How to Amend a Divorce Petition in California

A divorce petition in California is an official legal form that is filed in the Superior Court of California to institute a divorce proceeding. In California, divorce is called "dissolution of marriage." Thus, the appropriate legal form is called "Petition for Dissolution of Marriage." A dissolution of marriage petition includes basic information such as details about the marriage, including the number of minor children. Amending your divorce petition in California is straightforward and requires you to use the same legal form originally used to file your petition for divorce.

• 1

  Navigate to the California Courts website (see Resources).

• 2

  Click on fillable form "FL-100" described as "Petition-Marriage (Family Law)" and download it.

• 3

  Fill out form FL-100 as you did your original FL-100, making any appropriate changes as necessary.

• 4

  Check the "AMENDED" box at the top of the form to indicate that the petition is an amended petition. Complete, sign and date the form.

• 5

  Ask a person over the age of 18 and not a party to the divorce to serve the amended petition for dissolution on your estranged spouse and his attorney by United States mail.

• 6

  Submit the amended dissolution of marriage form for filing to the clerk of the court where your divorce proceeding is pending.