First divorce hearing timeline in California

If my wife and I filed for divorce in September 2024, when can we expect our first hearing with the judge? Is it typically 30-60-90 days, or longer?

Family Court in CA is reactive, so they don’t set court dates unless you file a Request for Order (RFO). In my area, it’s about 12 weeks from filing an RFO to a hearing.

So if I file an RFO today, I might not see a judge until February?

The timeline can vary greatly depending on the court’s backlog. Some courts may have hearings scheduled in just a couple of weeks.

It’s been 60 days for us, and we’re in Los Angeles.

In CA, it’s common for things to get delayed. If there’s no agreement, you might need to set up a temporary orders hearing.

My wife is emotional and hasn’t agreed to anything we discussed.

Make sure to get something filed ASAP, even if it’s a temporary order. The longer you wait, the longer the process will take.