To get a divorce in California, the process involves several key steps and requirements:

• Residency: One spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in the county where the divorce is filed for at least three months.
• Filing the Petition: File a "Petition for Dissolution of Marriage" (Form FL-100) along with a Summons (Form FL-110). If minor children are involved, additional child custody forms are needed.
• Serving the Spouse: The spouse must be formally served with the divorce papers by a third party who is not involved in the case, typically a process server or friend over 18.
• Response Time: The served spouse has 30 days to respond to the petition.
• Temporary Orders: Either spouse can request temporary orders related to custody, support, or property.
• Financial Disclosures: Both parties must exchange financial information through mandatory forms.
• Negotiation or Mediation: Attempts are made to reach agreement on issues like custody, spousal support, and property division.
• Trial (if contested): If no agreement is reached, the case may go to trial.
• Final Judgment: After agreements or trial, the court issues a final judgment of dissolution.

There is a mandatory six-month waiting period from the time the respondent is served before the divorce can be finalized. The filing fees usually range around $435-$450 but fee waivers are available for those who qualify. This process can be expedited if the divorce is uncontested or take longer if complicated issues arise. This is the basic roadmap to get a divorce in California in 2025.