How to Revoke a California Joint Petition (Form FL-720)

One of the reasons the California Joint Petition is a low-risk way to file is that it isn't a one-way door. If either spouse changes their mind, Form FL-720 (Notice of Revocation of Joint Petition) lets you back out and switch to a traditional divorce — without losing your original filing date or the time already run on your waiting period.

This guide explains what revocation does, who can do it, and what happens next.

What is Form FL-720?

The FL-720 is the official Judicial Council form that cancels the "joint" nature of a joint petition. Because a joint petition depends on both spouses participating as equals, California law gives each spouse the ability to end that arrangement unilaterally. Filing the FL-720 tells the court that the case should no longer proceed jointly.

Importantly, revoking does not dismiss your divorce — it converts it. The case continues as a traditional petition-and-response matter from the same case number.

Who can revoke, and when?

• Either spouse — Petitioner 1 or Petitioner 2 — can file the FL-720.
• At any time before the judgment is entered.
• No reason required. You don't have to explain or justify the decision to the court.

What happens after you file the FL-720

When a joint petition is revoked, the case reverts to the traditional adversarial structure — but you keep your place in line:

| | Effect of filing FL-720 | |---|---| | Your filing date | Preserved — you keep the original date the joint petition was filed | | Your 6-month waiting period | Continues from the original filing — time already run is not lost | | Roles | The case becomes Petitioner vs. Respondent again | | Which form takes over | If Petitioner 1 revokes, the case proceeds on an amended FL-100 Petition; if Petitioner 2 revokes, it proceeds on an FL-120 Response | | Service | The traditional service of process rules may now apply, since the case is no longer joint |

Because your filing date and waiting-period progress carry over, revocation is genuinely low-cost: you don't restart the clock, you simply change the track your case runs on.

When would you revoke a joint petition?

Couples generally file jointly because they agree. But circumstances change. You might revoke if:

• One spouse stops cooperating on paperwork or disclosures.
• A dispute emerges over property, support, or custody that you can't resolve by agreement.
• Safety concerns arise — if there's any risk of domestic violence, the collaborative joint-petition model is no longer appropriate, and a traditional (or protective) path is safer.
• One spouse simply changes their mind about proceeding together.

If your situation involves domestic violence or a spouse you can't safely work with, don't rely on a joint petition — talk to a licensed family-law attorney or a local domestic-violence resource.

Does revoking cost extra?

The FL-720 itself is a court form, not a MutualFile charge. Whether the court charges a fee to convert or to file the amended documents depends on your county — confirm with your court. Keep in mind that once the case is traditional again, you may incur the service costs a joint petition avoids.

The bottom line

The FL-720 is the safety valve that makes filing jointly a comfortable first choice: try the collaborative path, and if it stops working, either of you can revert to a traditional divorce without penalty to your timeline. That's a big part of why filing together under SB 1427 is often the smartest way to start.

MutualFile is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

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