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. (California law calls divorce dissolution of marriage, so you'll also see this described as a joint petition for dissolution — it's the same process.) MutualFile prepares 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.

• Judicial Council 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

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.

California Joint Petition Divorce Forms: The Full List

Every form a California joint petition divorce can involve, in the order you'll meet it. The linked forms each have their own guide.

To open the case

• FL-700 — Joint Petition: the petition both spouses sign as Petitioner 1 and Petitioner 2. It asks the court for a dissolution of your marriage or domestic partnership.
• FL-710 — Summons—Joint Petition: filed with the FL-700 and never served; it switches on the automatic restraining orders that protect both spouses' finances.
• FL-105 — Declaration Under UCCJEA: only if you have children under 18 (see joint divorce with children).
• FL-700-INFO: the court's optional information sheet. Read it; you don't file it.

Within 60 days of filing

• FL-142 — Schedule of Assets and Debts and FL-150 — Income and Expense Declaration: the preliminary financial disclosures, exchanged between spouses rather than filed with the court.
• FL-141 — Declaration Regarding Service of Disclosure: the one-page form each spouse files to prove the exchange happened.

If plans change

• FL-720 — Notice of Revocation: how either spouse can revert to a traditional divorce without losing time.

To finish

• FL-180 — Judgment and FL-190 — Notice of Entry of Judgment: your written agreement is attached to the FL-180; the FL-190 is your proof the divorce is final.

Also useful when deciding whether to file jointly, and what to expect once you have:

• FL-700 vs. FL-100: joint petition or traditional divorce — which fits your situation.
• FL-700 vs. FL-800: joint petition or summary dissolution — which one you actually qualify for.
• What happens after you file the FL-700: a month-by-month timeline from the file stamp to the final judgment.
• 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 →