Family Law: Summary Dissolution

There is an easier and inexpensive way to get a divorce: summary dissolution.  To qualify for a summary dissolution, you and your spouse (same rules apply to domestic partnership):

1. have been married less than 5 years at the time of filing marriage dissolution petition;
2. have no children together that were adopted or born before or during the marriage (neither pregnant);
3. do not own or have an interest in any real estate;
4. do not owe more than $6,000 for debts acquired since the date of your marriage (auto loans excluded);
5. have less than $36,000 worth of property acquired during the marriage (automobiles excluded);
6. do not have separate property worth more than $36,000;
7. agree no spousal support is being sought; AND
8. have signed an agreement dividing property and debts. 

In addition, if you are married, either you or your spouse must have lived in California for the last 6 months and in the county where you file for summary dissolution for the last 3 months.  The minimum waiting period to end your marriage through summary dissolution is six months.