and your spouse have “irreconcilable differences.” That simplifies the grounds for filing, but it doesn’t remove other requirements the court will impose during the process.
San Bernardino County follows state law — but local rules matter
San Bernardino County applies California’s statewide family law statutes, but each courthouse can have its own local rules for filing, forms, deadlines, and hearing procedures. That means the fundamentals are the same as anywhere in California, but the paperwork and the community practices can vary by court.
Common areas where local rules can differ include:
- Which forms the court expects submitted with your petition
- How documents must be filed (electronic vs. in-person)
- Deadlines for supplemental filings or responses
- Procedures for getting hearings placed on the calendar
The mandatory six-month waiting period — when the clock starts
California requires a minimum waiting period of six months before a dissolution of marriage can be finalized. In San Bernardino County the countdown begins when your spouse has been properly served with the divorce paperwork (or has filed a response). Even if all paperwork, agreements, and hearings happen quickly, the court will not enter a final judgment until the statutory waiting period has elapsed.
Proper service is critical. If service is defective, the six-month clock may not be triggered and your case can be delayed.
Financial disclosures: always required and always important
No matter how friendly or uncontested your divorce is, California requires parties to exchange financial disclosures. These are not optional—even couples who have reached a full agreement must provide accurate and complete financial paperwork before the court will approve a judgment.
Typical disclosures include:
- An itemized list of assets and debts
- Income and expense information
- Supporting documents such as pay stubs, bank statements, and tax returns (as required)
These disclosures allow the court to confirm that any agreement or proposed judgment is fair and informed. Incomplete or inaccurate disclosures can result in a judgment being rejected or later attacked by the other party.
Real client story: skipping disclosures cost time — and how we fixed it
We recently handled a San Bernardino County case where both spouses were amicable and believed they could skip the financial disclosures. The court rejected their proposed judgment because the mandatory disclosures were missing. We corrected the mistake by preparing the required disclosure forms accurately, resubmitted them, and the judgment was approved quickly.
“They thought they could skip disclosures since they were in agreement. Their judgment was rejected. We fixed the issues, resubmitted the correct forms, and got the judgment approved quickly.”
How Divorce661 helps — a practical checklist
At Divorce661 we focus on making the process fast, accurate, and stress-free. Here are the practical steps we handle so you don’t miss anything important:
- Explain local San Bernardino court rules and required forms
- Prepare and file the initial paperwork correctly
- Arrange proper service of process and confirm the six-month timeline
- Prepare and exchange complete financial disclosures
- Respond to court queries and resubmit corrected documents if necessary
- Finalize and submit the judgment for court approval
Common questions people ask
Do I need to prove fault to get a divorce?
No. California is a no-fault state. You only need to state irreconcilable differences.
When does the six-month waiting period start?
The clock starts when your spouse has been properly served or has filed a response—proper service is essential.
Can we skip financial disclosures if we agree on everything?
No. The court requires financial disclosures even for uncontested divorces. Failing to provide them can cause rejection of the judgment.
Next steps
If you’re planning to file in San Bernardino County and want to avoid delays or rejected judgments, get the disclosure paperwork right and follow local filing procedures carefully. If you’d like help, visit Divorce661.com to schedule a free consultation. We handle filing, service, disclosures, and the final judgment process so you can move forward with confidence.
Questions or concerns?
What part of the divorce process do you find most confusing—waiting periods, disclosures, or paperwork? Share your questions and I’ll do my best to answer them.
