Frequently Asked Questions

MutualFile is an online platform that helps you prepare divorce documents in California. We guide you through a simple interview, generate your completed court forms, and give you step-by-step instructions for filing them with your county court.

No. MutualFile is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We are a technology platform that helps you prepare documents. If you need legal advice, you should consult a licensed attorney.

MutualFile is designed for couples seeking an uncontested divorce in California. This means both spouses generally agree on the terms of the divorce, including property division, custody, and support.

If you and your spouse cannot agree on the terms of your divorce, MutualFile may not be the right fit. We recommend consulting a licensed attorney for contested divorces, complex asset situations, or cases involving safety concerns.

MutualFile gives you court-ready documents plus step-by-step filing instructions for your county, so you know exactly what to bring to the courthouse. We also let both spouses collaborate on the same case, and our AI-assisted review checks your forms for errors before you file.

Yes. MutualFile supports cases involving minor children. The guided interview will ask about custody, visitation, and child support so the correct forms are prepared for your situation.

The AI-guided interview typically takes about 15 minutes. You can save your progress and come back anytime — you don't need to complete it in one sitting.

You'll need basic personal information (names, dates of birth), your marriage date, date of separation, information about any minor children, and a general overview of your income, assets, and debts.

MutualFile generates the court-approved forms required for your California divorce filing. The specific forms depend on your situation, including whether you have children, property, or support arrangements.

Yes. You review and approve every document before you take it to the court. If something needs to be changed, you can go back and update your answers and we'll regenerate the forms.

After you finish the interview, MutualFile generates your court forms and runs an AI-assisted review. You'll review everything in your document hub, then download your court-ready packet along with step-by-step instructions for filing it with your county court.

Yes. Your progress is saved automatically. You can close the browser and pick up right where you left off whenever you're ready.

MutualFile includes an AI-assisted accuracy review that flags common errors before filing. If you spot something after filing, we can help you prepare amended forms.

Yes. You can invite your spouse to collaborate on the same case. Each of you completes your own sections separately, and you can work through shared decisions together on the platform.

If you invite your spouse, they may see shared case information, including personal, financial, and divorce-related details. You are responsible for deciding what information to share.

No. Spouse collaboration is optional. You can complete your filing without your spouse using the platform, though collaboration can make the process smoother for uncontested divorces.

Once you approve your documents, MutualFile gives you a court-ready packet and step-by-step filing instructions for your county. You file them yourself — most California counties accept filings in person at the courthouse clerk, by mail, or through the court's own e-filing portal. The court gives you conformed (stamped) copies once your documents are accepted.

No. Courts have sole authority over acceptance and processing of divorce filings. MutualFile helps you prepare your documents, but we cannot guarantee court acceptance or approval.

California has a mandatory 6-month waiting period. In a traditional divorce it runs from the date the respondent is served; in a joint petition (SB 1427) it runs from the date the petition is filed, because there is no service step. The total timeline also depends on your county's court processing times and the complexity of your case. MutualFile does not control court timelines.

If the court requires corrections, tell us what the clerk flagged and we'll help you understand what needs to be updated. You can make changes in your case, generate corrected forms, and take them back to the court.

MutualFile prepares California divorce forms for use in any California county, and your filing instructions are tailored to the county where you file. Start your case to see the instructions for your county.

California courts generally charge approximately $435 to $450 for each spouse's first appearance — one fee for the petitioner and one for the respondent — and the exact amount is set by your county, so confirm the current figure with your court. A joint petition does not avoid the second fee: both spouses are still appearing, so budget for two. Fee waivers may be available if you meet income requirements. These fees are paid to the court and are separate from MutualFile's service fees.

California law requires a minimum 6-month waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. When the start date is measured from depends on how you file: a traditional divorce counts from the date the respondent is served, while a joint petition (SB 1427) counts from the date the petition is filed. Filing jointly therefore starts the clock sooner, because no service step is required.

No. Court filing fees are separate and paid directly to the court when you file. These fees vary by county. MutualFile's fee covers document preparation only.

Because MutualFile provides digital document preparation services, refunds are limited once work has begun. For full details, please see our Refund Policy page.

All payments are securely processed by Stripe. MutualFile does not store your full credit card number or CVV.

MutualFile uses technology to automate the document preparation process, which keeps costs low. A traditional divorce attorney may charge $3,000–$15,000 or more. MutualFile handles the paperwork for a fraction of that cost.

No. MutualFile uses pay-as-you-go pricing — you only pay for the stage you're on. Court filing fees are separate and paid directly to the court. There are no surprise charges or subscriptions.

Yes. All data is encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest. We use industry-standard security measures including secure storage and access controls. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.

Yes. MutualFile uses artificial intelligence to guide you through the interview process and assist with document preparation. AI-generated content may contain errors and must be reviewed by you before filing.

Yes. California residents have the right to request deletion of their personal information under the CCPA/CPRA. Visit our contact page to submit a deletion request.

All data is encrypted with 256-bit encryption in transit and at rest. We use secure cloud infrastructure, strict access controls, and regular security reviews. Your personal information is never sold to third parties.

Only if you choose to invite your spouse to collaborate. When you do, shared case information becomes visible to both parties. You control when and whether to invite your spouse.