Uncontested Divorce in Burbank

Turn a Complete Agreement into a California Divorce Judgment

An uncontested divorce is possible only when both spouses agree on every term that must appear in the final judgment. At Law Offices of Makupson & Howard, we guide Burbank, California residents through documenting those decisions, completing the required disclosures, and navigating the appropriate family court process.

Our firm has 56 years of California family law experience and represents clients across the broader Los Angeles metropolitan area. Managing Partner Kristen Howard leads our Pasadena-based team in divorce and other family law matters.

Call (888) 328-2734 to discuss the terms you have settled, any remaining concerns, and the appropriate path forward.

California Requirements for an Uncontested Divorce

California is a no-fault divorce state. A spouse may seek dissolution based on irreconcilable differences without proving misconduct. Before filing, at least one spouse generally must have lived in California for six months and in the filing county for the immediately preceding three months.

A complete agreement addresses each applicable issue:

• Property and debt division: The spouses must decide how to divide community property and shared debts.
• Child custody and visitation: Parents with minor children need an agreed parenting plan addressing custody and parenting time.
• Child support: The agreement must address support when the spouses share minor children.
• Spousal support: The spouses must agree whether support applies and, if so, its terms.

The parties record their decisions in a written marital settlement agreement, which is submitted for incorporation into the final divorce judgment. Because general California requirements can’t resolve every case-specific question, we evaluate the proposed terms against each client’s circumstances and goals.

The Burbank Uncontested Divorce Process

The Burbank Courthouse has jurisdiction over family cases arising in Burbank. Although the exact procedure depends on the case, a regular uncontested dissolution generally moves through filing, response, disclosure, settlement documentation, and judicial review.

Important stages include:

• Petition: The petitioner begins the case by filing Form FL-100.
• Response: The respondent has 30 days to respond to the divorce petition.
• Financial disclosure: California requires full disclosure in every divorce using Forms FL-140, FL-142, and FL-150.
• Settlement paperwork: The spouses submit their written agreement and proposed judgment documents for court review.
• Waiting period: California’s six-month waiting period begins when the respondent is served. The court can’t waive or shorten it.

Whether either spouse must appear in court depends on the circumstances and applicable court procedures. The six-month rule establishes the earliest possible termination date, but it doesn’t mean every case will be completed at that point.

Financial Disclosure & the Cost of an Agreed Divorce

Agreement doesn’t eliminate California’s disclosure requirements. Each spouse must provide the required financial information, even when both already understand their assets and debts. Failing to complete these requirements can create grounds for setting aside a divorce judgment.

Divorce expenses include court filing fees and, when representation is retained, attorney fees. The cost of an agreed matter depends on the issues involved, the completeness of the financial information, and whether negotiations remain productive. We can explain the work a particular situation may require after evaluating it.

When an Agreement Breaks Down

A case is no longer fully uncontested when spouses stop agreeing on one or more terms. Our mediation and litigation capabilities allow us to move from negotiated settlement efforts to court representation if the level of conflict changes, without requiring the client to switch attorneys.

Attorney Carolyn A. Makupson is a trained mediator and has been appointed by the court to represent children’s interests in contested custody matters. She brings both perspectives to cases that begin by agreement but later become disputed.

When Regular Uncontested Dissolution Applies

Couples who reach a complete agreement may use the regular process. It doesn’t impose the marriage-length or asset-limit restrictions that apply to the streamlined procedure. Standard filing, disclosure, and judgment requirements still apply.

Who Qualifies for Summary Dissolution

This separate, eligibility-based procedure uses Form FL-800. It generally requires a marriage of five years or less, no children or current pregnancy, no ownership of real property, limited qualifying debts, and property values within the limits established by California Family Code Section 2400. Eligibility doesn’t guarantee a faster result.

Clarify Your Divorce Terms & Next Steps

We provide tailored legal representation based on the issues involved in each divorce and the family’s circumstances. We can assess whether regular dissolution or the streamlined alternative may apply and explain how unresolved terms affect the process.

Questions about settlement terms, required disclosures, or whether a case remains uncontested can be submitted through our contact form.

Call (888) 328-2734 to speak with our firm about an uncontested divorce in Burbank.