When spouses reach a complete divorce or legal-separation agreement, the respondent may be able to make a stipulated appearance and allow the case to proceed as uncontested. This differs from ignoring the case or allowing an ordinary default without participation.

A Stipulated Appearance Brings the Respondent Into the Case

By signing and filing the required appearance and waiver documents, the respondent formally participates in the proceeding. The respondent agrees that the matter may be handled as uncontested based on the parties’ settlement.

A responsive filing fee generally applies unless it has been waived. The appearance should not be signed until the respondent understands the proposed agreement and the rights being affected.

The Agreement Still Requires Court Approval

The spouses cannot enter their own divorce judgment without judicial review. The court must receive the required judgment documents and determine whether the proposed terms may be approved.

Financial-disclosure requirements also remain important. An uncontested case does not authorize the parties to conceal assets, omit debts, or bypass mandatory information exchanges.

A Stipulated Case Differs From a Default

In a traditional default, the respondent does not appear. A stipulated appearance allows the respondent to participate while avoiding a contested trial.

Some couples instead use an agreed default procedure. The procedural choice can affect filing fees, notice, available relief, and the court’s authority if the submitted judgment differs from the written settlement.

The Written Settlement Controls the Submission

The judgment package should accurately reflect the signed agreement. If the court proposes materially different terms, the parties may need to revise the documents or appear for clarification.

A stipulated appearance does not permit either spouse to ignore existing temporary orders. Those orders remain binding until the judgment or another authorized order changes them.

A California divorce attorney can determine whether a stipulated appearance is appropriate, review the settlement for completeness, and prepare an uncontested judgment that matches the parties’ enforceable agreement.