How is a divorce initiated?

At least one spouse must have lived in California for six months and in the county where the divorce is filed for three months.

The person initiating the divorce (the petitioner) files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form FL-100) with the superior court in their county. This form outlines the grounds for divorce (California is a no-fault state, so the reason is typically "irreconcilable differences") and requests for division of property, spousal support, or child custody, if applicable.