How to File for Online Divorce in California: Complete Online Guide

What is an Online Divorce?

An online divorce is the one in which you end your marriage (legally with your spouse) using an online or internet-based divorce service. If you want to qualify for an online divorce in California, you have to fulfill the following requirements:


An online divorce is best for uncontested divorces in which spouses agree on all issues or with some discussions and negotiations, the spouses will agree (they won’t need a court trial). Unlike the traditional court process, in which you have to visit your courthouse and lawyer back and forth, you can do your online divorce from anywhere.

E-divorce is a convenient and friendly process that saves spouses time and money compared to traditional divorce.

Dina Haddad, Esq., LLM, a California family law attorney, spent over a decade preparing and perfecting The Complete Divorce, California’s best online divorce. Dina wanted everyone to have an opportunity to have a high-quality divorce. For her, this means being empowered with the divorce laws, rules, and options and having access to an online platform to complete all the required divorce forms and even a Marital Settlement Agreement. She refers to her program as a guided DIY Divorce since you will have her and the team’s support from start to finish.

Dina found a way to simplify the incredibly complicated California divorce process into four easy steps. The Complete Divorce begins with a strategy meeting with a divorce expert and ends with the filing of your and your spouse's legal forms with the court.

Here is a glimpse of online divorce with TheCompleteDivorce:


  1. Strategize: Attending a strategy session with a California divorce expert;
  2. Complete: Complete your divorce forms and MSA online (we provide you tons of instructions, video tutorials, checklists and flowcharts);
  3. Review: we will review your forms; and
  4. File: we will file the forms once finalized.

Most of our customers can finish in under 6 months. With the purchase of the Basic Program, you get right on our calendar. We can then help you plan out your divorce process and get you moving right away.

How to Choose the Best Online Divorce Service:

The most important decision the divorcing couple will make is how to divorce. Choosing the best divorce service is vital. You need a service that specializes in divorce just in your state. You also need a divorce process that gives you access to divorce experts. You also want to be wary of hidden costs, like subscriptions or upcharges that you didn’t know about. This may require you to analyze your needs and online divorce service providers in your county or state in the following way:

  • Will there be any assistance (by your online divorce service provider) while filling in legal forms?
  • Will a divorce service review my and my spouse’s legal forms after I fill them?
  • Will an e-divorce service provide supporting material (video tutorials, articles, checklists, and flowcharts) to make my divorce easier?
  • Will there be any hidden costs for online divorce service providers?
  • Will an online divorce service file my paperwork with the court?

Once you review these questions, you must review the client testimonials and ratings on the service providers’ sites. Also, be sure to check the prices they offer.

Basic Plan

The Basic Plan includes:


Strategy Meeting with TCD divorce expert

Our Simple-to-follow Four-Step Process
Online Form Software (all required CA divorce forms)
Online Marital Settlement Agreement Builder
Unlimited Forms editing
Detailed Flowcharts & Checklists
Online Video Tutorials (more than 8 hours of top strategies, divorce steps, and secrets. 2-year access)

Simple Plan

The Simple Plan includes:


All the basics Plans plus:
We will review your court forms (JC forms) and provide you with the fixes
We will file your court forms & MSA

Complete Plan

The Complete Plan includes:


All the basics Plans plus:
Review of your spouse’s court forms
File of your spouse’s court forms
1 hour divorce meeting with TCD divorce expert

Tips for Productive Online Divorce in California

  • Choose a divorce service whose forms are relevant and specific to California courts. Most programs do not specialize in one state. Some are owned by foreign companies or divorce experts that never practiced law in your state!
  • See if divorce service providers will assist you if you have trouble with the program.
  • Check out their pricing structures. Some services charge a lot for online divorce, have hidden fees, or a subscription model. The Complete Divorce offers its basic online divorce plan for just $299.
  • Choose a divorce service that provides customer care, from filing forms to meeting with divorce professionals.


How to Get an Online Divorce in California: 

Undoubtedly, an online divorce is more convenient and less stressful than divorce litigation or collaborative divorce.


However, you and your spouse should agree on all the issues before divorcing online in California. The following are the steps for getting an online divorce in California:

  • Creating an Account on an Online Divorce Service

Most online divorce services ask you to sign up or register to create an account to begin the process.

If you do so, protect your account with a strong password as you may share your personal information (related to marriage and divorce).

The online divorce process with The Complete Divorce starts when you buy one of their divorce plans. You then need to send your email to the software, which will give you an automated PIN. As part of your plan, you have access to the following:


  1. Video tutorials
  2. Form and MSA automation with our Form Builder
  3. Flowchart
  4. Checklists
  5. Sample Forms
  6. Meeting with Divorce Expert

Note: If you are working with your spouse, you will share one login and password with them. In the next step, you need to download and review handouts and follow the four-step process in sequential order.

  1. Video Course Outline
  2. Petitioner's Checklist
  3. Respondent's Checklist
  4. Flowchart
  • Are you eligible for an online divorce?

In the second stage, many online divorce service providers use surveys or preliminary questions to determine whether you are eligible for an uncontested online divorce.


Be careful! One-size-fits-all surveys, automated forms, and questions may not judge whether you are a fit for online divorce.

At The Complete Divorce, we provide a 30-minute meeting with a divorce expert with our basic package. We want to meet you! We want to strategize with you and make sure you are headed in the right direction.

  • Completing Your Divorce Forms and MSA Online

The third step involves filling out court forms to complete your divorce paperwork. Whether you are working with a divorce attorney or doing your divorce on your own, you will need to gather important financial documents to complete your required financial disclosures.

Working on your divorce from home offers you a great deal of flexibility. You have the time to find the information you need to complete the required documents.


Whether you do your divorce online or hire a divorce attorney, you will need to pull this information for yourself or the attorney. But, when you DIY your divorce, you save yourself money and time.


You do not need to pay a paralegal or divorce attorney to do your work again. You can do this on your own. With proper instruction, you will know which forms to complete, how to complete them, and when and where to file them.


Dina Haddad, Esq., a California family law California attorney, spent over a decade perfecting The Complete Divorce program. The online form and Marital Settlement Builder are easy to use. She built-in alerts and warnings to make sure you don’t make common mistakes. Unlike other programs, she built the program to allow both parties to use the program (without having to pay more!) and made it incredibly easy to make changes.


Additionally, Dina realized how important it is for the customer to have access to a divorce professional to help with specific questions and to provide guidance. The Complete Divorce offers a standard 30-minute meeting with the basic plan and an additional 1-hour meeting with a super cost-effective upgrade. With either meeting, you can get specific guidance regarding your divorce case.

  • Forms Reviewing and Filing Process 

After you have filled out your legal forms, a TCD divorce expert will review them and ensure that all information is filled out accurately.   

For the reviewing process, you need to provide your documents twice, uploading them to a specified folder, because The Complete Divorce does not accept hard copies or mailed documents. 


Set One:

Provide your Petition & Response Packet forms for review and then filing:

  • FL-100
  • FL-110
  • FL-120
  • FL-105 (if you have children)
  • FL-115/FL-117 (proof of services)

Set Two.

Provide your Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure (Step 2) and your final Judicial Council forms for review and filing (with your final MSA) (Step 4):

  • FL-130
  • FL-141 (one for each)
  • FL-144
  • FL-170
  • FL-180
  • FL-190
  • FL-341 (and FL-341(a) if you have a non-guideline child support agreement)
  • Guideline Child Support Calculation (if you have children)


After you complete your forms, you can sign them with a pen or electronic signature and file them with the court. If you upgraded your plan with The Complete Divorce, the team will send you your forms for electronic signature.


You also have to pay the filing fee of $435—$450 to the court clerk in California. If you cannot afford the fee, a fee waiver is available for filing divorce petitions.

  • Private Judge Option with The Complete Divorce

You can also retain a private judge (an attorney) to process and approve your final Judgment to avoid getting your papers rejected by the court clerk. You can reach out to Andrew Calvert at [email protected]


You will need to sign a Stipulation and order appointing him as your temporary judge, which he will provide and assist you in completing. His services cost $400 plus $40-60 for the county fees (depending on the county).


This method is optional. If you choose this method, let us know. We will then submit Set 2 to Mr. Calvert rather than directly to the Court Clerk. Mr. Calvert will then sign off on your Judgment papers and have them processed by the Court.


The Advantage with Private Judge Option: Opting for this option allows you both to sign your Marital Settlement Agreement electronically (rather than having to notarize it), and you will have it approved more easily and also back from the Court within a couple of weeks rather than months.


If you are looking for a DIY program for your California divorce, we really do have an excellent program for you. Dina has spent a great deal of time making this program work for Californias. She sees no reason that couples cannot successfully do their divorce with the right program. Start with our basic program, get right on our calendar, and see what all the excitement is really about. We will see you soon!

Additional Resources:

In addition to the online form software and video tutorials, we provide you with lots of additional resources like:

  • Flowcharts for each step
  • Checklist broken down by step

With TheCompleteDivorce, we are certain you will be in control of your divorce. You will save time and money. Book your strategy session now and let’s get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get a divorce in California for free?

To acquire a free divorce in California, follow these steps:

  • If you are experiencing financial difficulties, look into fee waiver alternatives.
  • Use self-help centers and online resources for free forms and advice.
  • If you qualify, consider pro bono legal services.


How do I get a quick divorce in California?

To get a quick divorce in California:

  • Meet residency requirements.
  • Opt for an uncontested divorce if possible.
  • Complete and file required forms.
  • Serve divorce papers.
  • Attend court hearings if necessary.
  • Receive the divorce decree once approved.
Is it feasible to get a divorce in California while having a child?

Yes, it is possible to get an internet divorce in California with a child, but certain legal conditions must be followed, and it is recommended to consult with an attorney or use an online divorce service to ensure the process is completed appropriately, especially when children are involved.

Is a California Online divorce process legal?

Yes, for many couples, internet divorce can be both legal and practical. It provides a simple approach to managing the legal procedure of divorce. To ensure a smooth and legal divorce. Remember, you don't have to go through this difficult time alone; there is help available to assist you.