Rule 5.77.Summary dissolution

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 4. Starting and Responding to a Family Law Case; Service of Papers · Article 6. Specific Proceedings · Last amended 2013 · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.77 sets the disclosure each joint petitioner must exchange before signing a settlement agreement in a summary dissolution, and fixes the filing fee at one.

Full Text of Rule 5.77

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) Declaration of disclosure

To comply with the preliminary disclosure requirements of chapter 9 (beginning with section 2100) of part 1 of division 6 of the Family Code in proceedings for summary dissolution, each joint petitioner must complete and give each other copies of the following documents before signing a property settlement agreement or completing a divorce:

(1) An Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150).

(2) Either of the following documents listing separate and community property assets and obligations:

(A) Declaration of Disclosure (form FL-140) and either a Schedule of Assets and Debts or a Property Declaration (form FL-160) with all attachments; or

(B) The completed worksheet pages indicated in Summary Dissolution Information (form FL-810).

(3) A written statement of all investment, business, or other income-producing opportunities that came up after the date of separation based on investments made or work done during the marriage or domestic partnership and before the date of separation.

(4) All tax returns filed by the spouse or domestic partner in the two year period before exchanging the worksheets or forms described in (2).

(b) Fee for filing

The joint petitioners must pay one fee for filing a Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution of Marriage (form FL-800) unless both parties are eligible for a fee waiver order. The fee is the same as that charged for filing a Petition—Marriage (form FL-100). No additional fee may be charged for the filing of any form prescribed for use in a summary dissolution proceeding.

End

Plain-English Summary

Summary dissolution is simplified, not disclosure-free. Before signing a property settlement agreement or completing the divorce, each joint petitioner must complete and give the other an Income and Expense Declaration; a listing of separate and community assets and obligations, either on the declaration of disclosure with a schedule of assets and debts or property declaration, or on the worksheet pages in the summary dissolution booklet; a written statement of investment, business, or other income-producing opportunities that arose after separation from work done or investments made during the marriage or partnership and before separation; and all tax returns filed in the two years before the exchange.

On fees, the rule is protective. The joint petitioners pay one filing fee, the same as for an ordinary petition, unless both qualify for a waiver — and no additional fee may be charged for filing any of the other summary dissolution forms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still have to disclose finances in a summary dissolution?

Yes. Each joint petitioner must exchange an income and expense declaration, a listing of assets and obligations, a statement of post-separation income-producing opportunities arising from pre-separation work or investments, and two years of tax returns — before signing a settlement agreement or completing the divorce.

How many filing fees does a summary dissolution cost?

One. It is the same as the fee for filing a Petition—Marriage, and no additional fee may be charged for any other form prescribed for summary dissolution.

Amendment History

Rule 5.77 amended effective July 1, 2013; adopted effective January 1, 2013.

(Subd (a) amended effective July 1, 2013.)

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified September 10, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: summary dissolution California requirementsFL-800 joint petitionsummary dissolution disclosuresummary dissolution filing fee