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Chapter 4. General Procedural Provisions of California Family Law Code >> Division 6. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 4.
(a) A proceeding for dissolution of marriage or for legal
separation of the parties is commenced by filing a petition entitled
"In re the marriage of ____ and ____" which shall state whether it is
a petition for dissolution of the marriage or for legal separation
of the parties.
(b) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or for legal separation of the parties, the petition shall set forth among other matters, as nearly as can be ascertained, the following facts:
(1) The date of marriage.
(2) The date of separation.
(3) The number of years from marriage to separation.
(4) The number of children of the marriage, if any, and if none a statement of that fact.
(5) The age and birth date of each minor child of the marriage.
(b) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or for legal separation of the parties, the petition shall set forth among other matters, as nearly as can be ascertained, the following facts:
(1) The date of marriage.
(2) The date of separation.
(3) The number of years from marriage to separation.
(4) The number of children of the marriage, if any, and if none a statement of that fact.
(5) The age and birth date of each minor child of the marriage.
In any proceeding for dissolution of marriage, for legal
separation of the parties, or for the support of children, the
petition or complaint may list children born before the marriage to
the same parties and, pursuant to the terms of the Uniform Parentage
Act, a determination of paternity may be made in the action. In
addition, a supplemental complaint may be filed, in any of those
proceedings, pursuant to Section 464 of the Code of Civil Procedure,
seeking a judgment or order of paternity or support for a child of
the mother and father of the child whose paternity and support are
already in issue before the court. A supplemental complaint for
paternity or support of children may be filed without leave of court
either before or after final judgment in the underlying action.
Service of the supplemental summons and complaint shall be made in
the manner provided for the initial service of a summons by this
code.
(a) All dissolution actions, to the greatest extent
possible, shall be assigned to the same superior court department for
all purposes, in order that all decisions in a case through final
judgment shall be made by the same judicial officer. However, if the
assignment will result in a significant delay of any family law
matter, the dissolution action need not be assigned to the same
superior court department for all purposes, unless the parties
stipulate otherwise.
(b) The Judicial Council shall adopt a standard of judicial administration prescribing a minimum length of assignment of a judicial officer to a family law assignment.
(c) This section shall be operative on July 1, 1997.
(b) The Judicial Council shall adopt a standard of judicial administration prescribing a minimum length of assignment of a judicial officer to a family law assignment.
(c) This section shall be operative on July 1, 1997.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if no demand
for money, property, costs, or attorney's fees is contained in the
petition and the judgment of dissolution of marriage is entered by
default, the filing of income and expense declarations and property
declarations in connection therewith shall not be required.
A copy of the petition, together with a copy of a summons, in
form and content approved by the Judicial Council shall be served
upon the other party to the marriage in the same manner as service of
papers in civil actions generally.
(a) If the petition for dissolution of the marriage is based
on the ground of permanent legal incapacity to make decisions and the
spouse who lacks legal capacity to make decisions has a guardian or
conservator, other than the spouse filing the petition, the petition
and summons shall be served upon the spouse and the guardian or
conservator. The guardian or conservator shall defend and protect the
interests of the spouse who lacks legal capacity to make decisions.
(b) If the spouse who lacks legal capacity to make decisions has no guardian or conservator, or if the spouse filing the petition is the guardian or conservator, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem, who may be the district attorney or the county counsel, if any, to defend and protect the interests of the spouse who lacks legal capacity to make decisions. If a district attorney or county counsel is appointed guardian ad litem pursuant to this subdivision, the successor in the office of district attorney or county counsel, as the case may be, succeeds as guardian ad litem, without further action by the court or parties.
(c) "Guardian or conservator" as used in this section means:
(1) With respect to the issue of the dissolution of the marriage relationship, the guardian or conservator of the person.
(2) With respect to support and property division issues, the guardian or conservator of the estate.
(b) If the spouse who lacks legal capacity to make decisions has no guardian or conservator, or if the spouse filing the petition is the guardian or conservator, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem, who may be the district attorney or the county counsel, if any, to defend and protect the interests of the spouse who lacks legal capacity to make decisions. If a district attorney or county counsel is appointed guardian ad litem pursuant to this subdivision, the successor in the office of district attorney or county counsel, as the case may be, succeeds as guardian ad litem, without further action by the court or parties.
(c) "Guardian or conservator" as used in this section means:
(1) With respect to the issue of the dissolution of the marriage relationship, the guardian or conservator of the person.
(2) With respect to support and property division issues, the guardian or conservator of the estate.
Subject to Section 2334, if from the evidence at the hearing
the court finds that there are irreconcilable differences which have
caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage, the court shall
order the dissolution of the marriage or a legal separation of the
parties.
(a) If it appears that there is a reasonable possibility of
reconciliation, the court shall continue the proceeding for the
dissolution of the marriage or for a legal separation of the parties
for a period not to exceed 30 days.
(b) During the period of the continuance, the court may make orders for the support and maintenance of the parties, the custody of the minor children of the marriage, the support of children for whom support may be ordered, attorney's fees, and for the preservation of the property of the parties.
(c) At any time after the termination of the period of the continuance, either party may move for the dissolution of the marriage or a legal separation of the parties, and the court may enter a judgment of dissolution of the marriage or legal separation of the parties.
(b) During the period of the continuance, the court may make orders for the support and maintenance of the parties, the custody of the minor children of the marriage, the support of children for whom support may be ordered, attorney's fees, and for the preservation of the property of the parties.
(c) At any time after the termination of the period of the continuance, either party may move for the dissolution of the marriage or a legal separation of the parties, and the court may enter a judgment of dissolution of the marriage or legal separation of the parties.
Except as otherwise provided by statute, in a pleading or
proceeding for dissolution of marriage or legal separation of the
parties, including depositions and discovery proceedings, evidence of
specific acts of misconduct is improper and inadmissible.
In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or legal
separation of the parties, where the judgment is to be entered by
default, the petitioner shall provide the court clerk with a stamped
envelope bearing sufficient postage addressed to the spouse who has
defaulted, with the address of the court clerk as the return address,
and the court clerk shall mail a copy of the request to enter
default to that spouse in the envelope provided. A judgment of
dissolution or legal separation, including relief requested in the
petition, shall not be denied solely on the basis that the request to
enter default was returned unopened to the court. The court clerk
shall maintain any such document returned by the post office as part
of the court file in the case.
(a) No judgment of dissolution or of legal separation of the
parties may be granted upon the default of one of the parties or upon
a statement or finding of fact made by a referee; but the court
shall, in addition to the statement or finding of the referee,
require proof of the grounds alleged, and the proof, if not taken
before the court, shall be by affidavit. In all cases where there are
minor children of the parties, each affidavit or offer of proof
shall include an estimate by the declarant or affiant of the monthly
gross income of each party. If the declarant or affiant has no
knowledge of the estimated monthly income of a party, the declarant
or affiant shall state why he or she has no knowledge. In all cases
where there is a community estate, each affidavit or offer of proof
shall include an estimate of the value of the assets and the debts
the declarant or affiant proposes to be distributed to each party,
unless the declarant or affiant has filed, or concurrently files, a
complete and accurate property declaration with the court.
(b) If the proof is by affidavit, the personal appearance of the affiant is required only when it appears to the court that any of the following circumstances exist:
(1) Reconciliation of the parties is reasonably possible.
(2) A proposed child custody order is not in the best interest of the child.
(3) A proposed child support order is less than a noncustodial parent is capable of paying.
(4) A personal appearance of a party or interested person would be in the best interests of justice.
(c) An affidavit submitted pursuant to this section shall contain a stipulation by the affiant that the affiant understands that proof will be by affidavit and that the affiant will not appear before the court unless so ordered by the court.
(b) If the proof is by affidavit, the personal appearance of the affiant is required only when it appears to the court that any of the following circumstances exist:
(1) Reconciliation of the parties is reasonably possible.
(2) A proposed child custody order is not in the best interest of the child.
(3) A proposed child support order is less than a noncustodial parent is capable of paying.
(4) A personal appearance of a party or interested person would be in the best interests of justice.
(c) An affidavit submitted pursuant to this section shall contain a stipulation by the affiant that the affiant understands that proof will be by affidavit and that the affiant will not appear before the court unless so ordered by the court.
(a) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, the court,
upon noticed motion, may sever and grant an early and separate trial
on the issue of the dissolution of the status of the marriage apart
from other issues.
(b) A preliminary declaration of disclosure with a completed schedule of assets and debts shall be served on the nonmoving party with the noticed motion unless it has been served previously, or unless the parties stipulate in writing to defer service of the preliminary declaration of disclosure until a later time.
(c) The court may impose upon a party any of the following conditions on granting a severance of the issue of the dissolution of the status of the marriage, and in case of that party's death, an order of any of the following conditions continues to be binding upon that party's estate:
(1) The party shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any taxes, reassessments, interest, and penalties payable by the other party in connection with the division of the community estate that would not have been payable if the parties were still married at the time the division was made.
(2) Until judgment has been entered on all remaining issues and has become final, the party shall maintain all existing health and medical insurance coverage for the other party and any minor children as named dependents, so long as the party is eligible to do so. If at any time during this period the party is not eligible to maintain that coverage, the party shall, at the party's sole expense, provide and maintain health and medical insurance coverage that is comparable to the existing health and medical insurance coverage to the extent it is available. To the extent that coverage is not available, the party shall be responsible to pay, and shall demonstrate to the court' s satisfaction the ability to pay, for the health and medical care for the other party and the minor children, to the extent that care would have been covered by the existing insurance coverage but for the dissolution of marital status, and shall otherwise indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any adverse consequences resulting from the loss or reduction of the existing coverage. For purposes of this subdivision, "health and medical insurance coverage" includes any coverage for which the parties are eligible under any group or individual health or other medical plan, fund, policy, or program.
(3) Until judgment has been entered on all remaining issues and has become final, the party shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any adverse consequences to the other party if the bifurcation results in a termination of the other party's right to a probate homestead in the residence in which the other party resides at the time the severance is granted.
(4) Until judgment has been entered on all remaining issues and has become final, the party shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any adverse consequences to the other party if the bifurcation results in the loss of the rights of the other party to a probate family allowance as the surviving spouse of the party.
(5) Until judgment has been entered on all remaining issues and has become final, the party shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any adverse consequences to the other party if the bifurcation results in the loss of the other party's rights with respect to any retirement, survivor, or deferred compensation benefits under any plan, fund, or arrangement, or to any elections or options associated therewith, to the extent that the other party would have been entitled to those benefits or elections as the spouse or surviving spouse of the party.
(6) The party shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any adverse consequences if the bifurcation results in the loss of rights to social security benefits or elections to the extent the other party would have been entitled to those benefits or elections as the surviving spouse of the party.
(7) (A) The court may make an order pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 5040 of the Probate Code, if appropriate, that a party maintain a beneficiary designation for a nonprobate transfer, as described in Section 5000 of the Probate Code, for a spouse or domestic partner for up to one-half of or, upon a showing of good cause, for all of a nonprobate transfer asset until judgment has been entered with respect to the community ownership of that asset, and until the other party's interest therein has been distributed to him or her.
(B) Except upon a showing of good cause, this paragraph does not apply to any of the following:
(i) A nonprobate transfer described in Section 5000 of the Probate Code that was not created by either party or that was acquired by either party by gift, descent, or devise.
(ii) An irrevocable trust.
(iii) A trust of which neither party is the grantor.
(iv) Powers of appointment under a trust instrument that was not created by either party or of which neither party is a grantor.
(v) The execution and filing of a disclaimer pursuant to Part 8 (commencing with Section 260) of Division 2 of the Probate Code.
(vi) The appointment of a party as a trustee.
(8) In order to preserve the ability of the party to defer the distribution of the Individual Retirement Account or annuity (IRA) established under Section 408 or 408A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (IRC) upon the death of the other party, the court may require that one-half, or all upon a showing of good cause, of the community interest in any IRA, by or for the benefit of the party, be assigned and transferred to the other party pursuant to Section 408(d)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. This paragraph does not limit the power granted pursuant to subdivision (g).
(9) Upon a showing that circumstances exist that would place a substantial burden of enforcement upon either party's community property rights or would eliminate the ability of the surviving party to enforce his or her community property rights if the other party died before the division and distribution or compliance with any court-ordered payment of any community property interest therein, including, but not limited to, a situation in which preemption under federal law applies to an asset of a party, or purchase by a bona fide purchaser has occurred, the court may order a specific security interest designed to reduce or eliminate the likelihood that a postmortem enforcement proceeding would be ineffective or unduly burdensome to the surviving party. For this purpose, those orders may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
(A) An order that the party provide an undertaking.
(B) An order to provide a security interest by Qualified Domestic Relations Order from that party's share of a retirement plan or plans.
(C) An order for the creation of a trust as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 82 of the Probate Code.
(D) An order for other arrangements as may be reasonably necessary and feasible to provide appropriate security in the event of the party's death before judgment has been entered with respect to the community ownership of that asset, and until the other party's interest therein has been distributed to him or her.
(E) If a retirement plan is not subject to an enforceable court order for the payment of spousal survivor benefits to the other party, an interim order requiring the party to pay or cause to be paid, and to post adequate security for the payment of, any survivor benefit that would have been payable to the other party on the death of the party but for the judgment granting a dissolution of the status of the marriage, pending entry of judgment on all remaining issues.
(10) Any other condition the court determines is just and equitable.
(d) Prior to, or simultaneously with, entry of judgment granting dissolution of the status of the marriage, all of the following shall occur:
(1) The party's retirement or pension plan shall be joined as a party to the proceeding for dissolution, unless joinder is precluded or made unnecessary by Title 1 of the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 1001 et seq.), as amended (ERISA), or any other applicable law.
(2) To preserve the claims of each spouse in all retirement plan benefits upon entry of judgment granting a dissolution of the status of the marriage, the court shall enter one of the following in connection with the judgment for each retirement plan in which either party is a participant:
(A) An order pursuant to Section 2610 disposing of each party's interest in retirement plan benefits, including survivor and death benefits.
(B) An interim order preserving the nonemployee party's right to retirement plan benefits, including survivor and death benefits, pending entry of judgment on all remaining issues.
(C) An attachment to the judgment granting a dissolution of the status of the marriage, as follows:
(b) A preliminary declaration of disclosure with a completed schedule of assets and debts shall be served on the nonmoving party with the noticed motion unless it has been served previously, or unless the parties stipulate in writing to defer service of the preliminary declaration of disclosure until a later time.
(c) The court may impose upon a party any of the following conditions on granting a severance of the issue of the dissolution of the status of the marriage, and in case of that party's death, an order of any of the following conditions continues to be binding upon that party's estate:
(1) The party shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any taxes, reassessments, interest, and penalties payable by the other party in connection with the division of the community estate that would not have been payable if the parties were still married at the time the division was made.
(2) Until judgment has been entered on all remaining issues and has become final, the party shall maintain all existing health and medical insurance coverage for the other party and any minor children as named dependents, so long as the party is eligible to do so. If at any time during this period the party is not eligible to maintain that coverage, the party shall, at the party's sole expense, provide and maintain health and medical insurance coverage that is comparable to the existing health and medical insurance coverage to the extent it is available. To the extent that coverage is not available, the party shall be responsible to pay, and shall demonstrate to the court' s satisfaction the ability to pay, for the health and medical care for the other party and the minor children, to the extent that care would have been covered by the existing insurance coverage but for the dissolution of marital status, and shall otherwise indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any adverse consequences resulting from the loss or reduction of the existing coverage. For purposes of this subdivision, "health and medical insurance coverage" includes any coverage for which the parties are eligible under any group or individual health or other medical plan, fund, policy, or program.
(3) Until judgment has been entered on all remaining issues and has become final, the party shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any adverse consequences to the other party if the bifurcation results in a termination of the other party's right to a probate homestead in the residence in which the other party resides at the time the severance is granted.
(4) Until judgment has been entered on all remaining issues and has become final, the party shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any adverse consequences to the other party if the bifurcation results in the loss of the rights of the other party to a probate family allowance as the surviving spouse of the party.
(5) Until judgment has been entered on all remaining issues and has become final, the party shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any adverse consequences to the other party if the bifurcation results in the loss of the other party's rights with respect to any retirement, survivor, or deferred compensation benefits under any plan, fund, or arrangement, or to any elections or options associated therewith, to the extent that the other party would have been entitled to those benefits or elections as the spouse or surviving spouse of the party.
(6) The party shall indemnify and hold the other party harmless from any adverse consequences if the bifurcation results in the loss of rights to social security benefits or elections to the extent the other party would have been entitled to those benefits or elections as the surviving spouse of the party.
(7) (A) The court may make an order pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 5040 of the Probate Code, if appropriate, that a party maintain a beneficiary designation for a nonprobate transfer, as described in Section 5000 of the Probate Code, for a spouse or domestic partner for up to one-half of or, upon a showing of good cause, for all of a nonprobate transfer asset until judgment has been entered with respect to the community ownership of that asset, and until the other party's interest therein has been distributed to him or her.
(B) Except upon a showing of good cause, this paragraph does not apply to any of the following:
(i) A nonprobate transfer described in Section 5000 of the Probate Code that was not created by either party or that was acquired by either party by gift, descent, or devise.
(ii) An irrevocable trust.
(iii) A trust of which neither party is the grantor.
(iv) Powers of appointment under a trust instrument that was not created by either party or of which neither party is a grantor.
(v) The execution and filing of a disclaimer pursuant to Part 8 (commencing with Section 260) of Division 2 of the Probate Code.
(vi) The appointment of a party as a trustee.
(8) In order to preserve the ability of the party to defer the distribution of the Individual Retirement Account or annuity (IRA) established under Section 408 or 408A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (IRC) upon the death of the other party, the court may require that one-half, or all upon a showing of good cause, of the community interest in any IRA, by or for the benefit of the party, be assigned and transferred to the other party pursuant to Section 408(d)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. This paragraph does not limit the power granted pursuant to subdivision (g).
(9) Upon a showing that circumstances exist that would place a substantial burden of enforcement upon either party's community property rights or would eliminate the ability of the surviving party to enforce his or her community property rights if the other party died before the division and distribution or compliance with any court-ordered payment of any community property interest therein, including, but not limited to, a situation in which preemption under federal law applies to an asset of a party, or purchase by a bona fide purchaser has occurred, the court may order a specific security interest designed to reduce or eliminate the likelihood that a postmortem enforcement proceeding would be ineffective or unduly burdensome to the surviving party. For this purpose, those orders may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
(A) An order that the party provide an undertaking.
(B) An order to provide a security interest by Qualified Domestic Relations Order from that party's share of a retirement plan or plans.
(C) An order for the creation of a trust as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 82 of the Probate Code.
(D) An order for other arrangements as may be reasonably necessary and feasible to provide appropriate security in the event of the party's death before judgment has been entered with respect to the community ownership of that asset, and until the other party's interest therein has been distributed to him or her.
(E) If a retirement plan is not subject to an enforceable court order for the payment of spousal survivor benefits to the other party, an interim order requiring the party to pay or cause to be paid, and to post adequate security for the payment of, any survivor benefit that would have been payable to the other party on the death of the party but for the judgment granting a dissolution of the status of the marriage, pending entry of judgment on all remaining issues.
(10) Any other condition the court determines is just and equitable.
(d) Prior to, or simultaneously with, entry of judgment granting dissolution of the status of the marriage, all of the following shall occur:
(1) The party's retirement or pension plan shall be joined as a party to the proceeding for dissolution, unless joinder is precluded or made unnecessary by Title 1 of the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 1001 et seq.), as amended (ERISA), or any other applicable law.
(2) To preserve the claims of each spouse in all retirement plan benefits upon entry of judgment granting a dissolution of the status of the marriage, the court shall enter one of the following in connection with the judgment for each retirement plan in which either party is a participant:
(A) An order pursuant to Section 2610 disposing of each party's interest in retirement plan benefits, including survivor and death benefits.
(B) An interim order preserving the nonemployee party's right to retirement plan benefits, including survivor and death benefits, pending entry of judgment on all remaining issues.
(C) An attachment to the judgment granting a dissolution of the status of the marriage, as follows:
EACH PARTY (insert names and addresses) IS PROVISIONALLY AWARDED
WITHOUT PREJUDICE AND SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT BY A SUBSEQUENT DOMESTIC
RELATIONS ORDER, A SEPARATE INTEREST EQUAL TO ONE-HALF OF ALL
BENEFITS ACCRUED OR TO BE ACCRUED UNDER THE PLAN (name each plan
individually) AS A RESULT OF EMPLOYMENT OF THE OTHER PARTY DURING THE
MARRIAGE OR DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP AND PRIOR TO THE DATE OF
SEPARATION. IN ADDITION, PENDING FURTHER NOTICE, THE PLAN SHALL, AS
ALLOWED BY LAW, OR IN THE CASE OF A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN, AS ALLOWED BY
THE TERMS OF THE PLAN, CONTINUE TO TREAT THE PARTIES AS MARRIED OR
DOMESTIC PARTNERS FOR PURPOSES OF ANY SURVIVOR RIGHTS OR BENEFITS
AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR
PAYMENT OF AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THAT SEPARATE INTEREST OR FOR ALL OF
THE SURVIVOR BENEFIT IF AT THE TIME OF THE DEATH OF THE PARTICIPANT,
THERE IS NO OTHER ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT OF THE SURVIVOR BENEFIT.
(e) The moving party shall promptly serve a copy of any order,
interim order, or attachment entered pursuant to paragraph (2) of
subdivision (d), and a copy of the judgment granting a dissolution of
the status of the marriage, on the retirement or pension plan
administrator.
(f) A judgment granting a dissolution of the status of the marriage shall expressly reserve jurisdiction for later determination of all other pending issues.
(g) If the party dies after the entry of judgment granting a dissolution of marriage, any obligation imposed by this section shall be enforceable against any asset, including the proceeds thereof, against which these obligations would have been enforceable prior to the person's death.
(f) A judgment granting a dissolution of the status of the marriage shall expressly reserve jurisdiction for later determination of all other pending issues.
(g) If the party dies after the entry of judgment granting a dissolution of marriage, any obligation imposed by this section shall be enforceable against any asset, including the proceeds thereof, against which these obligations would have been enforceable prior to the person's death.
(a) In a proceeding for dissolution of the marriage or legal
separation of the parties, the court shall file its decision and any
statement of decision as in other cases.
(b) If the court determines that no dissolution should be granted, a judgment to that effect only shall be entered.
(c) If the court determines that a dissolution should be granted, a judgment of dissolution of marriage shall be entered. After the entry of the judgment and before it becomes final, neither party has the right to dismiss the proceeding without the consent of the other.
(b) If the court determines that no dissolution should be granted, a judgment to that effect only shall be entered.
(c) If the court determines that a dissolution should be granted, a judgment of dissolution of marriage shall be entered. After the entry of the judgment and before it becomes final, neither party has the right to dismiss the proceeding without the consent of the other.
Where a judgment of dissolution or nullity of marriage or
legal separation of the parties is to be granted upon the default of
one of the parties:
(a) The signature of the spouse who has defaulted on any marital settlement agreement or on any stipulated judgment shall be notarized.
(b) The court clerk shall give notice of entry of judgment of dissolution of marriage, nullity of marriage, or legal separation to the attorney for each party or to the party, if unrepresented.
(c) For the purpose of mailing the notice of entry of judgment, the party submitting the judgment shall provide the court clerk with a stamped envelope bearing sufficient postage addressed to the attorney for the other party or to the party, if unrepresented, with the address of the court clerk as the return address. The court clerk shall maintain any such document returned by the post office as part of the court file in the case.
(a) The signature of the spouse who has defaulted on any marital settlement agreement or on any stipulated judgment shall be notarized.
(b) The court clerk shall give notice of entry of judgment of dissolution of marriage, nullity of marriage, or legal separation to the attorney for each party or to the party, if unrepresented.
(c) For the purpose of mailing the notice of entry of judgment, the party submitting the judgment shall provide the court clerk with a stamped envelope bearing sufficient postage addressed to the attorney for the other party or to the party, if unrepresented, with the address of the court clerk as the return address. The court clerk shall maintain any such document returned by the post office as part of the court file in the case.
(a) Subject to subdivision (b) and to Sections 2340 to 2344,
inclusive, no judgment of dissolution is final for the purpose of
terminating the marriage relationship of the parties until six months
have expired from the date of service of a copy of summons and
petition or the date of appearance of the respondent, whichever
occurs first.
(b) The court may extend the six-month period described in subdivision (a) for good cause shown.
(b) The court may extend the six-month period described in subdivision (a) for good cause shown.
A judgment of dissolution of marriage shall specify the date
on which the judgment becomes finally effective for the purpose of
terminating the marriage relationship of the parties.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 2340, if an appeal is taken from
the judgment or a motion for a new trial is made, the dissolution of
marriage does not become final until the motion or appeal has been
finally disposed of, nor then, if the motion has been granted or
judgment reversed.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the filing of an appeal or of a motion for a new trial does not stay the effect of a judgment insofar as it relates to the dissolution of the marriage status and restoring the parties to the status of unmarried persons, unless the appealing or moving party specifies in the notice of appeal or motion for new trial an objection to the termination of the marriage status. No party may make such an objection to the termination of the marriage status unless such an objection was also made at the time of trial.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the filing of an appeal or of a motion for a new trial does not stay the effect of a judgment insofar as it relates to the dissolution of the marriage status and restoring the parties to the status of unmarried persons, unless the appealing or moving party specifies in the notice of appeal or motion for new trial an objection to the termination of the marriage status. No party may make such an objection to the termination of the marriage status unless such an objection was also made at the time of trial.
Where a joint petition under Chapter 5 (commencing with
Section 2400) is thereafter revoked and either party commences a
proceeding pursuant to Section 2330 within 90 days from the date of
the filing of the revocation, the date the judgment becomes a final
judgment under Section 2339 shall be calculated by deducting the
period of time which has elapsed from the date of filing the joint
petition to the date of filing the revocation.
The court may, upon notice and for good cause shown, or on
stipulation of the parties, retain jurisdiction over the date of
termination of the marital status, or may order that the marital
status be terminated at a future specified date. On the date of
termination of the marital status, the parties are restored to the
status of unmarried persons.
(a) The death of either party after entry of the judgment
does not prevent the judgment from becoming a final judgment under
Sections 2339 to 2343, inclusive.
(b) Subdivision (a) does not validate a marriage by either party before the judgment becomes final, nor does it constitute a defense in a criminal prosecution against either party.
(b) Subdivision (a) does not validate a marriage by either party before the judgment becomes final, nor does it constitute a defense in a criminal prosecution against either party.
The court may not render a judgment of the legal separation
of the parties without the consent of both parties unless one party
has not made a general appearance and the petition is one for legal
separation.
(a) If the court determines that a judgment of dissolution of
the marriage should be granted, but by mistake, negligence, or
inadvertence, the judgment has not been signed, filed, and entered,
the court may cause the judgment to be signed, dated, filed, and
entered in the proceeding as of the date when the judgment could have
been signed, dated, filed, and entered originally, if it appears to
the satisfaction of the court that no appeal is to be taken in the
proceeding or motion made for a new trial, to annul or set aside the
judgment, or for relief under Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 469)
of Title 6 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(b) The court may act under subdivision (a) on its own motion or upon the motion of either party to the proceeding. In contested cases, the motion of a party shall be with notice to the other party.
(c) The court may cause the judgment to be entered nunc pro tunc as provided in this section, even though the judgment may have been previously entered, where through mistake, negligence, or inadvertence the judgment was not entered as soon as it could have been entered under the law if applied for.
(d) The court shall not cause a judgment to be entered nunc pro tunc as provided in this section as of a date before trial in the matter, before the date of an uncontested judgment hearing in the matter, or before the date of submission to the court of an application for judgment on affidavit pursuant to Section 2336. Upon the entry of the judgment, the parties have the same rights with regard to the dissolution of marriage becoming final on the date that it would have become final had the judgment been entered upon the date when it could have been originally entered.
(b) The court may act under subdivision (a) on its own motion or upon the motion of either party to the proceeding. In contested cases, the motion of a party shall be with notice to the other party.
(c) The court may cause the judgment to be entered nunc pro tunc as provided in this section, even though the judgment may have been previously entered, where through mistake, negligence, or inadvertence the judgment was not entered as soon as it could have been entered under the law if applied for.
(d) The court shall not cause a judgment to be entered nunc pro tunc as provided in this section as of a date before trial in the matter, before the date of an uncontested judgment hearing in the matter, or before the date of submission to the court of an application for judgment on affidavit pursuant to Section 2336. Upon the entry of the judgment, the parties have the same rights with regard to the dissolution of marriage becoming final on the date that it would have become final had the judgment been entered upon the date when it could have been originally entered.
A judgment of legal separation of the parties does not bar a
subsequent judgment of dissolution of the marriage granted pursuant
to a petition for dissolution filed by either party.
(a) In addition to the requirements of Section 103200 of the
Health and Safety Code, the clerk of the superior court of each
county shall report annually to the Judicial Council the number of
judgments entered in the county during the preceding calendar year or
other 12-month period as required by the Judicial Council for each
of the following:
(1) Dissolution of marriage.
(2) Legal separation of the parties.
(3) Nullity of marriage.
(b) After the Judicial Branch Statistical Information System (JBSIS) is operational statewide, the clerk of the superior court of each county shall also report annually to the Judicial Council the number of each of those judgments specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subdivision (a), entered in the county during the preceding calendar year or other 12-month period as required by the Judicial Council, that include orders relating to child custody, visitation, or support.
(c) The Judicial Council shall include in its annual report to the Legislature on court statistics the number of each of the types of judgments entered in the state reported pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b).
(d) The Judicial Council shall establish the applicable 12-month reporting period, the due date, and forms to be used, for submission of data pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b). Until the Judicial Branch Statistical Information System (JBSIS) is operational statewide, the clerk of the superior court may report the data described in subdivision (a) using existing data collection systems, according to current Judicial Council statistical reporting regulations.
(1) Dissolution of marriage.
(2) Legal separation of the parties.
(3) Nullity of marriage.
(b) After the Judicial Branch Statistical Information System (JBSIS) is operational statewide, the clerk of the superior court of each county shall also report annually to the Judicial Council the number of each of those judgments specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subdivision (a), entered in the county during the preceding calendar year or other 12-month period as required by the Judicial Council, that include orders relating to child custody, visitation, or support.
(c) The Judicial Council shall include in its annual report to the Legislature on court statistics the number of each of the types of judgments entered in the state reported pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b).
(d) The Judicial Council shall establish the applicable 12-month reporting period, the due date, and forms to be used, for submission of data pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b). Until the Judicial Branch Statistical Information System (JBSIS) is operational statewide, the clerk of the superior court may report the data described in subdivision (a) using existing data collection systems, according to current Judicial Council statistical reporting regulations.
