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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 5Pt. 1Ch. 3§ 1842 Spousal Conciliation Without Children

§ 1842 Spousal Conciliation Without Children

Family Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1842 Spousal Conciliation Without Children

This law says that if a married couple is fighting and wants to separate or divorce, but they don’t have kids, the family court can still try to help them work things out if it won’t slow down cases with kids.

Key Takeaways

  • •The court can help couples without kids work out their problems if it won’t slow down other cases.
  • •The court treats these cases the same way as cases where kids are involved.
  • •The goal is to help couples agree without a big fight.

Example

A married couple wants to divorce but has no kids. They’re arguing over money and property.

The court can step in and try to help them agree on how to split things, just like they would if kids were involved.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1842 Spousal Conciliation Without Children

(a) If an application is made to the family conciliation court for conciliation proceedings in respect to a controversy between spouses, or a contested proceeding for dissolution of marriage, for nullity of a voidable marriage, or for legal separation of the parties, but there is no minor child whose welfare may be affected by the results of the controversy, and it appears to the court that reconciliation of the spouses or amicable adjustment of the controversy can probably be achieved, and that the work of the court in cases involving children will not be seriously impeded by acceptance of the case, the court may accept and dispose of the case in the same manner as similar cases involving the welfare of children are disposed of. (b) If the court accepts the case under subdivision (a), the court has the same jurisdiction over the controversy and the parties to the controversy and those having a relation to the controversy that it has under this part in similar cases involving the welfare of children. (Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

family conciliation courtdissolution of marriagenullity of a voidable marriagelegal separationreconciliationamicable adjustment

Related Statutes

  • § 1841 Family Court Reconciliation Transfer
  • § 1840 Marriage Conciliation Waiting Period
  • § 1830 Family Conciliation Court Jurisdiction
  • § 1831 Pre-Filing Marriage Reconciliation
  • § 1838 Marriage Reconciliation Hearings

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 1842.
View Official Source