What are the steps in the divorce process?

The divorce process in the state of California is a multi-step legal process. The steps of the process are as follows. The first step to filing for divorce in California is to ensure that you and your spouse meet the legal requirements for filing in the state. This means that either one spouse must have been living in the state for at least six months before filing and that the county in which you file for divorce must also be the same county in which either one of you currently lives. The next step is to officially file the correct forms with the court. This includes a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and Summons, both of which designate the legal grounds for the divorce. These forms can be obtained in person or online from the county court. Once the forms are filed, both spouses must receive a copy of the paperwork. This can be accomplished by serving the forms to the other spouse in person. If the other spouse cannot be found, the court will allow alternate methods to serve the paperwork. The next step is to attend a court hearing to officially terminate the marriage. During this hearing, both spouses will present their case and the judge will make the final determination. The final step is to submit divorce orders. These orders must be signed by both spouses, or by their respective attorneys if they have them, and then filed with the court. Once this is done, the divorce will be legally finalized and both spouses can proceed with their lives.

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What are the steps in the divorce process?

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