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MutualFile
Divorce, handled calmly.

California SB 1427 — Effective January 1, 2026

File for Divorce Together
in California

No petitioner. No respondent. No one gets served.

California's new Joint Petition law lets couples file as equals instead of one spouse suing the other. MutualFile guides both spouses through the process with separate secure logins, official court forms, and direct e-filing with your county court.

From $199/stage· Free to start · No credit card required

Start your joint petitionSee how it works
Official CA judicial formsE-filed with your countyCourt acceptance guaranteeSecure & encrypted

One case. Two secure logins. File together.

Both spouses work through the same case with their own private accounts.

Is This Right for You?

Joint Petition divorce works best when both spouses already agree the marriage should end.

You both want the divorce
There is no major conflict between you
You are willing to cooperate on paperwork
You want the simplest legal process

Not sure? If your situation involves domestic violence, a spouse you can't locate, or genuinely contested assets, we recommend consulting a licensed attorney. MutualFile will tell you directly if your case isn't a good fit.

Traditional Divorce vs. Joint Petition

Traditional Divorce

  • Petitioner vs. Respondent
  • Process server required
  • One spouse sues the other
  • 6-month clock starts after service
  • Service fees + extra paperwork
New in 2026

Joint Petition (SB 1427)

  • Both spouses file as equals
  • No service required
  • Collaborative from day one
  • 6-month clock starts immediately
  • Fewer forms, no service fees
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How MutualFile Works

Purpose-built for California's 2026 Joint Petition workflow.

  1. 1

    Both spouses create accounts

    Each gets a private, secure login on the same case.

  2. 2

    Guided interview

    Answer questions about your marriage, children, property, and finances at your own pace.

  3. 3

    We generate official forms

    FL-700, FL-710, financial disclosures, and any other required documents — all prepared automatically.

  4. 4

    Review & approve

    Both spouses review the completed forms and approve them before we submit.

  5. 5

    E-filed with your court

    We submit directly to your California county. If the court requests corrections, we handle them at no extra cost.

No courthouse visits required.

Why Couples Choose Joint Petition

No Process Server

Filing together counts as service. Skip the sheriff, the process server fees, and the tension of “being served.”

File as Equals

No more “Petitioner vs. Respondent.” You are Petitioner 1 and Petitioner 2 — setting a collaborative tone from day one.

6-Month Clock Starts Immediately

The mandatory waiting period begins the moment you file — no delays waiting for service or proof of service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Joint Petition eliminate the 6-month waiting period?
No. California still requires a minimum six-month waiting period before a divorce becomes final. However, with a Joint Petition the timeline starts immediately when you file — no delays caused by serving your spouse.
Do both spouses have to participate?
Yes. A Joint Petition requires active participation from both spouses. If one spouse later stops cooperating, the case can convert to a traditional petition without losing your original filing date.
Is the Joint Petition available in every California county?
Yes. Joint Petition divorce is a statewide process under California law and applies in all 58 counties.
Do we still have to complete financial disclosures?
Yes. California requires financial disclosure forms even in uncontested divorces. MutualFile guides both spouses through these step-by-step.
What if one of us changes their mind?
Either spouse can revoke the Joint Petition at any time using Form FL-720. The case reverts to a traditional filing without losing your original filing date or waiting period progress.
How much does MutualFile charge for a Joint Petition?
MutualFile uses a pay-as-you-go model starting at $199 per stage. You start for free — no credit card required — and only pay when you're ready to file. Court filing fees are separate and vary by county.

Ready to file your joint petition?

Both spouses complete a guided interview. MutualFile generates your forms, manages disclosures, and e-files with your county court.

From $199/stageFree to start, no credit card required.

Start your joint petitionSee how it works
No credit card requiredCourt acceptance guaranteeOfficial CA judicial forms256-bit encrypted