Step 1: File and Serve the Initial Papers

Every divorce begins with preparing and filing a Petition and related forms. These documents:

• Tell the court the names of the spouses and any children

• Provide basic statistical facts about the marriage

• List what you are requesting, such as custody, support, or property division

If there are children or property issues, additional attachments are required so the court has the information it needs.

After filing, the papers must be formally served on the other spouse.

If temporary orders are needed, such as child support, temporary spousal support, or a custody/visitation schedule. We help you prepare a Request for Order. The court can then make temporary decisions early in the case. These temporary orders stay in place until the final Judgment unless circumstances change and the court modifies them.

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Step 2: Exchange Financial “Disclosures”

Before a divorce can be finalized, California law requires both spouses to exchange financial information. This step is called disclosure, and it has existed for decades under the Family Law Act.

Disclosure forms list:

• Your property and debts

• Your income and expenses

• Any other financial information the court needs to ensure a fair result

Help-U-File assists you in gathering documents and preparing all required forms with clarity and accuracy. Most cases cannot move forward without proper disclosures.

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Step 3: Resolve the Case

Once the Petition has been filed and financial disclosures have been exchanged, your case can move toward a final Judgment. This is the document that officially ends your marriage and includes all final orders for:

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• Child custody and visitation

• Child support

• Spousal support (if any)

• Division of property and debts​​

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Once disclosures are complete, your divorce can be finished in one of three ways:

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1. Default

If the other spouse does not file a Response, you may request a default judgment. We prepare the necessary paperwork and ensure it is submitted correctly.

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2. Agreement

If both spouses agree on all issues like support, property division, and custody. Help-U-File prepares a Marital Settlement Agreement and the final Judgment forms.

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3. Trial

If the parties cannot agree, a judge will decide the remaining issues at a trial. We prepare the paperwork needed to request a trial date.​​​​

 

IN THE END​

To resolve property issues, the parties must provide relevant information to each other, and then file a Declaration with the court that they have done so. Almost 95% of divorce cases in Sacramento end by default or agreement, even though more than two-thirds do not use attorneys at all.

 

Help-U-File processes between five and ten percent of all “uncontested” divorce judgments in Sacramento County, so you can rely on our experience.