One of the basics of getting divorced in California is knowing what to put on the divorce petition. To end your marriage in California, either you or your ex-spouse/partner will need to file a divorce petition and note on what legal grounds you are making the request. Your options for divorce in California are 1) irreconcilable differences or 2) permanent legal incapacity to make decisions. You do not need cause to file for divorce. You can simply check option 1 to file for a no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences. California is a no-fault divorce state. Irreconcilable differences is California’s way of allowing couples to dissolve their marriages without needing to list a specific cause, such as adultery. Checking the irreconcilable differences box on a divorce petition is all you will need to do to complete your paperwork. You do not need to go into more detail about why you and your spouse/partner are filing for divorce. If you are filing for an annulment, however, you will need to base your request on one of the state’s approved grounds, such as incest or fraud. California’s no-fault rule also means the courts will not take fault into consideration if your case goes to trial. A judge will not look at fault for the irreconcilable differences between you two to determine matters such as property division, for example. Instead, the courts will use a specific calculation method to divide assets and debts down the middle, 50/50, regardless of alleged fault for the divorce.