| Getting a fast divorce without a lawyer in | | | | One of the key factors to consider is whether |
| California is particularly easy if you and your | | | | you satisfy the financial conditions that are |
| spouse qualify for California's summary dissolution | | | | required to qualify for a summary dissolution in |
| procedure. Summary dissolution forms are easy | | | | California. |
| to complete and available for download online. A | | | | With regard to the community property limitation |
| California summary dissolution is available for | | | | of $33,000.00, many people are confused about |
| couples who: | | | | how to ascertain what items constitute |
| (a) have no children together and are not | | | | community property. Community property is the |
| expecting a child; | | | | money and other items (assets) that you and |
| (b) have been married for only a relatively brief | | | | your spouse own jointly. In most situations, this |
| period of time (five years or less); | | | | includes any money that either of you earned |
| (c) do not own real property (lands or real | | | | during the time you were living together as |
| property); | | | | husband and wife, as well as anything either of |
| (d) excluding vehicles, do not have community | | | | you bought with money earned during that period. |
| property in excess of $33,000.00; | | | | Conversely, separate property (which is not |
| (e) neither party has separate (premarital ) | | | | divided) refers to: (a) anything that you owned |
| property in excess of $33,000.00 (excluding | | | | prior to the date of your marriage; anything you |
| vehicles); and | | | | earned or received after your separation; and (b) |
| (f) have total community obligations (debts | | | | gifts or inheritances, regardless of when they |
| incurred during their marriage) of $5,000.00 or | | | | were received. Before beginning any divorce |
| less. | | | | procedure, it is important to ascertain whether |
| If you satisfy the conditions set forth above, you | | | | you and your meet the foregoing financial |
| may strongly wish to consider summary | | | | requirements. |
| dissolution, which is the fastest California divorce | | | | Summary dissolution is the fastest, easiest and |
| procedure, in which neither party is required to | | | | most affordable California divorce procedure. |
| testify in court. Because there is no trial or | | | | California divorce forms are widely available for |
| hearing, and many couples find that the procedure | | | | download at a relatively modest cost. |
| is easy enough to handle without hiring a lawyer. | | | | |