Divorce (also known as dissolution of marriage) is a legal proceeding to terminate a marriage. The dissolution procedure terminates marital relationship. In California, a dissolution of marriage can be granted if the court finds there to be irreconcilable differences that have caused a complete breakdown of the marriage. In effect, this means that if a married person wishes to terminate the marriage, he or she can do so, even if the other spouse disagrees.

In order to qualify for a divorce in this state, one of the spouses has to have been a resident of California for a continuous six months and of the specific county for a continuous three months prior to the filing of the Petition for Dissolution. Once the Respondent is served with the Summons and Petition, the marital status cannot be terminated until six months have passed since the service was effected.