File your own California divorce without the $15,000 attorney.
You answer questions. Virdix picks and fills the California forms.
Rejected by the clerk? We fix it free, guaranteed.
Rejected by the clerk? We fix it free, guaranteed.Start free. $79 once. Court filing fees separate.
What we do
Everything you need to file your own divorce is on Virdix.
You answer plain questions. Virdix completes the official forms your case needs, checks them the way a clerk would, and tells you where to file in your county. Starting is free.
About your children
Do you and the other parent have minor children together?
Let's get your DIY divorce filing started today.
Answer a few plain-English questions about your marriage, your finances, and your children if you have them. Your court forms build themselves as you go, and you see previews of your completed documents before you pay anything.
Get startedIf a clerk rejects a document, we fix it free until it's accepted. Learn more
Why people choose Virdix
You still make every decision
Virdix doesn't file on your behalf, negotiate with your spouse, or decide what to request from the court. It's still your case, your choices, and your signature on every form.
The blank form goes away
Instead of a PDF and a court self-help booklet, you answer plain-English questions once. Virdix maps your answers onto the correct Judicial Council forms, including FL-100, FL-110, FL-105 if you have children, and the financial disclosure forms.
All 58 California counties
Filing instructions matched to your county's Superior Court, so you're not cross-referencing a generic guide against your local court's requirements.
One flat price, upfront
Start free and see everything first. $79 once when your documents are ready ($349 after October 31). No retainers, no hourly billing, no hidden fees.
You keep the option to get help
When a form field calls for legal judgment rather than facts, Virdix says so plainly instead of guessing. Nothing about using Virdix prevents a one-time attorney consultation on a specific issue.
Rejected by the clerk? We fix it free, guaranteed
If a court clerk rejects a document we prepared, we fix it for free until it's accepted.
A case manager, included.
Answers your questions about the process and filing, and emails you when the review finds something.
How it works
We don't just give you forms. We walk you through the entire family court process, educating you along the way.
About your children
Do you and the other parent have minor children together?
Tell us about your case
Answer simple questions about your situation. We'll determine exactly what documents you need for your county.
About your children
Do you and the other parent have minor children together?
Build your documents
Use our guided builders for declarations, parenting plans, and settlement agreements. Our builders organize what happened into clear, complete documents.
Your words
on march 15 he kept the kids past the 6pm exchange time in our court order again and didn't answer either of my two calls
Court-ready version
On March 15, Respondent failed to return the children at the court-ordered exchange time of 6:00 p.m. and did not respond to my two phone calls.
AI Suggestion
Add the actual return time and any witnesses so your account is complete.
File and serve
Get step-by-step filing instructions for your courthouse. We guide you through serving the other party.
Complete your case
Navigate hearings, responses, and final judgments with guidance at every step until your case is resolved.
Compare your options
Three ways to file your own divorce
- Plain-English questions instead of blank PDFs
- FL-100 Petition, FL-110 Summons, and every required form included
- County-matched filing instructions for all 58 counties
- Still your case, your choices, your signature
$79Once, when your documents are ready. Free to start.
Other online services
- Generic templates not matched to your county
- Days, sometimes a week, before your forms come back
- No guidance on which forms your case needs
- Add-on fees for forms other services don't include
$400 to $2,000Typical published rates for online divorce services.
Traditional attorney
- Retainers up front, then hourly billing
- Conflict escalates through opposing attorneys
- Scheduling delays can stretch for months
- You wait on someone else for every document
$5,000+Attorney-represented California family law cases commonly run $5,000 to $15,000.
File for divorce without the $15,000 attorney.
DIY divorce questions
Is DIY divorce legal in California?+
Yes. California explicitly allows self-representation, called appearing pro se or in propria persona. A large share of California family law cases have at least one self-represented party, and the Judicial Council forms are built to be completed without an attorney.
What makes a case a good fit for DIY divorce?+
Cases with no complex assets, no business interests, both spouses willing to exchange financial information honestly, and no history of domestic violence tend to work well as DIY cases. The more you and your spouse already agree on, the more straightforward a DIY filing is.
What is the difference between DIY divorce and using Virdix?+
Both are self-representation: you remain the one filing your own case, and neither involves an attorney. The difference is how you get from blank forms to filed paperwork. Fully DIY means reading court self-help guides and filling out blank PDFs yourself. Virdix asks you plain-English questions and fills out the same official forms for you.
Can I switch from DIY to hiring an attorney partway through?+
Yes. Nothing about starting your case yourself locks you out of hiring an attorney later, including for a single task through unbundled legal services. Some people file the initial paperwork themselves and bring in an attorney only if the case becomes contested.
Do I need a lawyer for a DIY divorce in California?+
No. Self-representation is a recognized legal path in California, and the Judicial Council forms are built to be completed without an attorney. Virdix walks you through the process and prepares your documents, but is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
Does DIY divorce cost anything in California?+
You still owe the court's filing fee, generally $435 to $450 depending on the county, regardless of whether you prepare your own forms or pay someone to help. A fee waiver (form FW-001) is available if you qualify based on income or public benefits.
Is your case a good fit for DIY?
DIY works well for a lot of California cases. It works less well for a few specific ones. Be honest about which side you're on before you start.
Usually a good fit
- No business interests or complex investment accounts to divide
- Both spouses are willing to share financial information honestly
- No history of domestic violence between spouses
- You're comfortable reading instructions and filling out your own forms
- You and your spouse agree on most or all major issues
Worth a consultation first
- A business, real property, or retirement account is hard to value or divide
- You suspect your spouse is hiding income or assets
- There's a history of domestic violence or safety concerns
- Custody is seriously contested, not just a scheduling detail
- One spouse has already hired an attorney
None of these rule out filing your own paperwork. They're signals for when a one-time consultation with a licensed California family law attorney, alongside your own filing, is worth the cost. See our full breakdown of DIY divorce vs. hiring a lawyer in California.
Go deeper on DIY divorce in California
Virdix is a self-help document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. If your case involves domestic violence or you fear for your safety, call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.