To file divorce in Riverside County, you must meet specific residency requirements. You may be asking yourself, “what are these residency requirements?” First, one of the parties in the divorce must have lived in California for at least six months. Secondly, that same party must have resided in Riverside County for at least three months to file there. Keep in mind, the residence of the Petitioner or the Respondent can qualify. With this in mind, if one of the parties doesn’t meet this residency requirement, consider filing for legal separation to allow time to meet residency requirements. Once you meet those requirements, you can move forward with your divorce filing in Riverside County.
Filing for divorce is usually more complicated than either party anticipates. For example, filing divorce involves preparing and filing many forms and lots of deadlines. A People’s Choice can help you file divorce in Riverside County, meet these deadlines, avoid the court rejecting your Judgment, and make the process quick and hassle-free.
Starting the Divorce Process
To begin the divorce process in Riverside County, the moving party must complete the following forms:
- Summons and Petition (FL-100, FL-110)
- If children are involved, Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (FL-105)
- Riverside County also requires a declaration of residence and a county-specific cover sheet.
If you need assistance in completing the divorce forms and you cannot afford the help of a legal document assistant, you can go to a self-help center in Riverside County. You can find Riverside Superior Court Self-help centers at the courthouses in Riverside, Murrieta, Hemet, and Indio. Keep in mind, the self-centers will not prepare your documents – that will be up to you. You can, however, receive some information through a court-sponsored workshop that will explain how to fill out the forms. The Indio location offers a divorce workshop regularly. The workshops last 2-3 hours and only permit up to 15 people, so make a reservation over the phone.
Where to File Divorce in Riverside County
Riverside County has four locations that handle family law cases:
- Riverside
- Blythe
- Hemet
- Indio.
You can file based on your zip code or based on your spouse’s. File your forms by mail, in person, e-submit, fax, or at the drop box located at the courthouse. Both parties must submit a $435 filing fee, although the court may waive the fee in the event of proven financial hardship. Remember, although you can file the divorce Petition by e-submit, this process is not available when you submit the final Judgment.
Riverside Superior Court Online Services
The Riverside County Superior Court provides online access to court and case information. You can access this online public portal here. This system also allows you to order non-confidential case documents for a nominal fee.
It is essential to familiarize yourself with the Riverside County local rules for divorce cases. These Local Rules are available online. Refer to Title 5, Divison 1 for the rules on family and juvenile matters.
Steps After You File Your Divorce Petition
Once you file your divorce Petition with the court, serve copies of the filed forms on the non-moving party (spouse). You must have someone over the age of 18 serve these forms. Complete and file a Proof of Service (FL- 115) after you serve your spouse. After service, your spouse (the respondent) has 30 days to respond to the divorce petition.
There are many steps involved when you file divorce in Riverside County. For example, finalizing the divorce will include preparing additional forms, negotiations, and possibly a court hearing. Even with simple divorces, the process can be complex and frustrating. Most people do not wish to “go it alone” even if they do not retain a divorce attorney. Contact A People’s Choice for more information on how to file for divorce in Riverside County and get low-cost help with the process. Call us today at 805-648-5540.
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