How divorce works in California

California is a no-fault state. Neither spouse has to prove wrongdoing, and the court does not weigh who wanted the divorce or why. "Irreconcilable differences" is the stated ground in nearly every case.

To file, one spouse must have lived in California for at least six months and in the filing county for at least three. From the date the responding spouse is served or first appears, there is a minimum six-month waiting period before marital status can be terminated. That is a floor, not a forecast — contested cases take considerably longer, though other issues can often be resolved while the clock runs.

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