California SB 1427 — Effective January 1, 2026
Divorce without putting one spouse
against the other
California's new joint petition lets you start together, avoid formal service and move through the process as equals.
MutualFile guides both spouses through the process with separate secure logins, official court forms, and step-by-step filing instructions for your county court.
From $199/stage· Free to start · No credit card required
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.
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.
Sound like you and your spouse?
Check if you both qualifyTraditional 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
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
How MutualFile Works
Purpose-built for California's 2026 Joint Petition workflow.
- 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 — all prepared automatically.
- 4
Review & approve
Both spouses review the completed forms and approve them before filing.
- 5
File with your court
Download your court-ready packet and take it to your California county court. We include step-by-step filing instructions for your county, so you know exactly what to bring and where to go.
Everything you need to file — prepared for you, start to finish.
Ready to see which forms your case needs?
Start our eligibility checkWhy 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.
See whether joint filing is right for you.
See if we qualifyFrequently Asked Questions
Does the Joint Petition eliminate the 6-month waiting period?
Do both spouses have to participate?
Is the Joint Petition available in every California county?
Do we still have to complete financial disclosures?
What if one of us changes their mind?
How much does MutualFile charge for a Joint Petition?
Ready to file your joint petition?
Both spouses complete a guided interview. MutualFile generates your forms, manages disclosures, and gives you a court-ready packet to file with your county court.
From $199/stageFree to start, no credit card required.