How DivorceBuddy Works
Get your California divorce documents prepared in 3 simple steps. No legal jargon, no confusion—just straightforward guidance.
Your Journey to Divorce Made Simple
Chat with Our AI Assistant
Answer simple questions about your situation in a friendly conversation. Our AI translates your answers into the legal language courts require.
- Takes about 15-20 minutes
- Plain English questions (and Spanish!)
- Save and continue anytime
- Guidance at every step
Review Your Documents
We generate all required California Judicial Council forms, pre-filled with your information. Review everything before downloading.
- FL-100, FL-110, FL-115, FL-120 and more
- Preview filled forms before paying
- Make changes anytime
- All forms court-ready
File with Confidence
Download your completed documents and file with your local Superior Court. We provide step-by-step filing instructions.
- Clear filing checklist
- Court location info
- What to expect next
- Ongoing support
What's the Timeline?
Document Preparation
15-30 minutesComplete our questionnaire and receive your documents instantly.
Filing with Court
1-2 hoursVisit your county courthouse or file online (where available).
Serve Your Spouse
1-30 daysYour spouse must be officially notified. They can sign an acknowledgment or be served.
Response Period
30 daysYour spouse has 30 days to respond to the petition.
Waiting Period
6 monthsCalifornia requires a 6-month waiting period from the date of service.
Finalization
After 6 monthsSubmit final paperwork and receive your divorce judgment.
Documents We Prepare
DivorceBuddy generates all required California Judicial Council forms for your case:
Petition for Dissolution
Main document that starts your divorce
Summons
Official notice to your spouse
Proof of Service
Confirms spouse was notified
Acknowledgment of Receipt
Alternative to formal service
Response
For spouse to respond
Declaration of Disclosure
Financial disclosure cover
Schedule of Assets/Debts
Property and debt list
Income and Expense
Financial declaration
Request to Enter Default
If spouse doesn't respond
Declaration for Default
Statement for judgment
Judgment
Final divorce document
Case Cover Sheet
Required for LA County
Common Questions
Do I need my spouse's information to start?
You need basic info like their full name and current address. You don't need their participation to begin the process.
What if my spouse doesn't respond?
If your spouse doesn't respond within 30 days, you can proceed with a default divorce. We provide the forms for this.
Can I make changes after I start?
Yes! You can update your information and regenerate documents anytime. This alone saves hours—if you made a mistake on paper forms, you'd start over. With DivorceBuddy, just edit and regenerate.
What happens after I file?
We provide a complete roadmap of next steps, including serving your spouse, waiting periods, and final paperwork.