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The answer to the question, "How to get a divorce in California without a lawyer," is to use divorce mediation and work with an experienced, professionally trained and highly skilled divorce mediator.

The filing cost for a legal separation in California is currently $435, but that cost may vary in Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Francisco counties. Many issues are treated similarly to divorce during the legal separation process, such as property, assets, debt, and child custody.

In California, there is no required separation period before you can get divorced. That means that you and your spouse are able to decide you want to get a divorce and, on the same day, file for divorce.

In order to be granted a legal separation, one of the spouses must file a petition with the appropriate court, requesting legal separation. Decisions regarding child support, custody, property and spousal support must be determined either by agreement or by the court.

In order to modify child custody in California, a parent must request a court hearing unless the other parent voluntarily agrees to the change. Additionally, the parent seeking the change must complete Form FL 300.

In California, a legal separation doesn't end a marriage or domestic partnership. Instead, it results in a court determining the rights and responsibilities of spouses who want to live apart. ... The process to file for legal separation in California is nearly the same as that used for a divorce/dissolution.

Unlike divorce, legal separation in California does not require any residency requirements and the date of separation takes effect immediately. Therefore, legal separation can be completed prior to the six month minimum time frame for divorce as there is no termination date of the marriage.