How long do you need to live in CA before you can file for dissolution?
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To be eligible to file for a dissolution of marriage, California state
law says that you must live in the county in which you will file for three
months (six months if you have children). If you do have children, they
must also have lived in the state for six months before the filing.
If you don’t meet those requirements, you can file for what’s
called a legal separation, which doesn’t have the residency requirements.
Once you do meet the requirements, you can convert the legal separation
into a dissolution. However, to move forward in California, you do need to meet the residency
requirements.
If you don’t meet the dissolution requirements,
you can file for legal separation.
Now, if your spouse is in another state and you were employed and/or own
property there, filing in that state might be preferred. Otherwise, you
can wait out the resident requirements here in California.
If you have any questions about this or other topics related to the legalities
of divorce, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.