Contact Us Today 951-715-4632

Cullen Family Law Group
  • Home
  • About
  • Attorneys
    • Heather M. Cullen, CFLS
    • Alexandria Jaquay, CFLS
    • Moonazza “Mona” Naqvi
    • Da Nikka Huss
  • Services
    • Family Law
    • Divorce
    • Child Custody & Visitation
    • Child Support
    • Estate Planning In Divorce
    • Guardianship & Adoption
    • Legal Separation
    • Military Divorce
    • Property Division
    • Spousal Support
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Articles
    • California Certified Family Law Specialists
  • Contact
Cullen Family Law Group
  • Home
  • Firm Overview
  • Attorney Profiles
    • Heather M. Cullen, CFLS
    • Alexandria Jaquay, CFLS
    • Moonazza “Mona” Naqvi
    • Da Nikka Huss
  • Practice Areas
    • Family Law
    • Divorce
    • Child Custody And Visitation
    • Child Support
    • Domestic Violence
    • Guardianship & Adoption
    • Legal Separation
    • Military Divorce
    • Property Division
    • Spousal Support
  • Client Recommendations
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Articles
    • California-Certified Family Law Specialists
    • Video Center
  • Contact
  • x Close
EMAIL

CALL

Fast. Fair. Thorough.

  1. Home
  2.  | 
  3. Divorce (Dissolution)
  4.  | 
  5. Dissolution Timeline

Dissolution Timeline

File For Divorce (Dissolution)

The person filing for divorce is referred to as the petitioner. The petition is served on the respondent. The respondent has 30 days from the service date to file a response with the Court.

30 Days – No Response Filed

If the other party doesn’t file a response within 30 days, a default judgment may be filed wherein you can obtain a judgment based on the information you set forth in your petition.
When a default is obtained, the respondent cannot respond to the dissolution without filing a motion to set aside the default or the parties stipulating to allow the respondent to file a response.

30 Days – Response Filed

Both parties are on a level playing field, and they can begin negotiating for a settlement or preparing for trial. Negotiating for settlement or preparing for trial often includes exchanging discovery and requesting temporary orders from the Court on issues such as child custody, visitation, child and spousal support, property, and attorney fees.

Discovery (Time Varies)

Discovery is simply the exchanging of information. The information can be in the form of documents that can be exchanged between the parties or in the form of testimony that can be obtained through depositions. Discovery is the time when information regarding disputed issues is ascertained. The length of discovery will depend on the amount of property acquired during the marriage (assets and debts) and the amount of those items which are contested (not agreed upon by the parties).

Mandatory Settlement Conference

When discovery is completed, if no settlement has been reached, either party may request the Court to schedule a mandatory settlement conference (some courts schedule these conferences automatically). The purpose of this conference is to allow the parties and their attorneys to discuss the case and try to resolve contested issues. The conferences are at the courthouse, allowing either side to request court assistance in resolving a matter. The Court does not usually make orders during these conferences. However, the Court offers helpful advice to assist the parties in settling their matter. It is very common for the Court to order more than one mandatory settlement conference.

Trial

All issues that are not resolved by a settlement will be decided by the Court at a trial. The trial will include all remaining issues in the matter. A trial can take as little as one afternoon or may be many days long, depending on the number and complexity of the issues.

The outcome of the trial is a judgment.

 

Practice Areas

  • Family Law
    • Adoption & Guardianships
    • Domestic Violence
    • Out of State Clients
    • Same-Sex Family Law
    • Stepparent Adoptions
    • Emergency Family Law Hearings in Riverside and San Bernardino
    • Request for Order (RFO): What It Is and How It Works
    • Unbundled Family Law Services
  • Divorce (Dissolution)
    • Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce
    • Domestic Partnerships
    • Estate Planning In Divorce
    • Grey Divorce
    • High Net Worth Divorce
    • Legal Separation
    • Mediation / Collaborative Divorce
    • Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
    • Same–Sex Divorce
    • Spousal Support
    • Dissolution Timeline
    • Divorce Do’s and Don’ts
    • Divorce When There Is a Business Involved: Protecting Your Rights
    • What to Do If You’ve Been Served Divorce Papers
  • Child Custody & Visitation
    • Child Custody Overview
    • Fathers’ Rights
    • Grandparents’ Rights
    • Modification Of Child Custody Orders In California
    • Parental Relocations / Move-Aways
    • Parental Rights / Paternity
    • Enforcing Custody and Visitation Orders in California
    • Emergency Custody Orders in California
    • Move–Away Orders: When One Parent Wants to Relocate
    • Understanding 730 Child Custody Evaluations in California
    • Communicating With Your Children
    • Parental Alienation
    • Parental Interference
  • Child Support
    • Modifications (Child Support & Alimony)
    • Spousal Support / Alimony
    • Wage Garnishments (Collection of Support)
  • Estate Planning In Divorce
  • Guardianship & Adoption
  • Legal Separation
  • Military Divorce
    • Military Pension
    • Dividing CALPERS, Military, and Government Pensions in Divorce
  • Property Division
    • Business Valuations & Business Controllable Cash Flow
    • Hidden Assets
    • Property Rights: Simple & Complex
    • Property Settlement
  • Spousal Support
    • Spousal Support / Alimony
    • Spousal support in CA: Why does the date of the settlement matter?

Find Out How We Can Help You.

Call 951-715-4601, chat with us, or request a consultation below.

Riverside Office

4094 Chestnut Street
Riverside, CA 92501
951-715-4632

Fax: 951-715-4601

Riverside Office
Cullen Family Law Group

Temecula Office

28465 Old Town Front Street
Suite 321
Temecula, CA 92590
951-715-4632

Fax: 951-715-4601

Temecula Office
Review Us
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
Pay Invoice

We accept Visa, MC, Discover, AMEX & E-checks.

© 2025 Cullen Family Law Group • All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw