California Joint Petition Divorce (SB 1427)

File together. No one gets served.

As of January 1, 2026, California couples who already agree can file for divorce as equals — no process server, no "petitioner vs. respondent," no adversarial start. MutualFile handles the forms and disclosures from a shared dashboard with separate secure logins for each spouse, then gives you court-ready documents and step-by-step instructions for filing them with your county.

One case. Two secure logins. File together.

• Official California judicial forms (FL-700, FL-710)
• Court-ready packet formatted for your county court
• Step-by-step filing instructions — what to bring, where to go, what to expect
• Secure, encrypted, California-specific workflow
• No lawyer needed for an uncontested divorce

Is This Right for You?

The Joint Petition works for couples who:

• Both want the divorce — you've already had the conversation
• Are willing to cooperate — you don't need a final agreement yet, but you intend to reach one
• Can share financial information — California requires financial disclosures from both sides
• Want the lowest-conflict path — no courtroom battle, no "being served"

If you meet these criteria, the Joint Petition is almost certainly the fastest, least expensive way to divorce in California.

Traditional Divorce vs. Joint Petition

| | Traditional Filing | Joint Petition (SB 1427) | |---|---|---| | Roles | Petitioner vs. Respondent | Petitioner 1 & Petitioner 2 — equals | | Service | Must hire a process server or sheriff | Filing together is service — skip it entirely | | Tone | One spouse "sues" the other | Both spouses file as a team | | 6-month clock | Starts after service + proof of service filed | Starts the moment you file | | Cost | Process server fees + extra paperwork | No service fees, fewer forms | | If things change | Already adversarial | Either spouse can revoke (Form FL-720) and revert to traditional — no lost time |

How MutualFile Works

MutualFile was purpose-built for the 2026 Joint Petition workflow. Here's what happens:

1. Both spouses create accounts — each gets a private, secure login on the same case
2. Guided interview — answer questions about your marriage, children, property, and finances at your own pace
3. We generate official forms — FL-700, FL-710, financial disclosures, and any other required documents
4. Review & download — both spouses review the completed forms and download them ready for signing
5. File with your court — you take the finished packet to your California county court, with step-by-step instructions covering where to file, what the court charges, and what to expect at the window.

Everything is court-ready before you go.

What Changed in 2026 (SB 1427)

Before 2026, "Joint Petitions" in California were only available through Summary Dissolution — limited to couples married less than five years with no children and minimal assets.

Senate Bill 1427 removed those restrictions. Even if you have children, own a home, or have been married for decades, you can now file jointly using the new Form FL-700.

The 3 Biggest Benefits

1. No More Process Servers

In a traditional divorce, you must legally "serve" your spouse with papers — often involving a sheriff or a paid process server. With a Joint Petition, the act of filing together counts as service. You skip the fees, the paperwork, and the tension.

2. No "Petitioner vs. Respondent"

Being labeled a "Respondent" feels adversarial from day one. Under SB 1427, you are simply Petitioner 1 and Petitioner 2. This sets a collaborative tone for everything that follows — custody, support, asset division.

3. The 6-Month Clock Starts Immediately

California requires a 6-month waiting period before a divorce is final. In a traditional filing, the clock doesn't start until the second spouse is served and proof is filed. With a Joint Petition, the countdown starts the moment you file — no delays.

What if Things Change?

Don't worry. California law allows either spouse to revoke the Joint Petition at any time using Form FL-720. You revert to a traditional filing without losing your original filing date or waiting period progress. See how FL-720 revocation works in detail.

Go Deeper: The Joint Petition Forms

Each form in the joint petition has its own guide:

• FL-700 — Joint Petition: what it asks for, filing instructions, and cost.
• FL-710 — Summons—Joint Petition: the summons you never serve, and the automatic restraining orders it triggers.
• FL-720 — Notice of Revocation: how either spouse can revert to a traditional divorce without losing time.
• Final judgment (FL-180 & FL-190): how the divorce actually gets finished after the six-month wait.

Also useful when deciding whether to file jointly:

• FL-700 vs. FL-100: joint petition or traditional divorce — which fits your situation.
• Joint divorce with children: the extra UCCJEA, custody, and support forms when you have kids.
• How much an FL-700 divorce costs: court fees, fee waivers, and what a joint petition saves.

Start Your Joint Petition

Both of you answer a guided interview. MutualFile generates your FL-700, FL-710, financial disclosures, and every other required form — court-ready and signature-ready. You get step-by-step instructions for filing the packet with your county court.

Start your free California Joint Petition draft →

See the full Joint Petition overview →