Step-by-Step Guide to an Amicable Divorce in Riverside | Riverside Divorce

I’m Tim Blankenship from Divorce661. If you and your spouse want a fast, affordable, and peaceful way to finalize your divorce in Riverside County, an amicable—or uncontested—divorce can be the best path forward. In this post I’ll walk you through the exact five-step process we use to keep things simple, avoid courtroom time, and get your paperwork approved efficiently.

Why choose an amicable divorce?

• Speed: When both parties agree, the paperwork moves quickly—many couples complete the filing and approval steps in under 30 days.
• Affordability: Flat-fee services replace hourly attorney billing, reducing cost and surprise fees.
• Peace of mind: You avoid contentious courtroom battles and preserve a cooperative relationship—especially important when children are involved.
• Convenience: Riverside’s eFiling system and online workflows let you complete most steps without in-person court appearances.

Overview: The 5-step amicable divorce process

The process we use at Divorce661 follows five clear steps. When both parties cooperate and all documents are complete, the steps flow fast and cleanly.

1. File the initial paperwork (petition, summons, and UCCJEA)
2. Serve your spouse using a Notice of Acknowledgement (acknowledgment of service)
3. Complete mandatory financial disclosures
4. Draft and sign a comprehensive Marital Settlement Agreement
5. Submit the judgment package and await court approval

Step 1 — File the petition, summons, and UCCJEA electronically

Start by preparing and eFiling the Petition for Dissolution, the Summons, and the UCCJEA (if you have children). Riverside County’s eFile system makes this straightforward. Filing electronically keeps everything organized, creates a digital record, and speeds the clerk’s processing time.

Step 2 — Serve your spouse with a Notice of Acknowledgement

When your spouse is willing to cooperate, the easiest and least adversarial way to proceed is with a Notice of Acknowledgement (sometimes called an Acknowledgement of Service). Instead of formal sheriff or registered mail service, your spouse signs to acknowledge they received the forms. This reduces conflict and gets your case moving quickly.

Step 3 — Complete mandatory financial disclosures

Even in amicable divorces, California requires full financial transparency. You’ll exchange disclosures so both parties know the accurate picture of income, assets, and debts. Typical documents include:

• Income statements and recent pay stubs
• Federal tax returns (usually last two years)
• Bank account statements
• Retirement and investment account summaries
• Mortgage and loan statements

Completing these disclosures truthfully is essential. Clear, accurate disclosures avoid later disputes and make judicial approval smoother.

Step 4 — Create a comprehensive Marital Settlement Agreement

The Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) is the heart of your amicable divorce. This is where you put every agreed term in writing so the judge can sign off on the final judgment. A good MSA covers:

• Division of property and debts
• Spousal support (if any)
• Parenting schedule and child support calculations
• Health insurance and coverage for the children
• Any other financial or logistical arrangements

The clearer and more detailed the agreement, the faster the court will approve it. Ambiguity or missing items often cause delays.

Step 5 — Submit your judgment package and wait for approval

Once the petition, disclosures, signed MSA, and required forms are assembled, you submit the judgment package to the court. If everything is in order, many couples see approval quickly—sometimes under 30 days for the paperwork stage. Remember: in California there is still a mandatory six-month waiting period from the date the petition is served before the divorce becomes final.

Common questions and quick answers

• Do we have to go to court? Usually not for uncontested divorces. If the judge has questions or needs signatures clarified, they may request additional information, but in most amicable cases no courtroom appearance is required.
• Can I do this without an attorney? Yes—many couples use flat-fee services or complete the process themselves. However, you should get help drafting the MSA to ensure legal compliance and fairness.
• How long does the whole divorce take? The paperwork and approval steps can be fast (often under 30 days in cooperative cases), but the statutory waiting period in California means finalization takes at least six months from service.
• What if we disagree later? A clear MSA reduces the chance of future disputes. If disagreements arise, you can pursue modifications, but those require additional filings or mediation.

Why work with Divorce661?

At Divorce661 I specialize in flat-fee, full-service divorces for amicable couples in California. We handle the filing, service, disclosures, and judgment paperwork—100% online and court-compliant. That means fewer headaches for you and a predictable cost structure rather than unpredictable hourly billing.

If you want help getting started or prefer someone to manage every step, visit Divorce661.com and schedule your free consultation. We’ll answer your questions, prepare the paperwork, and guide you through a peaceful transition.

Conclusion

An amicable divorce in Riverside is a practical option when both parties agree and are willing to cooperate. With Riverside’s eFiling system, a properly drafted Marital Settlement Agreement, and full financial disclosures, you can avoid courtroom battles and complete the necessary paperwork quickly and affordably. If you want this process handled for you, my team and I at Divorce661 are ready to help you move forward with confidence and peace of mind.

Many couples complete the paperwork and receive court approval in under 30 days—then wait out the mandatory six-month period to finalize the divorce.