Maybe you were just served divorce papers and the clock is already running. Maybe you're scared for your kids, or scared to stay another night in your own home. California family law moves on hard deadlines — 30 days to file your Response, a restraining-order hearing set within 21 days, a six-month wait you can't skip — and one wrong move can cost you money, time, or custody. Before you sign anything or miss a date, call 1-844-690-0555. It's free, 24/7, and our AI assistant is trained on the California Family Code and the relevant federal law. We'll talk it through in plain English, in your language. This is legal information, not legal advice — and there's no charge to call.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across California.
If you were served with divorce papers (Summons FL-110 and Petition FL-100), your most urgent fact is this: you have 30 calendar days to file a Response (FL-120). Miss it and your spouse can take a default judgment — the court can decide property, support and custody without your input. If instead you're in danger right now, you can ask any California Superior Court for an emergency (ex parte) Domestic Violence Restraining Order on form DV-100; the court can grant a temporary order (DV-110) the same or next day, with a full hearing set within 21 days. Either way, don't wait and don't guess at the forms — call 1-844-690-0555 free, any hour, and we'll walk you through exactly which form and deadline applies to you.
Here's what blindsides almost everyone: in California, even a fully agreed, perfectly documented divorce cannot finalize in under 6 months and 1 day (Family Code § 2339). There is no fast-track and no waiver — the clock starts the day your spouse is served or first appears. The flip side is just as ruthless: if YOU were served, you have only 30 days to file a Response, or your spouse can take a default judgment that decides your property, support and custody without you. People lose real leverage in those first 30 days simply because they didn't know the clock existed. You don't have to figure out which clock is ticking for you alone. Call 1-844-690-0555 — free, any hour, in your language — and we'll pin down your exact dates before one of them passes.
If you want to handle part of this yourself or you can't afford a lawyer, California has strong free resources — official court self-help, statewide directories, and legal-aid organizations that specialize in divorce, custody and domestic violence. Start with these, then call us free if you want to talk it through.
How long does a divorce really take in California?
At minimum, 6 months and 1 day — Family Code § 2339 sets that as a hard floor from the date your spouse is served or first appears, and no court can shorten it even if you both agree on everything. A contested case takes much longer. That six months is the marital-status clock; property and custody issues can sometimes be wrapped up sooner or later. To find out where your specific dates fall, call 1-844-690-0555 free, any time, and we'll map your timeline in plain English.
I was just served with divorce papers — what do I do first?
Look at the Summons (FL-110) and start counting: you have 30 calendar days to file a Response (FL-120). If you miss it, your spouse can ask the court for a default judgment and decide property, support and custody without your input. Don't sign anything or agree to anything before you understand your rights. Call 1-844-690-0555 — it's free and open 24/7 — and we'll walk you through exactly which form to file and by when.
Does it matter that my spouse cheated or caused the divorce?
Legally, almost never. California is a pure no-fault state (§ 2310), so you can't even plead adultery or cruelty as a ground — the only ground is 'irreconcilable differences.' Misconduct is also generally irrelevant to how property is split and how support is set. There are narrow exceptions — for example, domestic violence affects custody and support — so it's worth checking your facts. Call 1-844-690-0555 free and we'll tell you what actually moves the needle in California.
How is property divided in a California divorce?
California is a community-property state: under §§ 760 and 2550, almost everything earned or acquired during the marriage — income, a home, a business, retirement, stock options — is presumed community property and split 50/50, no matter whose name is on it. What you owned before marriage, plus gifts and inheritances, is usually separate property (§ 770). Hiding an asset through fraud, oppression or malice can cost you 100% of it (§ 1101(h)). For how the line falls in your case, call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7.
How much will child support be?
California uses a statewide guideline formula (§ 4055) based on both parents' net incomes and how much time each of you has the kids. The formula was overhauled by SB 343, which took effect September 1, 2024 — it raised the low-income threshold and now splits add-on costs like childcare and uninsured medical by relative income. Because it's so fact-specific, a real number needs your actual figures. Call 1-844-690-0555 free and we'll explain how the current guideline applies to you.
What is the 'ten-year rule' for spousal support?
Under Family Code § 4336, a marriage of 10 years or more is a 'marriage of long duration,' which means the court can keep jurisdiction over spousal support indefinitely instead of setting a fixed end date. For marriages under 10 years, support commonly runs about half the length of the marriage. The actual amount is weighed against the 14 factors in § 4320. To see how the ten-year line affects you, call 1-844-690-0555 free, any hour.
How do I get an emergency restraining order in California?
You can ask any California Superior Court for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order using form DV-100, and the court can grant a temporary (ex parte) order — form DV-110 — the same or next business day. That temporary order lasts 21–25 days: the court must set a full hearing within 21 days (§ 245), and you have to show up. There's no filing fee and no lawyer required. If you're in danger right now, call 911 first; then call 1-844-690-0555 free to understand the DVRO process step by step.
I've been served with a restraining order — what are my rights?
You have the right to respond and be heard at the hearing, which is usually only days away. You file form DV-120 to tell your side, and you should be ready by the hearing date. The stakes are real: a final order can last up to 5 years (§ 6345), remove you from your home, take your firearm rights, and trigger the § 3044 custody presumption against you. Don't ignore it and don't miss the date. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, to understand how to respond.
Can I get a divorce if my spouse won't agree or has left the state?
Yes. California doesn't require your spouse's consent — because it's no-fault, one person can dissolve the marriage. If your spouse can't be found or won't respond, there are routes like service by publication and, after the 30-day window, a default judgment. As long as the residency requirement is met (§ 2320), the case can move forward without their cooperation. Call 1-844-690-0555 free and we'll explain the path that fits your situation.
Do I have to live in California to file for divorce here?
To get a divorce judgment, one spouse must have been a California resident for at least 6 months and a resident of the filing county for at least 3 months before judgment (§ 2320). If you don't meet that yet, you can usually file for legal separation now and amend it to a divorce once you qualify, so you don't lose time. To check whether you meet the residency gate, call 1-844-690-0555 free, any time.
Is this free, and is it confidential — do you speak Spanish?
The call to 1-844-690-0555 is free, available 24/7, with no income test and no web form, and we can help in your language, including Spanish. To be clear about what it is: Legal Hotline gives legal information, not legal advice, and the call creates no attorney-client relationship — we're not a law firm and not a public defender. If your case needs a lawyer, we can help you book a paid consultation with a California-licensed family law attorney. Call any time.
What if my custody or domestic-violence issue crosses into immigration?
Family law and immigration are separate systems. Your divorce, custody and restraining-order case is decided by the California Superior Court under state law; immigration status is decided by federal authorities — USCIS and the immigration courts (EOIR) — not the family judge. A California DVRO can stand on its own regardless of either party's immigration status, and survivors may have separate federal options like a VAWA self-petition or a U visa. We can give you free legal information on the family-law side and flag when you also need immigration counsel. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, any hour.
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General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
Whether you've been served, you're worried about your kids, or you need to get out tonight, California family law won't wait — 30 days to respond, a restraining-order hearing within 21 days, a six-month wait you can't skip. The sooner you understand your deadlines, the more options you keep. Call 1-844-690-0555 right now — it's free, 24/7, and available in your language. You'll get clear legal information about your situation, with no charge and no attorney-client relationship, and if you want a lawyer we can help you book a paid consultation with a California-licensed attorney. One free call is the cheapest, fastest move you can make.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.