Getting Help Finishing Your Divorce
The One Day Divorce Program assists parties with divorce cases before Sacramento Superior Court to finish the case and get a final judgment. Volunteer attorneys and law students assist eligible parties in finalizing an agreement and preparing all of the necessary forms to obtain the final Judgment. Parties who successfully complete the process will go before a judge the same day and will leave court with a final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.
Who Can Participate?
The One Day Divorce Program is for self-represented litigants who have filed a dissolution of marriage (divorce) case in Sacramento County and are ready for judgment. Your case is ready for judgment if you can answer Yes to all of the following three questions:
- Has the summons and petition been served on Respondent?
- Has a Proof of Service of Summons OR a Response been filed with the Court?
- Have you and your spouse reached an agreement on all orders that will be included in your judgment, including division of property and debts, spousal support, and if you have children, a parenting plan and child support? (this is not a requirement if you are the petitioner, your spouse has not filed a response AND he or she does not intend to participate in the clinic.)
Caution! If you or your spouse has retirement benefits that were earned during the marriage, you will not be able to complete your judgment unless the retirement benefits are listed in your Petition and/or Response.
If you are the Respondent, you may not participate in the program without the Petitioner.
How Can I Sign Up?
First, check your monthly household income against this chart to determine if you qualify for the program (if both spouses will attend the clinic, you must both meet the income guidelines):
| Number of Household Members |
Monthly Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | $2,608.00 |
| 3 | $3,067.00 |
| 4 | $3,700.00 |
| 5 | $4,333.00 |
| 6 | $4,967.00 |
| Each additional | $633.00 |
If you meet the requirements above, please contact us through e-Correspondence to request an appointment. Clinics are held on the second and third Fridays of each month beginning at 9:00 a.m. and continuing until your judgment has been entered. In some cases, participants are able to complete the process by noon, but you should be prepared to spend the entire day at the courthouse. Participation is by appointment only.
