California Introduces a New, More Collaborative Way to File for Divorce
As of January 1, 2026, California law allows spouses to file for divorce or legal separation jointly—a significant shift in how dissolutions can begin.
Why this is important: Traditionally, one spouse files against the other, immediately setting an adversarial tone. Under this new legislation, couples who are aligned in their intention to separate can now start the process side-by-side, signaling cooperation from day one.
This change was created specifically to support collaborative and consensual divorce, where the focus is on problem-solving, transparency, and minimizing unnecessary conflict.
Ann Grant sits down for a conversation with the two attorneys instrumental in shaping this legislation: Jeffery S. Jacobson and Jennifer Winestone.
Jeffery S. Jacobson, CFLS has practiced family law since 1996 and is a Certified Family Law Specialist whose work focuses exclusively on mediation and collaborative divorce. He is a long-time leader in California’s collaborative law movement, a Los Angeles Magazine Super Lawyer for over a decade, and a recipient of the Eureka Award for his contributions to collaborative practice statewide.
Jennifer Winestone, Esq., LLM (ADR) is the founder of Winestone Mediation and a nationally respected leader in dispute resolution. She holds an advanced degree in dispute resolution from Pepperdine’s Straus Institute, teaches family mediation at USC Law School, and was recently honored with the 2025 Eureka Award for her role in creating the joint petition process through Senate Bill 1427.
Our conversation offers rare insight into why this law was created, how it’s intended to be used, and what it means for families moving forward.
Connect with Jeffery S. Jacobson, CFLS
► Website: https://jjfamilylaw.com
► Email: jeff@jjfamilylaw.com
Connect with Jennifer Winestone, Esq., LLM (ADR)
► Website: https://www.winestonemediation.com
► Email: jennifer@winestonemediation.com
Disclaimer: All content in this video is for educational purposes only. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as constituting legal advice or the provision of legal services for or on behalf of any person.
