Divorce & Separation in California

Step-by-step guides and toolkits for people navigating divorce or separation in California, United States.

California Guides

California Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide

Complete California Child Custody & Parenting Plan Guide with step-by-step instructions, worksheets, and checklists

California Divorce Financial Split & Asset Division Guide

Complete California Divorce Financial Split & Asset Division Guide with step-by-step instructions, worksheets, and checklists

California Divorce Filing Process Guide

Complete California Divorce Filing Process Guide with step-by-step instructions, worksheets, and checklists

California After-Divorce Checklist: Name Change, Accounts & Retirement

Complete California After-Divorce Checklist: Name Change, Accounts & Retirement with step-by-step instructions, worksheets, and checklists

General Resources

These guides work no matter where you live:

Divorcing a Narcissist Survival Guide

Complete Divorcing a Narcissist Survival Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Divorce Document Organizer & Checklist

Complete Divorce Document Organizer & Checklist with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

High-Conflict Divorce Playbook

Complete High-Conflict Divorce Playbook with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Child Support Estimation Worksheet Guide

Complete Child Support Estimation Worksheet Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Divorce, Pensions & Government Benefits Guide

Complete Divorce, Pensions & Government Benefits Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Military Divorce Guide

Complete Military Divorce Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

How to Choose & Work With a Divorce Lawyer

Complete How to Choose & Work With a Divorce Lawyer with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Emotional Recovery After Divorce Guide

Complete Emotional Recovery After Divorce Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Divorce Mediation Preparation Kit

Complete Divorce Mediation Preparation Kit with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Who Keeps the House? Divorce & Real Estate Guide

Complete Who Keeps the House? Divorce & Real Estate Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Divorce & Immigration Status Guide

Complete Divorce & Immigration Status Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Divorce Settlement Negotiation Guide

Complete Divorce Settlement Negotiation Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Divorce Preparation Checklist & Roadmap

Complete Divorce Preparation Checklist & Roadmap with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Gray Divorce Guide (Divorce After 50)

Complete Gray Divorce Guide (Divorce After 50) with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Uncontested Divorce Step-by-Step Roadmap

Complete Uncontested Divorce Step-by-Step Roadmap with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Custody Schedule Templates & Calendar Guide

Complete Custody Schedule Templates & Calendar Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Co-Parenting With a Difficult Ex Guide

Complete Co-Parenting With a Difficult Ex Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Stay-at-Home Parent's Divorce Guide

Complete Stay-at-Home Parent's Divorce Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Separation Agreement Preparation Guide

Complete Separation Agreement Preparation Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Divorcing as a Business Owner Guide

Complete Divorcing as a Business Owner Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Same-Sex Divorce Guide

Complete Same-Sex Divorce Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Parenting Plan Builder Workbook

Complete Parenting Plan Builder Workbook with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Marital Asset & Debt Division Worksheet

Complete Marital Asset & Debt Division Worksheet with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Divorce Timeline & Deadline Planner

Complete Divorce Timeline & Deadline Planner with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Rebuilding Your Life After Divorce Guide

Complete Rebuilding Your Life After Divorce Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Divorce While Pregnant Guide

Complete Divorce While Pregnant Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Post-Divorce Budget Planner

Complete Post-Divorce Budget Planner with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Dividing Retirement Accounts in Divorce Guide

Complete Dividing Retirement Accounts in Divorce Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Leaving an Abusive Marriage Safely Guide

Complete Leaving an Abusive Marriage Safely Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Reclaiming Your Name After Divorce Guide

Complete Reclaiming Your Name After Divorce Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Divorce Financial Inventory Workbook

Complete Divorce Financial Inventory Workbook with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Co-Parenting Communication Toolkit

Complete Co-Parenting Communication Toolkit with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Telling the Children About Divorce Guide

Complete Telling the Children About Divorce Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

DIY Divorce Without a Lawyer Guide

Complete DIY Divorce Without a Lawyer Guide with worksheets, templates, and step-by-step guidance

Articles for California

California Divorce Fee Waiver

How to apply for a divorce fee waiver in California using Form FW-001 — who qualifies, the three eligibility standards, and what the waiver actually c…

California Divorce Filing Fee

California divorce filing fees in 2026 — base costs by filing path, county surcharges, motion fees, and the total cost breakdown for DIY and attorney-…

California Divorce Forms List

Every California divorce form explained in plain language — what each FL form does, when to file it, and whether it goes to the court or stays private…

California Divorce Waiting Period

California's mandatory 6-month divorce waiting period explained — when the clock starts, what you can do during the wait, and when you're legally sing…

California No Fault Divorce

How California's no-fault divorce law works — the only two legal grounds, what 'irreconcilable differences' means, and where fault still matters in pr…

Default Divorce California

How default divorce works in California — true default vs. default with agreement, the FL-165 request process, and what happens when your spouse doesn…