Posted by DivorceLine in As daunting as the divorce procedure itself is to expertise, it becomes even far more intimidating when one takes into account the sheer volume of divorce forms needed to complete the process as smoothly and hassle-free of charge as achievable.
But what do all of these divorce documents do?
The answer to this question is a basic one: Each document has its particular purpose during the California divorce time line, and all contribute to show the Court that both spouses have put forth Each effort to comply with the rules in order to make their divorce amicable.
A California uncontested divorce begins with the filing of the divorce Petition (form FL-100) at the local courthouse. This specific document informs the Court that there is an impending dissolution proceeding between the spouses; it further tells the Court the basics about the parties’ proposed agreements for alimony and child support, child custody and child visitation schedules, and divorce property/debt division.
Then comes service of the divorce Summons (form FL-110), a document notifying the opposing spouse that divorce forms have been filed with the Court and that a divorce response is essential from him or her within thirty (30) days.
As the time line progresses through the California divorce process, the two spouses are responsible for exchanging a set of divorce documents which delivers data about the other’s present employment status, tax filing category, gross monthly income quantity, and general household expenses among other issues. The technical name for the form the parties have to trade with Every other which also shows the Court the financial circumstances of Every spouse is referred to as the “Income And Expense Declaration” (form FL-150).
The purpose of the document exchange is to guarantee that every party is on the identical page, and no future surprises are in store for one spouse due to the other spouse’s deliberate intent to hold back essential data.
The spouses have to prove to the Court that ever has given the other a copy of his or her own Income And Expense Declaration form. The proof comes by means of a declaration document that every party ought to serve on the opposing spouse (through a neutral third party) – said proof of service document informs the Court that both parties have complied with California family law by performing the needed Income And Expense document exchange.
Next comes the second document exchange.
This time around the parties will share with one yet another all the information everyone has about any marital property and debts along with a proposed plan of how to divide the items in question (form FL-142). Once more a neutral third party is necessary to serve this next set of court documents on the opposing spouse, and the respective proof of service forms will also be filed with the Court to show that this second document trade occurred.
The declaration for an uncontested divorce (form FL-170) is the next document to be signed and filed, informing the Court that the parties have mutually agreed how their marital dissolution is to proceed and they wish to participate in an uncontested divorce.
When all the document trades have taken location and the Court is satisfied that both parties are in complete agreement, it is time to file the Judgment (form FL-180). This is the most required form in your California uncontested divorce, because it contains the Judge’s signature of approval that the marriage has now come to its conclusion and all agreements are fair to everybody involved.
And when the Judgment has been signed off by the judge, you are restored to “single person” status!
