California Deadlines
Whichever occurs first — that's the clock.
Three states, three different anchors: Texas runs from filing, Arizona from service — and California's six-month floor runs from service OR the respondent's appearance, whichever comes FIRST. Filing alone starts nothing. The thirty-day response window and the sixty-day disclosure track ride alongside it, and every day-count here re-verifies against the stored statute text before it renders as verified.
Earliest the dissolution judgment can be final
Runtime-verifiedSix months from service of the summons and petition or the respondent's appearance — whichever occurs first · Cal. Fam. Code § 2339
The marriage does not end before six months from the earlier trigger even when everything else is done (§ 2339(a)); the court may extend for good cause (§ 2339(b)). Status can be bifurcated earlier only by § 2337 motion with its conditions.
Respond to the petition
Runtime-verified30 days from service · Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 412.20 via Fam. Code § 210
The summons itself states the 30-day response window (CCP § 412.20(a)(3), applied to family proceedings through FAM § 210). Default becomes possible after it runs — verify any extension in writing.
Serve the preliminary declaration of disclosure
Runtime-verified60 days from your own filing · Cal. Fam. Code § 2104
Each party serves the preliminary declaration of disclosure on the § 2104(f) 60-day track (exceptions: §§ 2107/2110). The FINAL declaration gates the property judgment itself — § 2106, taught wherever judgment appears.
Authority locked — retrieved from the hash-pinned corpus
The floor is a floor, not a promise. Six months is the earliest the marriage can legally end (§ 2339(a)) — the rest of the case controls the real date, the court can extend for good cause (§ 2339(b)), and status can end earlier only by § 2337 bifurcation with its protective conditions. Court holiday calendars are not computed here — weekend rollover only; verify hearing-critical dates with the clerk. Legal information, not legal advice.