Is expedited divorce possible?

When is an Expedited Divorce Possible?

We receive many questions about when an expedited divorce (formally known as a “summary dissolution”) is possible. It can be a relatively straight-forward and inexpensive procedure for ending a marriage. But in order to qualify for an expedited divorce certain conditions must exist at the time the dissolution is commenced. A brief rundown of the main conditions necessary for an expedited divorce are listed below. For a more thorough explanation of the conditions necessary to qualify for an expedited divorce please see California Family Code Sections 2400 through 2406 and the Judicial Council’s booklet titled “Summary Dissolution Information” available at www.courts.ca.gov.

There are seven conditions which are necessary to meet in order to qualify for a quick divorce.

1. California Residency – At least one party to the marriage is a California resident and has been for at least 6 months and has been a resident of the county where the divorce is filed for a least 3 months.

2. No Minor Children – The parties in the marriage have no minor children together, under the age of 18, who were born prior to or during their marriage. Neither party is pregnant. The parties have not adopted any children currently under the age of 18 during their marriage.

3. Community Property Assets – The Fair Market Value of all community property assets cannot be in excess of $25,000. This includes deferred compensation and retirement plans.

4. Separate Property Assets – The Fair Market Value of either party’s separate assets cannot be in excess of $25,000.

5. The Number of Years of Marriage – The period of time between the date the parties were married and the date the parties separated must be 5 years or less.

6. There can be no Real Property Interests – Neither party may have any ownership interests in any real property, such as a home, apartment, condo, etc.

The only exception is a short-term residence lease occupied by one of the parties as long as there is no option to buy the property subject to the lease, and the lease terminates is less than 1 year from the date the petition for dissolution is filed.

7. Marital Debts – Any debts incurred by either or both parties during the marriage, excluding automobile purchases, cannot be in excess of $6,000.

Posted in California Divorce Lawyer.