Forms indicated as fillable may be filled out electronically. A good place to start when researching the California court procedures for divorce or separation is the California Courts SelfHelp website.This video explains the service of process in small claims cases and what you need to know about serving your small claims forms. Please bring the reporting instruction portion of your summons with you filled out with your phone numbers and any address or name changes you may have. The process for initiating a contested divorce is to file a summons and complaint with the court. If you file, you are considered the plaintiff. The lawyers will choose the jury in the jury selection process. After the jury is selected, the trial can begin. Obtain and fill out required family law forms, both mandatory and casespecific. You may review the forms you might need in the section below.