The dissolution process can be emotionally-tolling on the parties involved, so it is important to know what to expect from the process to make the transition go as smoothly as possible.  Divorces generally have three stages in California.

First, a spouse will file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, along with other required legal forms, and will serve the packet upon the other spouse to initiate the case.  In California, there is a six-month waiting period from the time the initial paperwork is served to the time that the parties can become legally divorced, so this is the time when the waiting period will begin running.  A spouse can also immediately ask the court for interim orders for custody, visitation, child support, spousal support and other issues that will need to be resolved pending the final divorce judgment.

The next step is the exchange of information.  The parties to a divorce must...