Uncontested Divorce in San Diego County: How It Works

I’m Tim Blankenship with Divorce661. If you and your spouse are in agreement on the major issues—property division, support, and custody—an uncontested divorce in San Diego County can be the fastest, most affordable, and least stressful path forward. Below I’ll walk you through exactly how the process works here in San Diego, why certain steps are required even when you agree, and how we guide couples through a smooth, fully remote divorce from start to finish.

What Is an Uncontested Divorce?

An uncontested divorce means both parties are in full agreement on all material terms of the breakup. There are no contested hearings, no battles over assets, debts, or support, and typically no need to appear in court or hire opposing attorneys. This approach is ideal for couples who want to move on peacefully and efficiently.

Step-by-Step: How Uncontested Divorce Works in San Diego County

San Diego County allows much of the uncontested divorce process to be completed electronically, which speeds things up. Here’s the step-by-step process we follow for clients:

1. File the Initial Forms (Petition and Summons)

• Start by filing the petition and summons with the court. In San Diego, these are filed electronically (e-filing), which reduces processing time.
• Once filed, the court issues a case number and you can move to the next steps.

2. Serve Your Spouse (or Use a Notice & Acknowledgement)

• Formal service is required so the court knows the other party has been notified. If you’re cooperating, your spouse can sign a Notice and Acknowledgement of Receipt instead of using a process server. That signature removes the need for formal service by a third party.

3. Complete and Exchange Financial Disclosures

• Even in an uncontested case, both spouses must fully disclose assets, debts, income, and expenses. This is a mandatory step under California law.
• Disclosures must be accurate and complete—mistakes or omissions can lead to rejection of your judgment or later legal challenges.

4. Draft the Marital Settlement Agreement

• Once financial disclosures are complete, we draft a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) that clearly outlines how property, debts, support, and custody (if applicable) will be handled going forward.
• The MSA becomes the roadmap for your final judgment.

5. Prepare and Submit the Judgment Package

• After the agreement is signed by both parties, we prepare the final judgment package and submit it to the court for approval.
• San Diego County typically processes uncontested judgments in just a few weeks when everything is done correctly.

Timing: When Is Your Divorce Final?

California requires a mandatory waiting period: your divorce is finalized six months after the date your spouse was served or signed the acknowledgement of receipt. That means you can often have everything prepared and approved well before the waiting period ends, but the final dissolution date is fixed by that six-month clock.

Common Misconceptions — A Real Client Story

We recently helped a San Diego couple who assumed their divorce would take a year. Because they were in agreement and hired us to handle the paperwork and court submissions, we filed their case, completed disclosures, finalized the agreement, and submitted the judgment within two weeks. Their case was approved shortly thereafter, and now they’re simply waiting out the mandatory six-month period.

That example shows how much faster an uncontested divorce can be when the process is handled correctly and efficiently.

Why Financial Disclosures Matter (Even If You Agree)

Disclosures are not optional. They protect both parties and the integrity of the court’s approval. Full financial disclosure helps prevent future disputes and reduces the risk the court will reject your judgment for incomplete paperwork. Accuracy here keeps your case moving and preserves the finality of your agreement.

How Divorce661 Helps

At Divorce661 we specialize in uncontested divorces in California, with flat-fee pricing and a 100% remote process for San Diego County. Here’s what we handle for you:

• All paperwork: we prepare and review the petition, disclosures, Marital Settlement Agreement, and judgment package.
• Electronic filing with the San Diego courts.
• Guidance on service: how to use a Notice & Acknowledgement correctly to avoid process-server costs.
• Quality control to avoid common mistakes that cause rejections or delays.
• Step-by-step support so you and your spouse know what to expect at every stage.

Who Is a Good Fit for an Uncontested Divorce?

• Couples who can communicate and reach agreement on division of assets and debts.
• Parents who want to settle custody and support terms cooperatively.
• Parties seeking a low-cost, low-conflict, and timely resolution without court battles.

Next Steps and Where to Get Help

If you and your spouse are ready to move forward peacefully and efficiently, take the first step: get your questions answered and see how a flat-fee, remote uncontested divorce can work for you. Visit Divorce661.com to schedule a free consultation and we’ll walk you through the entire process.

Final Thoughts

An uncontested divorce in San Diego County can save you time, money, and emotional stress when both parties are willing to cooperate. The process is straightforward when you understand the steps—file the petition, serve or have your spouse sign an acknowledgement, complete financial disclosures, sign a clear Marital Settlement Agreement, and submit the judgment. If you want a smooth, correctly handled divorce without court appearances or attorney battles, we can help you get it done right.

Ready to get started? Visit Divorce661.com for a free consultation and learn how we can complete your uncontested divorce quickly, affordably, and without stress.