People searching for a quick divorce in California — often typing "quick divorce California" or "how do I get a quick divorce" — usually want to know one thing: how fast can you get a divorce? The honest answer starts with a rule no one can get around, California’s mandatory six-month waiting period, and then comes down to how quickly you and your spouse can agree.
The six-month floor no one can skip
Under Family Code section 2339, your marital status cannot be terminated any sooner than six months after the responding spouse is served with the petition or first appears in the case. There is no expedited option, no filing fee that speeds it up, and no such thing as a California divorce finalized in a few weeks. Any service promising a truly quick divorce in California faster than six months is misleading you. That six months is the floor for everyone.
What actually makes a divorce fast
Within that limit, the single biggest factor in how fast you get a divorce is agreement. An uncontested divorce, where both spouses agree on property, support, and custody, can often be ready to finalize at or shortly after the six-month mark. A contested divorce — where the court has to decide disputed issues — can take a year or more. So the way to get a quick divorce is to resolve the terms cooperatively, often through mediation, and to prepare the paperwork correctly the first time so the court does not reject it.
Summary dissolution: the fastest route for those who qualify
California offers a streamlined path called summary dissolution for couples who meet strict conditions — a short marriage (generally under five years), no children together, limited property and debt, and a written agreement dividing what they have. It still cannot finish before six months, but it involves far less paperwork and no court appearance. Most couples do not qualify, but for those who do it is the simplest option.
Finishing as fast as the law allows
If speed is your priority, the practical strategy is: file promptly, serve your spouse right away to start the six-month clock, complete the required financial disclosures early, and negotiate a full agreement so nothing is left for a judge to decide. Handled that way, your divorce finishes about as fast as California law permits. Furubotten Law, APC can help you keep the process moving and avoid the paperwork mistakes that cause delay.
Talk to Furubotten Law
Every page on this site ends the same way it began: with a real lawyer. If you are navigating any of the issues discussed above, Denise Furubotten, Esq. brings 30 years of California family law experience to your matter. Call Furubotten Law, APC at (714) 795-3862 to schedule a confidential evaluation.