Question: My spouse and I both agree we want a divorce, and we also have a domestic partnership; is there a quick and easy way to get end both?

Answer: Yes, there is a quick and easy way to obtain a divorce and terminate your domestic partnership all at once, called “summary dissolution,” if you and your spouse meet certain requirements.

In California, if you qualify for a summary dissolution, you will not have to talk to a judge and can complete your divorce with a one-time filing with the court of a single set of documents. Your divorce will become final automatically six months after your file your petition for summary dissolution. Keep in mind that summary dissolution is a divorce, and not a legal separation. (To learn about the difference, see our related article on legal separation.) Once the effective date of your judgment of dissolution has passed, you will be officially divorced, and you will be eligible to remarry, if you desire.

For couples who are not married but are registered domestic partners, you may use a similar summary dissolution procedure to terminate your domestic partnership; see our related article here.

To qualify for summary dissolution in California, the parties must meet certain requirements under the law. As an initial matter, either you or your spouse must have been a resident of California for the last 6 months, and of the county where you file for the last 3 months. One exception to this rule exists for same-sex married couples who got married in California but do not live in California and live in a state that will not dissolve a same-sex marriage. Such couples can file in whichever county in California you were married, regardless of these residency requirements.

In addition to the residency requirement, to qualify for a summary dissolution of your marriage you must meet all of the following requirements. If either your marriage or your domestic partnership does not meet all of the requirements, you will have to file for a regular divorce and ask to end your marriage and domestic partnership under that regular divorce. To qualify, you and your spouse and domestic partner must:

Have been married for less than 5 years and registered domestic partners for less than 5 years (from the date you got married/entered into the domestic partnership to the date you separated);

Have no children together born or adopted before or during the marriage and the domestic partnership (and are not currently expecting a new child);

Do not own any part of land or buildings;

Do not rent any land or buildings (except for where you live now, as long as you do not have a 1-year lease or option to buy);

Do not owe more than $6,000 for debts acquired since you got married; Do not include your car loans

Have less than $41,000 worth of property acquired during the marriage;

Do not have separate property worth more than $41,000;

Agree that neither spouse will ever get spousal or partner support; and

Have signed an agreement that divides your property and debts.

If you meet the above requirements, then you may use the simplified procedure available for summary dissolution. Summary dissolution is a quick and cost effective way for qualified spouses in California to obtain a divorce and termination of their domestic partnership. However, the process can still be confusing. For assistance obtaining a summary dissolution, contact our attorneys today. We offer competitive rates, and streamline the process for you, so you can get your paperwork filed, and get on with your life. Call us today!