What Is Online Divorce in Long Beach, California?

“Online divorce” is a description of how you prepare, not a separate legal track. There is no internet-only dissolution in California.

What exists is a standard, no-fault dissolution under the Family Code, where the questionnaire work, the drafting, and the agreement-building all happen on your laptop instead of across a conference table.

For a Long Beach couple that means answering plain-English questions, letting software select and populate the correct Judicial Council forms, and then filing those forms with Los Angeles County Superior Court. The court still reviews your judgment. The six-month clock still applies.

The practical difference is who does the assembly. Instead of billing an attorney $300 an hour to type your names into an FL-100 Petition, you complete a do-it-yourself divorce with structured guidance behind you.

Is Online Divorce Legit in Long Beach?

Yes — with one distinction worth understanding. The forms are legitimate because they are the same mandatory Judicial Council forms every Long Beach attorney files.

Left there, that pressure drains your savings, stalls your fresh start, and turns a cooperative split into an expensive, drawn-out fight. There’s a simpler path with The Complete Divorce.

If you and your spouse agree on the terms, an online divorce lets you file an uncontested divorce without a lawyer — and short, low-asset marriages may even qualify for a summary dissolution.

How Do I File for Divorce Online Using The Complete Divorce in Long Beach?

1. Confirm residency

Under Family Code § 2320, one spouse must have lived in California six months and in Los Angeles County three months before filing.

2. Answer the questionnaire

The software selects your forms based on your answers — children, property, support — so you are not guessing from a 26-form California divorce forms library.

3. Build your agreement

Use the Marital Settlement Agreement builder to document property, debt, and support terms.

4. Print, sign, and file

You submit to Los Angeles County Superior Court yourself — in person, by mail, or by e-filing. We prepare; you file.

5. Serve and disclose

Service and financial disclosures follow, then your judgment.

Live bi-weekly webinars with Dina cover each stage, and video tutorials are included throughout. Check whether this approach fits your case before you subscribe.

Long Beach Divorce Papers and the Courts for Divorce

A typical Long Beach dissolution opens with the FL-100 Petition, the FL-110 Summons, and LA’s FAM-020 cover sheet. If you have children under 18, add the FL-105 UCCJEA declaration.

Service comes next. Someone over 18 who is not you must deliver the papers, then file proof — FL-115 with either FL-330 personal service or FL-335 service by mail.

Both spouses then exchange financial disclosures: the FL-140 Declaration of Disclosure, FL-142 Schedule of Assets and Debts, FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration, and the FL-141 confirming service of those documents.

Your judgment packet closes it out with FL-170, the FL-180 Judgment, and FL-190.

The Deukmejian Courthouse houses the family law departments alongside a Self-Help Center and the Family Law Facilitator — both free, and both useful if a clerk flags something.

The 2026 Joint Petition (FL-700): Should Long Beach Couples File Together?

Since January 1, 2026, California couples no longer have to cast one spouse as petitioner and the other as respondent. Senate Bill 1427 created the FL-700 Joint Petition, filed with the FL-710 Joint Summons by both spouses together as Petitioner 1 and Petitioner 2.

Two real advantages for Long Beach filers: no service of process — nobody has to be served — and the six-month waiting period starts the day you file, rather than the day your spouse is served.

Two honest limitations. First, the filing fee is $870, covering both spouses — it is not cheaper than a petition plus a response, despite what several sites claim.

Second, you cannot request temporary orders on this track. If either of you needs interim support or custody orders, you revoke with FL-720 and continue as a regular divorce, keeping your original filing date.

Online Divorce With Children in Long Beach: Custody, Support & the UCCJEA

If you share children under 18, the FL-105 UCCJEA declaration is mandatory. It tells the court every address your children have lived at for the past five years, who they lived with, and whether any other custody case exists anywhere.

Its purpose is jurisdictional: California generally must be your children’s “home state,” meaning they have lived here roughly six months, before a Long Beach judge can issue custody orders.

This matters more in Long Beach than most California cities. Port and maritime work, aerospace, and military assignments move families in and out of the region regularly — if your child only recently arrived from Nevada, Texas, or overseas, confirm home-state jurisdiction before you file.

Your parenting plan then attaches to the judgment through FL-341, with child support on FL-342. Contested custody is referred to Family Court Services mediation; couples who submit a complete, agreed parenting plan generally skip that step entirely. Your subscription includes a court-ready parenting plan.

Do You Qualify for a Simpler Long Beach Divorce? (Summary Dissolution)

Summary dissolution is California’s shortest path, but the gate under Family Code § 2400 is narrow. You must clear every condition:

Renting in Long Beach does not disqualify you. The statute permits a lease on the residence one of you occupies, provided it carries no purchase option and ends within a year of filing.

Qualifying couples file FL-800 with FL-825, after reading the FL-810 booklet. Either spouse can revoke using FL-830.

How Much Does an Online Divorce Cost in Long Beach?

Court costs and service costs are separate things, and conflating them is how people end up surprised.

1. Court fees, Los Angeles County:

$435

$435 to file the petition. $435 if your spouse files a response. The 2026 FL-700 joint petition is $870 total. If money is tight, file form FW-001 with your petition — Long Beach filers who qualify pay nothing.

2. Our program:

$49.99/month

$49.99 per month, cancel anytime, including a free account for your spouse, unlimited edits, the MSA and parenting plan builders, and live webinars. Compare that to a Long Beach attorney at 300–450 an hour.

Most couples finish in months, not years. See full DIY divorce pricing or explore low-cost divorce in California.

Can You Finalize a Long Beach Divorce Without Going to Court?

Usually, yes. California permits a fully uncontested dissolution to be granted on the papers alone, with no hearing — which is exactly what the judgment packet is for. If your FL-170, FL-180, and settlement agreement are complete and consistent, a Long Beach judge can sign without ever seeing you.

Two Long Beach notes. Self-represented filers may still submit judgment packets by mail or in person, and should include self-addressed stamped envelopes so conformed copies come back. And the earliest any divorce can be final is six months and one day from service — or from filing, on a joint petition.

Reviews from California Clients

See how people simplified their divorce, saved thousands, and avoided the emotional and financial strain that often comes with the traditional system. Their stories show what’s possible when divorce is handled differently.

    
 
 
         
   Darlene Taffe 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend The Complete Divorce. it clearly explained each step of the process, provided easy-to-follow guidance and made the paperwork straightforward to complete. The instructions were clear and the support available throughout the process helped answer questions quickly and efficiently, with reassurance that every step was accurate and complete. What initially felt like a daunting and stressful process became smooth and manageable. Most importantly it gave me peace of mind.
  
 
        
   Teresa Gbondo 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I definitely recommend The Complete Divorce site. It walked me through each step of the process in a way that was easy to understand and made the paperwork much less intimidating. The instructions were clear, and whenever I had questions, the support team was quick to help. What could have been a really stressful experience ended up being much more manageable, and it saved me a lot of time while giving me peace of mind that everything was being done correctly.
  
 
        
   Gene Perez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend The Complete Divorce to anyone trying to navigate the divorce process on their own. Going into this, I really didn’t know where to start or how to make sure I was completing everything correctly, and this service made the entire process much easier to understand and manage.

The platform was extremely helpful with completing the necessary forms and, just as importantly, gave me the framework and guidance I needed to put together my Marital Settlement Agreement. Having everything laid out and explained helped take a lot of the uncertainty out of the process.

The Zoom calls with Dina were also incredibly valuable. Being able to ask questions directly and get clarification on things I wasn’t sure about gave me a lot more confidence that I was handling everything correctly.

Divorce is already stressful enough without trying to figure out all of the paperwork and requirements on your own. The Complete Divorce provided the resources, guidance, and support I needed to successfully navigate the process. I’m very grateful I found it and would absolutely recommend it to anyone going through a divorce and looking for help managing the process themselves.
  
 
        
   Judi Johnson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have only good things to say about The Complete Divorce! The scary and intimidating process became incredibly simple and streamlined, making what could have been a stressful experience feel manageable and less scary. Katherine  was absolutely amazing—persistent, precise, and incredibly clear every step of the way. Her guidance and attention to detail ensured everything was handled efficiently, giving me peace of mind as I navigate this transition and step into a new chapter of my life.

A huge thank you to Dina, the creator of The Complete Divorce Do-It-Yourself Guide, for developing such a clear and accessible process. I started with the basic package and decided to increase for extra guidance and it was the best decision I ever made. This service has truly been a lifesaver, and I’m so grateful. I highly recommend The Complete Divorce to anyone looking for a smooth, stress-free divorce process.
  
 
        
   Jerline Justo 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recommend Dina Haddad as an invaluable resource for individuals navigating the complexities of family law. Her acute awareness of the emotional and financial challenges of divorce, paired with her innovative approach, offers a streamlined solution that conserves both time and financial resources.

Dina's program, "The Complete Divorce" (TCD), stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to assisting and educating others. Dina and her team expertly guide clients through the entire divorce process from start to finish. TCD not only provides an affordable alternative but also boasts remarkable effectiveness.
  
 
        
   evie0406 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is an excellent program!  Not only does it have all the features you need to divorce in CA, but it was surprisingly thorough and easy to follow.  Moreover, Dina was wonderful to work with; professional, knowledgeable and committed!
  
 
        
   Laura Swiger 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend The Complete Divorce program (and Families First Mediation) for anyone would is going through a divorce. It makes the process so much less stressful. The program helped guide us through the steps and took a lot of the guesswork out of the process. So glad we decided to use it. We saved money and the stress of figuring it out on our own.
  
 
        
   James Spicer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was looking for a divorce attorney but it was so expensive. I figured I could do it on my own. This divorce service is a "guided DIY" so you get help from their family law team. They created really easy to use software. I got everything I needed to do my divorce quickly and easily. I did the package that included time with the team so I knew I did it correctly. Still inexpensive compared to others. It was worth it. Thank you Dina, Deborah, and Samira.
  
 
        
   Invia Betjoseph 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a marriage and family therapist, I've worked with Dina and The Complete Divorce from the start of the business.  I don't know any other professional that has the heart and services for people divorcing in California.  The program offerings are exceptional. Don't file for a CA divorce without first checking with them. They have so many options and strategies to offer.

Long Beach Online Divorce FAQ

Where do Long Beach residents file for divorce?

Long Beach cases go to Los Angeles County Superior Court, normally the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse at 275 Magnolia Avenue. Your ZIP code and the FAM-020 cover sheet determine the assigned district.

Do I have to e-file my Long Beach divorce?

No. Los Angeles mandates e-filing only for attorney-represented parties. Self-represented Long Beach filers are expressly exempt and may file in person, by mail, or electronically — whichever suits you best.

How long does a Long Beach divorce take?

California’s minimum is six months and one day, running from service of the petition, or from the filing date on a joint petition. Uncontested Long Beach cases commonly finish near that floor.

Can I file in Long Beach if my spouse lives in another state?

Yes, provided you meet California’s six-month state and three-month Los Angeles County residency rules. Your spouse’s location affects how they are served, not whether Long Beach can hear it.

What is the divorce filing fee in Long Beach?

Los Angeles County charges $435 for the petition and $435 for a response. The new FL-700 joint petition costs $870 total. Fee waivers are available through form FW-001.

Do I have to appear at the Deukmejian Courthouse?

Generally no. A complete, uncontested judgment packet is reviewed and signed on the papers. Appearances arise when custody, support, or property remain genuinely disputed between the spouses.

What is form FAM-020 and do I really need it?

Yes. FAM-020 is a Los Angeles-only cover sheet certifying which court district should hear your case, required on all new family law filings under Local Rules 2.3 and 5.2.

Can I get my Long Beach filing fee waived?

Yes. File Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001) together with your petition. Approval is based on income, household size, or receipt of public benefits such as CalFresh, SSI, or Medi-Cal.

Is custody mediation required in Long Beach?

Only when custody or visitation is contested — those cases are referred to Family Court Services. Couples filing a complete, agreed parenting plan with their judgment normally bypass mediation altogether.

Does the Long Beach family court provide interpreters?

Yes. Los Angeles Superior Court provides free interpreters in all family law matters, including Khmer, Spanish, and Tagalog. Request one using the interpreter section of the FAM-020 cover sheet.