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Law Offices of Kimberly Prendergast Law Offices of Kimberly Prendergast
San Bernardino Divorce & Family Law let the law offices of kimberly prendergast assist you with your family law needs. contact us



Uncontested Divorce Attorney in Redlands

Certified Family Law Guidance for Couples Who Agree on All Terms

When both spouses are aligned on property, debt, support, and custody, the law offers a clearer path forward. An uncontested divorce resolves without a trial because both parties have reached agreement on every major issue. That simplicity is real, but it doesn’t mean the process is self-executing. Accurate paperwork, complete financial disclosures, and an enforceable settlement agreement are what actually protect you once the judgment is entered.

Law Offices of Kimberly Prendergast handles uncontested divorce for clients in Redlands and throughout San Bernardino County. Kimberly Prendergast is a certified family law specialist through the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization, and has practiced in family law since her bar admission in December 2009. As a boutique firm, we give each client direct, individualized attention and a strategy built around their specific circumstances.

If you’re considering an uncontested divorce in Redlands, call us at (909) 324-2950 to schedule a consultation and discuss which path fits your situation.

Three Pathways to Uncontested Divorce in California

California law provides three procedural options for couples who agree on all divorce terms. Which one applies depends on the length of the marriage, the assets involved, and whether children are part of the picture.

Summary Dissolution

This streamlined option is available when the marriage lasted fewer than five years from the marriage date to the date of separation, neither spouse has minor children together, neither owns real property, combined marital debt is under $7,000 (excluding car loans), combined community property is worth less than $57,000 (excluding vehicles), and each spouse’s separate property is worth less than $57,000. Both parties must also permanently waive spousal support as a condition of eligibility. That waiver is irrevocable.

Joint Petition for Dissolution

Created by Senate Bill 1427, effective January 1, 2026, this option is available to any couple who agrees on all divorce terms regardless of marriage length, asset level, or whether children are involved. Both spouses file together, which removes the petition-and-response structure of a traditional filing.

Regular Uncontested Dissolution

For couples who agree on all terms but don’t qualify for or choose the other pathways, one spouse files a petition, the other responds or defaults, and the court approves a written marital settlement agreement without a trial. This path works at any asset level and with or without children.

Every California divorce, regardless of pathway, carries a mandatory six-month waiting period from the date the petition is served or the joint petition is filed. No pathway shortens that clock. One spouse must also have lived in California for at least six months and in San Bernardino County for at least three months before filing. California is a no-fault state: irreconcilable differences is the standard ground for all dissolutions.

Why an Uncontested Divorce Still Requires Careful Legal Review

Agreement between spouses is the starting point, not the finish line. The documents filed with the San Bernardino County Superior Court Family Law Division must be accurate, complete, and court-compliant. A settlement agreement that is vague on debt allocation or property division can create enforcement problems years after the judgment is entered. Choosing the wrong procedural pathway, such as attempting summary dissolution when a spouse doesn’t meet every eligibility requirement, can delay the case or require starting over.

Kimberly Prendergast’s background as a former journalist at the Daily Press in Victorville, The San Bernardino Sun, and The Press-Enterprise in Riverside shaped the attention to detail she brings to every agreement, financial disclosure, and court filing. She is also a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, the San Bernardino County Bar Association, and the Riverside County Bar Association. We don’t apply a standardized approach: we review each client’s situation, confirm pathway eligibility, and flag issues before they become problems at the courthouse.

What to Expect When Working with Our Firm

A typical engagement begins with an initial consultation to assess eligibility and identify the right pathway. From there, we handle preparation of the required financial disclosures, which include an income and expense declaration and a schedule of assets and debts. Both spouses must complete these regardless of which pathway is used.

We draft or review the marital settlement agreement, which must address all community property assets and debts, spousal support or a waiver of it, and where children are involved, custody, visitation, and child support arrangements. We prepare the court forms for filing with the San Bernardino County Superior Court Family Law Division and monitor the case through final judgment. Even when a divorce is amicable, it carries real weight for everyone involved, and we handle every matter with the care that reflects that.

Filing in San Bernardino County as a Redlands Resident

Redlands residents file divorce cases with the San Bernardino County Superior Court, Family Law Division. The San Bernardino District courthouse handles filings for Redlands, and the correct filing location within the county depends on where the filing spouse resides. Kimberly Prendergast has practiced family law in the Inland Empire since December 2009, working directly within San Bernardino County family law proceedings throughout her career. Law Offices of Kimberly Prendergast serves clients throughout San Bernardino County, Riverside County, Orange County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego County.

Schedule a Consultation with an Uncontested Divorce Lawyer in Redlands

If you and your spouse have reached agreement and want to understand your options, we can help you identify the right pathway and discuss next steps. Call Law Offices of Kimberly Prendergast at (909) 324-2950 or reach us through our online contact form to schedule your consultation.

  • “I didn't think I would get so flustered in court, but I'm glad we had the support of Ms Prendergast to help guide us along. We won our restraining order and we are so thankful for her help, professionalism, and guidance. I highly recommend.” - Former Client
  • “Kim and her staff handled the situation with sensitivity, empathy and caution, reaching out to other attorneys and researching law enforcement advisement when necessary. She was always available to me, and even though the bills added up, I feel she worked” - Former Client
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Property Division & Spousal Support in Redlands Uncontested Divorces

The two issues that most often shape an uncontested divorce agreement are how community property is divided and what happens with spousal support. Getting both right in writing matters more than most couples realize at the outset.

Community Property Division

California is a community property state. Assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally between spouses, though both parties may agree to a different allocation in their settlement agreement. Separate property, meaning assets owned before the marriage or received during it as a gift or inheritance, isn’t subject to division and stays with the original owner.

In an uncontested divorce, both spouses must agree on how every community property asset and debt is handled: real estate, bank accounts, retirement accounts, vehicles, and outstanding debts all need to be addressed. Retirement accounts often require a qualified domestic relations order (a QDRO, which is a court order directing the plan administrator to divide the account) to accomplish the division without triggering tax penalties. Law Offices of Kimberly Prendergast assists clients with property division as part of uncontested divorce representation.

Spousal Support

In an uncontested California divorce, spousal support is determined by mutual agreement. Spouses may agree to a specific amount and duration, waive support entirely, or reserve the court’s jurisdiction to address support later. Each choice carries different long-term consequences, and the settlement agreement must state the terms clearly to avoid enforcement disputes down the road.

One significant exception applies in summary dissolution: both parties must permanently waive spousal support as a condition of eligibility. That waiver can’t be modified after the fact, making it an irrevocable decision that deserves careful consideration before choosing that pathway. A marital settlement agreement that fully addresses all community property and support issues can reduce the likelihood of future disputes, and that’s exactly the kind of review we provide.

Your Family Matters To Us, Call today

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