The better way to respond to divorce papers.
Respond to divorce papers in California. Your documents are ready instantly.
Answer plain-English questions about your case and your Response is produced automatically. No waiting on anyone.
Start free. $79 once, when your documents are ready.
What we do
Everything you need to respond to divorce papers is on Virdix.
We make responding to divorce papers accessible, affordable, and less stressful. As you answer plain-English questions about your case, Virdix completes the official California forms your Response needs (like Form FL-120, the Response to a divorce petition, and FL-105 if you have children together), checks them the way a clerk would read them, and hands you county-matched filing instructions, from your first form to your final order. Starting is free: you see every form your case needs, and previews of your completed documents, before you pay anything.
About your children
Do you and the other parent have minor children together?
Let's get your Response started today, before your deadline.
Answer a few questions about your case. Your Response builds itself 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
Your 30-day deadline, tracked
California gives you 30 calendar days from the date you were served to file a Response. Miss it, and your spouse can ask for a default judgment on their terms. Virdix keeps your forms moving so you don't lose that time.
Documents ready instantly
Your Response is produced automatically as you answer. No waiting days for someone to prepare it, no mail, nothing to chase while your clock is running.
One flat price, upfront
Start free and see everything first. $79 once when your documents are ready. No retainers, no hourly billing, no hidden fees.
Built for contested cases
Whether you agree with the Petition or want something different for property, custody, or support, most services only take simple uncontested cases. Virdix was built for the hard ones too.
All 58 California counties
Filing instructions matched to your county's Superior Court, from your first form to your final order.
Accepted by the court, guaranteed
If a court clerk rejects a document we prepared, we fix it for free until it's accepted.
"Virdix created my packet based on my answers and gave me a lot more clarity and confidence in filing the right things… the questions aligned more with what I needed."
Alicia, custody case, Los Angeles County
Real user feedback
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 respond to divorce papers
- Contested and uncontested Responses
- Documents produced instantly as you answer, before your deadline
- Guided declaration builder when your Response needs one
- County-matched instructions from filing to your final order
$79Once, when your documents are ready. Free to start.
Other online services
- Only simple uncontested divorces
- Days, sometimes a week, before your forms come back, cutting into your 30 days
- No declaration writing support
- Just forms, no process guidance
$400 to $2,000Typical published rates. Most turn contested cases away entirely and handle only paperwork for spouses who already agree on everything.
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.
Respond to divorce papers without the $15,000 attorney.
Common questions from respondents
Will the court accept a Response I prepare with Virdix?+
Virdix completes the official Judicial Council forms your court requires, from your answers. If a court clerk rejects a document we prepared for content, completeness, or format reasons, we fix it for free until it's accepted. If we can't produce a version the court will accept, you get your money back.
How long do I have to respond to divorce papers in California?+
You have 30 calendar days from the date you were served with the Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110) to file your Response. The deadline is printed on the Summons itself, and it counts weekends and holidays.
What happens if I do not respond within 30 days?+
Your spouse can ask the court for a default judgment. That means the case can move forward on their terms for property, support, and custody, without your side being heard. Filing a Response protects your right to participate.
What form do I use to respond to a California divorce petition?+
The Response to a divorce petition is form FL-120 (Response, Marriage or Domestic Partnership). If you have children together, you also file FL-105 (Declaration Under UCCJEA). If instead you were served a Request for Order in an existing case, you respond with form FL-320. Filing has a court fee of $435 to $450 depending on the county, and a fee waiver (form FW-001) is available if you cannot afford it.
Do I need a lawyer to respond to divorce papers?+
No. You have the right to represent yourself in a California divorce, and many respondents complete and file the FL-120 on their own. Virdix is not a law firm and does not give legal advice; if your case involves complex property, business interests, or safety concerns, consulting an attorney is a good idea.
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.