Filing for divorce in San Diego is never an easy decision, but when it’s the only option left, it’s important to understand the legal process and requirements involved. If you are looking to file for divorce in San Diego, you’ll need to know the specific steps involved and the laws governing the divorce process in California. 

This article will explain the process of filing for divorce in San Diego, including the requirements, the filing process, and what to expect during the divorce process.

Steps of filing for divorce in San Diego

Filing for divorce in San Diego involves 12 important steps. They are as follows.

Step 1: Meet the Residency Requirements

Before filing for divorce in San Diego, you must meet the residency requirements. Either you or your spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in San Diego County for at least three months before filing for divorce. If you or your spouse do not meet these requirements, you cannot file for divorce in San Diego.

Step 2: Choose the Type of Divorce

The next step is to choose the type of divorce you want to file. There are two types of divorce in California – uncontested and contested. An uncontested divorce means that you and your spouse have agreed on all issues, including property division, spousal support, child custody, and visitation. A contested divorce means that you and your spouse cannot agree on one or more issues and will need to go to court to resolve them.

You can also consider divorce mediation services if you wish to go for an uncontested divorce that does not involve court trials. Mediation can help you and your spouse to come to terms with the divorce and find a middle ground that you can both agree upon. This can lead to an uncontested divorce since any issues you could not agree on have been resolved through mediation.

Step 3: File the Petition

Once you’ve met the residency requirements and chosen the type of divorce, you’ll need to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the court. This is a legal document that outlines your reasons for wanting a divorce and the relief you’re seeking, such as spousal support, child custody, and property division.

You’ll need to pay a filing fee to the court when you file the petition. The fee varies depending on the county, but in San Diego County, it’s currently $435. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can ask the court for a fee waiver. Having an experienced divorce attorney on your side can help make this process easier for you.

Step 4: Serve the Petition

After you’ve filed the petition, you must serve it to your spouse. This means that you must deliver a copy of the petition and a Summons to your spouse. The Summons is a legal document that notifies your spouse that you’ve filed for divorce and tells them what they need to do next.

You can serve the petition and Summons in person or by mail. If you serve them in person, you can’t be the one to deliver them. You’ll need to have someone else who is over 18 and not involved in the case serve them for you. If you serve them by mail, you’ll need to use a specific type of mail service and follow certain rules.

A divorce attorney with significant experience handling divorce cases in San Diego can help you out with this process. They will know what type of mail service needs to be used and the rules that need to be followed and can explain them to you. This is especially important if your divorce case involves issues like domestic violence against you or your children.

Step 5: Respond to the Petition

Once your spouse has been served with the petition and Summons, they have 30 days to file a Response. The Response is their opportunity to tell the court what they agree with and what they disagree with in your petition.

If your spouse doesn’t file a Response, you can ask the court to enter a default judgment against them. This means that the court will grant you the relief you’re seeking in your petition without your spouse’s input.

Step 6: Discovery

Discovery is a legal process in which both parties in a divorce case in San Diego can request and exchange information and documents relevant to the case. Discovery can include requests for production of documents, interrogatories, requests for admissions, and depositions.

Requests for the production of documents can be used to obtain financial records, such as tax returns, bank statements, and pay stubs. Interrogatories are written questions that must be answered under oath, and requests for admissions are written statements that the other party must either admit or deny.

Depositions involve a witness answering questions under oath in the presence of a court reporter. Depositions can be used to gather information from the other party or from witnesses.

Discovery can be a useful tool in a divorce case to gather information and evidence to support your case. It’s important to work with an experienced divorce attorney who can guide you through the discovery process and help ensure that your rights and interests are protected.

Step 7: Temporary Orders

Temporary orders are court orders issued during the divorce process in San Diego that address urgent issues that need to be resolved before the final divorce judgment is entered. These orders can be issued by a judge to provide temporary relief for issues such as child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division.

Temporary orders are designed to ensure that both parties are able to maintain their standard of living during the divorce process and to provide stability for any children involved. The orders are in effect until a final judgment is entered or until a further order is issued by the court.

Temporary orders can be requested by either party in a divorce case, and can be issued after a hearing or by agreement of the parties. It’s important to work with an experienced divorce attorney to ensure that any temporary orders are fair and equitable, and to protect your interests during the divorce process.

Step 8: Negotiate a Settlement

Negotiating a settlement is often the most efficient and cost-effective way to resolve issues related to divorce. In a settlement, both parties agree to the terms of the divorce, including property division, spousal support, child custody, and visitation.

To negotiate a settlement, you and your spouse will need to communicate openly and honestly about your needs and priorities. It’s important to approach negotiations with a cooperative mindset and to avoid making demands or ultimatums.

It may be helpful to work with a mediator, who is a neutral third party who can help facilitate discussions and offer suggestions for compromise. A mediator can also help ensure that both parties are fully informed about their legal rights and obligations.

Once you and your spouse have reached a settlement agreement, it’s important to have it reviewed by an experienced divorce attorney to ensure it is fair and legally binding. If both parties agree to the terms of the settlement, it can be presented to the court for approval.

Negotiating a settlement can help reduce the emotional and financial costs of divorce, and can allow both parties to maintain greater control over the outcome of the divorce. It’s important to approach negotiations with a spirit of cooperation and to work with experienced professionals who can help ensure that your rights and interests are protected.

Step 9: Attend Court Hearings

If you and your spouse cannot agree on all issues, you will need to attend court hearings to resolve them. The court will schedule a series of hearings to address various issues related to your divorce. These hearings are formal proceedings where a judge will listen to both sides and make decisions based on the evidence and arguments presented.

The first court hearing is usually an Initial Status Conference (ISC). It is a brief meeting between the parties and the judge to discuss the status of the case and set deadlines for future court proceedings. During the ISC, the judge may also issue temporary orders regarding child custody, support, or other issues until the final judgment is entered.

It’s important to be prepared for court hearings by gathering all necessary documents and evidence, such as financial records, emails, text messages, and witness statements. You should also dress appropriately and arrive on time. It’s recommended that you consult with an experienced divorce attorney who can represent you in court and advocate for your interests.

Step 10: Attend a Mandatory Settlement Conference

Before a contested divorce goes to trial, the court will require both parties to attend a Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC). The MSC is a meeting between the parties, their attorneys, and a neutral third-party mediator. The mediator will try to help the parties reach a settlement agreement and avoid going to trial.

During the MSC, the mediator will listen to both sides and provide feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s case. The mediator may also suggest solutions and compromises to help the parties reach an agreement.

The goal of the MSC is to resolve as many issues as possible and to narrow the remaining issues that will need to be addressed at trial. If the parties are able to reach a settlement agreement at the MSC, the case will not need to go to trial, which can save both time and money.

It’s important to come prepared to the MSC with all necessary documents and evidence and to be open to compromise and negotiation. An experienced divorce attorney can provide guidance and representation during the MSC and help protect your interests.

Step 11: Attend the Trial

If the parties are unable to reach a settlement agreement, the divorce case may go to trial. At trial, each party presents evidence and arguments to the judge. The judge will then make decisions on issues such as property division, spousal support, child custody, and child support.

It’s important to attend the trial and be prepared to present evidence and testimony in support of your case. An experienced divorce attorney can help you prepare for trial and provide guidance and representation during the process.

After the trial, the judge will issue a final judgment, which may include orders on property division, spousal support, child custody, and child support. It’s important to carefully review the judgment and ensure that it accurately reflects the decisions made by the judge.

Step 12: Finalize the Divorce

After a final judgment is issued by the judge, the divorce can be finalized. This typically involves preparing and filing final documents with the court, such as the Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage and any necessary property transfer documents.

Once the court approves the final documents, the divorce is considered final and the parties are legally divorced. It’s important to follow all necessary procedures to ensure that the divorce is properly finalized and all necessary documents are filed.

After the divorce is finalized, both parties can begin to move forward with their lives. It’s important to review and update any legal documents or accounts such as wills, trusts, and life insurance policies. This is to ensure that they accurately reflect the new status of the parties.

Summing up

Filing for divorce in San Diego can be a complex process, but understanding the steps involved can help make it more manageable. It is important to follow all the 12 steps outlined above to ensure that your divorce is legally valid in San Diego, California.

If you’re considering filing for divorce, it’s important to consult with an experienced divorce attorney who can guide you through the process and protect your rights. With the right legal representation, you can navigate the divorce process with confidence and move forward with your life.If you’re considering filing for divorce in San Diego, don’t go through it alone. Contact an experienced divorce attorney today to learn more about your legal options and how they can help you through this difficult time.