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Divorce Help Finder
United States · California

Free legal aid for divorce in California

A short, sourced starting point for California. It’s general information — check the linked official pages for your county.

1. Free legal help

Nonprofit legal aid is usually for people on low incomes, and many organizations prioritize cases involving domestic violence or children. If they can’t take your case, ask about self-help clinics or referral programs.

2. The court’s self-help information

California Courts Self-Help Guide: divorce [Judicial Branch of California — Self-Help Guide]

3. Key facts

Residency
One spouse must have lived in California for the last 6 months and in the county for the last 3 months. [Judicial Branch of California — Self-Help Guide]
Filing fee
The court’s self-help guide gives the first filing fee as $435–$450. [Judicial Branch of California — Self-Help Guide]
Can’t afford the fee?
Ask the court to waive fees with form FW-001, Request to Waive Court Fees; the judge decides on form FW-003. [Judicial Branch of California — Self-Help Guide]

Fees and forms change and can differ by county — check the current figure with the clerk of court before you file.

Sources

We only rely on official or recognised sources. Rules and figures change — always check the source before you act.

  1. LawHelpCA — LawHelpCA.org. Link checked 28 September 2026 (signpost; we don’t cite figures from it).
  2. Divorce in California — Judicial Branch of California — Self-Help Guide. Content checked 28 September 2026.
  3. Start a divorce: forms (residency, filing fee) — Judicial Branch of California — Self-Help Guide. Content checked 28 September 2026.
  4. Fee waivers (form FW-001) — Judicial Branch of California — Self-Help Guide. Content checked 28 September 2026.
  5. I Need Legal Help — find an LSC-funded legal aid organization — Legal Services Corporation. Content checked 28 September 2026.
  6. LawHelp.org — free legal help and information from nonprofit legal aid — Pro Bono Net. Link checked 28 September 2026 (signpost; we don’t cite figures from it).