Divorce in Contra Costa County
If you are ready to start an uncontested divorce online or offline in Contra Costa County, California, order the paperwork from us to facilitate the filing process.
We offer:
- Available fixed fee of $159
- 100% court-approved case-specific divorce forms
- Round-the-clock support and availability of service
- Full step-by-step filing guide
- Flexible deadlines and installment plans
Complete Contra Costa County Divorce Forms Online
Couples who agree on all the terms and conditions of marriage dissolution and start an uncontested divorce in Contra Costa County can save thousands in lawyer’s fees since they can go without legal assistance. If they can cope with all the paperwork and stages of the process on their own, they can even file for divorce online, further minimizing their expenses.
Yet, dealing with divorce forms in Contra Costa is not that simple and may entail certain risks. Legal terminology is quite tricky, and a variety of optional forms may confuse you, leading to errors in paperwork. The court will not accept incomplete or improperly filled-out documents. Even a single misspelled word may result in the refiling of papers and paying another fee, which is fraught with extra effort, time, and expenses.
Understanding such challenges, we offer our online paperwork preparation help for couples eager to undergo a Contra Costa County divorce process on their own quickly and stress-free. After you spend some 30 minutes of your time completing our online questionnaire, our system will select and fill out the appropriate papers specific to your unique situation. For a moderate fixed fee, you’ll get a full package of court-approved Contra Costa County divorce forms and a comprehensive guide on the filing process.
File for Divorce in Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County’s divorce filing process may differ slightly from case to case. Yet, the first obligatory step is always paperwork preparation.
When filing for divorce in Contra Costa County, you must consider the circumstances that would define the case type and the kind of forms you need to complete. This issue depends on whether you have children, high-value property, full agreement with your spouse, etc.
Work on divorce paperwork may seem quite challenging and even frightening, but we are here to help you prepare documents for your divorce in Contra Costa County. Here’s what you need to do:
Answer a few questions about your divorce case to figure out if you qualify for an uncontested marriage dissolution.
Provide detailed answers in our comprehensive online questionnaire about your marriage and divorce. They will guide our system in selecting the proper forms and filling them out with the necessary information.
Within the time you choose, you’ll be able to download the full package of ready-to-file divorce papers and get step-by-step instructions on how to file for divorce in Contra Costa County as a bonus.
How to Get an Uncontested Divorce in Contra Costa County?
To get an uncontested divorce in Contra Costa County, ensure that both you and your spouse want to terminate the marriage and agree on all the terms concerning children, property, and other post-divorce aspects. If you want to proceed without the attorney’s involvement, you should get acquainted with the county’s requirements and regulations, prepare all the necessary materials, and know how to file for divorce step by step.
We have prepared an approximate guide on how to file an uncontested divorce when spouses are in full agreement, omitting the issues specific to contested cases. Moreover, if you have a highly contentious marriage dissolution, we strongly recommend consulting an experienced lawyer who can defend your rights in court.
If you are in full agreement with your spouse, follow these steps to file for divorce:
- Ensure that you meet residency requirements that mandate one or both spouses to have lived in California for at least 6 months and in Contra Costa County for at least 3 months before filing.
- Complete the initial paperwork, including a Petition, a Summons, and other forms related to your case. Make 2 copies of each document and submit them to the Contra Costa Superior Court in person, by mail, via drop box, or online. The clerk will assign them the case number, time-stamp them, keep the originals, and return the copies for you and your spouse.
- Pay a filing fee, which is $435 in Contra Costa County. If you cannot afford it, you may ask for a fee waiver by completing and submitting to court a Request to Waive Court Fees and Order on Court Fee Waiver.
- Notify your spouse about the initiated action by serving them copies of papers you have filed. Ask an adult person unrelated to the case to deliver the papers or hire a professional process server or a sheriff to do so. The server will need to complete and sign a Proof of Service of Summons for you to file it with the court within 60 days. Your spouse will have 30 days to file their Response with the court.
- At this point, a waiting period starts. According to Fam.Code § 2339, the court cannot grant a divorce in Contra Costa County earlier than 6 months after the papers were served on the respondent. Meanwhile, you have enough time to accurately and attentively complete the rest of the paperwork.
- Share financial information as a part of a disclosure process, even if you do not have income or property. You and your spouse must complete and exchange a Declaration of Disclosure and a Schedule of Assets and Debts. You must also complete an Income and Expense Declaration and a Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure and file them with the court with 2 copies for the clerk to time-stamp them.
- If your spouse provided a Response to the Petition and you are in full agreement, complete and file the forms for a Stipulated Judgment in your Contra Costa County divorce. This package may include a Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution, a Judgment form, a Notice of Entry of Judgment, an Appearance, etc. Additionally, you may need other forms concerning children and property. You should make 3 copies of each document and keep one for your own records. File the originals, 2 sets of copies, and 2 stamped envelopes, one addressed to the respondent and another to yourself, with the court.
- When the court mails you back your papers with a signed Judgement, your divorce is finalized.
Where to File Divorce Papers in Contra Costa County?
Several options are available for Contra Costa County divorce filing:
- Bring your paperwork to the Contra Costa County divorce courthouse at
751 Pine Street
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 608-1000
- Mail your completed divorce papers to
Contra Costa County Superior Court
751 Pine Street
P.O. Box 911
Martinez, CA 94553
Attn: Clerk’s Office
- Use a drop box available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and located at
751 Pine Street
Martinez, CA 94553
In front of the Spinetta Family Law building
- File online at the Court E-Filing Portal.
FAQ
To file for divorce in Contra Costa County, you must complete and submit the proper paperwork relevant to your specific case to the Contra Costa County Superior Court in person, by mail, or via the drop box or e-filing system.
The divorce filing fee in Contra Costa County is $435. Additional fees are charged for supplementary motions and requests.
Divorce in Contra Costa County lasts at least 6 months due to the mandatory waiting period. While the earliest date you can get your divorce decree is 181 days, the total duration of the process depends on your case type, your family circumstances, and your own actions.
