Last updated October 2026
Quick answer: File a Petition (FL-100), Summons (FL-110), the local Family Law Case Cover Sheet (FAM020), and, if you have minor children, a UCCJEA Declaration (FL-105) with the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The first paper fee is $435. Your divorce cannot become final until six months after your spouse is served or appears.
Los Angeles County Divorce: Key Facts
| \1 | Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| \1 | Stanley Mosk (Central), Pomona (East), Long Beach (South), Whittier (Southeast), Pasadena (Northeast) |
| \1 | $435 |
| \1 | $435 |
| \1 | $870 in most counties (covers both spouses) |
| \1 | One spouse: 6 months in California and 3 months in Los Angeles County |
| \1 | Six months after service or appearance, whichever is first |
| \1 | 30 days after service |
| \1 | Required unless exempted / Optional |
| \1 | Family Court Services mediation; confidential (Local Rule 5.19) |
| \1 | Self-Help Centers at Stanley Mosk, Pomona, Long Beach, Pasadena, and other courthouses |
Los Angeles County runs the largest trial court system in the country, and its family law calendars are crowded. For a father, paperwork that is late, incomplete, or filed in the wrong place costs time you will not get back.
For the statewide overview, read our guide to the steps in a California divorce. When you are ready to talk about your own case, our Los Angeles divorce lawyers for men can help.
Schedule a Case Evaluation call 951-339-3826
Who Can File for Divorce in Los Angeles County?
Under Family Code section 2320, either you or your spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in Los Angeles County for at least three months before you file. Only one spouse needs to meet the requirement.
If you recently moved here, you can file for legal separation now, since it has no residency minimum, and amend to a divorce once you qualify. Our article on legal separation vs. divorce explains the difference.
California is a no fault divorce state. Under Family Code section 2310, the usual ground is irreconcilable differences. You do not have to prove misconduct by your spouse.
Where Do I File for Divorce in Los Angeles County?
Los Angeles is divided into judicial districts. Under Local Rule 2.3, a family law case may be filed in the Central District at Stanley Mosk, or in the district where you or your spouse lives. The approved family law courthouses are:
- Stanley Mosk Courthouse (Central District): 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Any Los Angeles County family law case may be filed here.
- Pomona Courthouse South (East District): 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766. Serves parties who live in the East District.
- Long Beach Courthouse (South District): 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802. Serves parties who live in the South District.
- Whittier Courthouse (Southeast District): 7339 South Painter Avenue, Whittier. Serves parties who live in the Southeast District.
- Pasadena Courthouse (Northeast District): 300 East Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101. Serves parties who live in the Northeast District.
Family law is also heard in other districts; confirm yours on the court’s family law page.
Electronic filing. The court’s family law e-filing rules require litigants represented by attorneys to file electronically unless the court grants an exemption. If you represent yourself, e-filing is optional.
Self help. The court’s Self-Help Centers can explain forms and procedures, but staff cannot give legal advice or represent you.
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How Do I File for Divorce in Los Angeles County? Step by Step
Prepare the Required Forms
Start with the Petition, Marriage/Domestic Partnership (FL-100) and the Summons (FL-110). If you have minor children, add the Declaration Under UCCJEA (FL-105). Los Angeles has its own local requirement: under Local Rule 5.2, the first paper you file must be accompanied by a Family Law Case Cover Sheet (FAM020).
File Your Papers and Pay the Filing Fee
The Los Angeles fee schedule effective January 1, 2026 lists $435 for the first paper in a divorce, with no local surcharge. If you cannot afford it, request a fee waiver (FW-001).
Serve Your Spouse
You cannot hand the papers to your spouse yourself. An adult over 18 who is not a party to the case, such as a registered process server, the sheriff, or a friend, must serve the papers. The server completes a Proof of Service of Summons (FL-115), which you file with the court.
Once your spouse is served, the automatic temporary restraining orders on the Summons bind both of you. Neither of you may remove the children from California without the other parent’s prior written consent or a court order. Neither of you may hide or transfer any property, community or separate, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life. Neither of you may change insurance beneficiaries.
Wait for a Response
Your spouse has 30 days from service to file a Response (FL-120). If no Response is filed, you can ask the court to enter a default using form FL-165.
Exchange Financial Disclosures
Within 60 days of filing the Petition, serve your spouse with a preliminary Declaration of Disclosure (FL-140), a Schedule of Assets and Debts (FL-142) or Property Declaration (FL-160), and an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150). These go to your spouse, not to the court. You file only the proof of service (FL-141). California is a community property state, so disclose fully.
Resolve Custody, Support, and Property Issues
If you need temporary orders for custody, support, or use of the family home, you file a Request for Order (FL-300). True emergencies are handled through ex parte orders.
When parents disagree on custody or visitation, Family Code section 3170 requires mediation before a judge decides. In Los Angeles, mediation is handled by Family Court Services, and under Local Rule 5.19 it is confidential. What you and the other parent say to the Family Court Services specialist may not be revealed to the judge. See our article on child custody mediation and our Los Angeles child custody lawyers for fathers page.
Finalize the Divorce
Your case ends with a Judgment (FL-180), usually supported by a declaration such as FL-170 and a Notice of Entry of Judgment (FL-190). Under Family Code section 2339, your marital status cannot end until at least six months after your spouse was served or appeared, whichever came first.
The 2026 Joint Petition Option
Since January 1, 2026, spouses who expect to agree on all the final terms can file one Joint Petition (FL-700) with a Summons, Joint Petition (FL-710). One fee covers both spouses, and there is no service step. The six month period runs from the filing date. Temporary orders are not available in a joint case, and either spouse can revoke it with form FL-720, which converts it to a regular case.
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How Much Does It Cost to File for Divorce in Los Angeles County?
Court fees are fixed by the court’s 2026 fee schedule, with no local surcharge in Los Angeles. Other costs depend on how contested your case becomes and how your spouse is served.
| \1 | $435 |
|---|---|
| \1 | $435 |
| \1 | $870 in most counties, for both spouses |
| \1 | Available if you qualify based on income or public benefits |
| \1 | Sheriff or registered process server; varies |
| \1 | Depend on how contested the case is |
A fee waiver covers court fees only, not a process server or attorney. For a fuller breakdown, see how much a divorce costs in California.
How Long Does a Divorce Take in Los Angeles County?
The legal minimum is six months and one day from service, and most Los Angeles cases take longer. An uncontested divorce with complete paperwork may finish close to the minimum. Disputed custody, a business, or real estate can push a case past a year. See our divorce timeline guide for typical stages.
What If You Were Served With Divorce Papers in Los Angeles County?
If your wife filed first, you have 30 days from the date you were served to file a Response (FL-120) and pay the $435 response fee, or request a fee waiver. If you do nothing, she can ask the court to enter your default with form FL-165, and the case may move forward without your input on custody, support, or property.
The automatic restraining orders on the Summons now bind you as well. Do not take the children out of California without her prior written consent or a court order. Do not move, sell, or hide any property, community or separate, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life.
Do not move out or sign an agreement before getting advice. Read should you move out of your home during a divorce before you make that decision. If you were also served with a domestic violence temporary restraining order, see what to do if you are served with a TRO, because that hearing comes quickly.
Within 60 days of filing your Response, serve your own preliminary disclosures. If you want a set parenting schedule while the case is pending, you can file a Request for Order (FL-300).
What Mistakes Do Men Make When Filing for Divorce in Los Angeles County?
- Skipping the FAM020 cover sheet. Los Angeles requires it with the first paper, and a rejected filing delays your case.
- Treating mediation like therapy. Mediation is confidential, but agreements signed there can become court orders. Bring a realistic parenting plan.
- Moving out without a plan. Leaving the home can shape the custody arrangement that follows. Read about the biggest mistake fathers make before you pack.
- Guessing on income figures. Child and spousal support depend on accurate numbers. Run estimates with our child support calculator.
- Posting about the case online. Posts are routinely used as evidence. See how social media can hurt your case.
Do You Need a Lawyer to File for Divorce in Los Angeles County?
The law does not require a lawyer. But a self-represented father faces a high volume court, local rules, and possibly a spouse with counsel. When custody, a pension, or a business is at stake, an attorney helps you avoid errors that are hard to undo. Our article on DIY divorce vs. hiring a fathers’ rights lawyer covers the tradeoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I file for divorce in Los Angeles County?
You file with the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, either at Stanley Mosk in downtown Los Angeles or at the family law courthouse for the district where you or your spouse lives, such as Pomona, Long Beach, Whittier, or Pasadena. Confirm your district on the court’s website before filing.
Can I file for divorce online in Los Angeles County?
Yes. Self-represented parties may e-file through an approved electronic filing service provider, though it is optional for them. Attorneys representing a party in a family law case are required to e-file unless the court grants an exemption. Provider fees apply on top of the court fee.
Is custody mediation in Los Angeles County confidential?
Yes. Under Los Angeles Local Rule 5.19, statements made in Family Court Services mediation may not be revealed to the judge. If you and the other parent do not reach an agreement, the judge decides custody based on the evidence presented at the hearing, not a mediator’s recommendation.
What if my spouse already filed for divorce in Los Angeles County?
You do not start a new case. You respond in the case she opened by filing a Response (FL-120) within 30 days of service. Your Response can ask for your own orders on custody, support, and property. Missing the deadline lets her request a default.
Can I file in Los Angeles County if my spouse lives in another county?
Yes, as long as you meet the residency rule yourself: six months in California and three months in Los Angeles County. Only one spouse has to qualify. Your spouse is then served wherever he or she lives, even outside California.
How do I respond to divorce papers in Los Angeles County?
Complete the Response (FL-120), plus a UCCJEA Declaration (FL-105) if you have minor children, and file it with the court that issued the Summons. Pay the $435 fee or request a waiver. Then have an adult who is not a party mail a copy to your spouse or her attorney and file proof of that service.
Do I need to move out of the house before filing?
No. Nothing in California law requires either spouse to leave the home before or after filing. Moving out has consequences for custody and possession of the house, so get advice first. If living together is unsafe, the court can make orders about who stays.
Can I get temporary custody orders while the divorce is pending in Los Angeles County?
Yes. You file a Request for Order (FL-300) asking for a temporary custody and visitation schedule. If custody is disputed, you and the other parent attend confidential Family Court Services mediation before the hearing. Emergencies involving a child’s safety can be raised through an ex parte request.
Divorce Lawyers for Men in Los Angeles County Cities
Reel Fathers Rights has local pages for fathers in these Los Angeles County cities. Each covers divorce and the related issues in this guide, from custody and support to property and restraining orders.
- Los Angeles: divorce, child custody, domestic violence restraining orders
- Long Beach: divorce, child custody, child support, property division, domestic violence restraining orders
- Torrance: divorce, child custody
- Pomona: divorce, child custody
Nearby County Divorce Guides
- How to file for divorce in Orange County
- How to file for divorce in San Bernardino County
- How to file for divorce in Riverside County
- Steps in a California divorce
Talk to a Los Angeles County Divorce Lawyer for Men
Reel Fathers Rights is a premier California family law firm handling Divorce, Child Custody, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, and Child Support. Our practice focuses on representing men and fathers in California Family Courts. We can help you file correctly, protect your time with your children, and plan for each of the steps in a California divorce.
Call or text 951-339-3826 or complete a Case Evaluation form
Call or text 951-339-3826 or complete a Case Evaluation form
