OnlyFans Star Lena the Plug's Divorce Filing Sparks Fraud Allegations
Lena the Plug filed for divorce from Adam22 in Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 1, 2026, without an attorney, seeking sole legal and physical custody of their 5-year-old daughter. Days later she told TMZ Live the filing was fraudulent — submitted by a stranger in her name. Under California Family Code, this raises serious questions for the roughly 80% of family law litigants who file without lawyers.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Divorce petition filed, then disputed as fraudulent |
| When | Filed June 1, 2026; fraud claim made days later |
| Where | Los Angeles County Superior Court, California |
| Who's affected | Lena the Plug, Adam22, their 5-year-old daughter |
| Key filing type | Self-represented (pro se) Petition for Dissolution (Form FL-100) |
| Impact | Highlights identity-verification gaps in self-filed California divorces |
The news, first reported by TMZ, unfolded in two acts. First, divorce papers appeared in the L.A. County system on the petitioner's birthday, seeking both legal and physical custody of the couple's young daughter. Adam22 publicly acknowledged the split on Instagram. Then the narrative reversed: the named petitioner stated on camera that she never filed anything and that an unknown third party submitted the paperwork using her identity.
Why This Matters Legally
A fraudulently filed divorce petition is voidable, and California courts will set aside any judgment obtained through fraud under Cal. Fam. Code § 2122. The statute expressly lists actual fraud as grounds to set aside a dissolution judgment, with a one-year window from the date the fraud was or should have been discovered. This is not a gray area — if someone filed without the named party's authorization, the petition has no legal force.
The deeper issue is procedural. California does not require notarization or photo identification to file a Petition for Dissolution (Form FL-100). A filer signs under penalty of perjury, and the court clerk accepts the document without verifying the signer's identity. This system processes hundreds of thousands of dissolutions annually and depends almost entirely on the perjury declaration as its safeguard. When that safeguard is allegedly bypassed, the burden shifts to the named party to prove they never authorized the filing.
Filing a court document in someone else's name is also a crime. Under Cal. Penal Code § 115, knowingly procuring a false instrument to be filed in a public office is a felony, punishable by up to three years in state prison. So a genuine fraudulent-filing scenario is not merely a family law dispute — it triggers potential criminal exposure for whoever submitted the paperwork.
How California Law Handles Self-Represented Divorce Filings
California permits any adult to file for divorce without an attorney, and self-represented litigants account for the majority of family law cases statewide. The process begins with the petitioner filing Form FL-100 and paying a filing fee of $435 to $450 depending on the county, or requesting a fee waiver. The petitioner must then serve the other spouse, who has 30 days to respond under Cal. Fam. Code § 2020.
The signature on Form FL-100 carries weight. By signing, the filer declares under penalty of perjury that the information is true. There is no identity checkpoint at filing — no notary, no ID scan, no biometric verification. This design prioritizes access to justice over fraud prevention, reflecting the reality that requiring notarization for every filing would create barriers for the very low-income litigants the self-help system serves.
When a named petitioner disputes a filing, the remedy is a motion to quash or a motion to set aside under Cal. Fam. Code § 2121. The disputing party files a declaration stating they did not authorize the petition, and the court may demand evidence — handwriting analysis, IP logs from e-filing portals, or testimony. California courts treat custody allegations with particular care; even a contested petition does not automatically grant the custody requested, because custody determinations require a separate best-interest analysis under Cal. Fam. Code § 3011.
It bears repeating that no court will award sole legal and physical custody based solely on an unopposed petition. California Family Code § 3020 establishes a public policy of frequent and continuing contact with both parents, and a custody order requires findings on the child's health, safety, and welfare. A petition is a request, not a ruling.
Practical Takeaways
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If you discover a divorce filed in your name without authorization, immediately file a declaration with the court clerk disputing the petition and request a hearing to set it aside under Cal. Fam. Code § 2121.
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Document the discovery date. The one-year deadline to set aside a fraudulent judgment under Cal. Fam. Code § 2122 runs from when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the fraud.
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Report suspected filing fraud to law enforcement. Submitting a false instrument is a felony under Cal. Penal Code § 115, and a police report strengthens your civil position.
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Preserve evidence. Save emails, e-filing confirmations, and any communications. California e-filing systems log IP addresses and timestamps that can identify an unauthorized filer.
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Do not ignore custody allegations. Even a disputed petition seeking sole custody of your child requires a response within 30 days under Cal. Fam. Code § 2020 to protect your parental rights.
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Consider counsel for high-asset or contested matters. While self-filing is legal, disputes involving custody, business income, or fraud allegations benefit from an attorney who can navigate set-aside procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone file for divorce in my name without my permission in California?
No legitimate divorce can proceed without your authorization. California requires the petitioner to sign Form FL-100 under penalty of perjury, but the court does not verify identity at filing. If a stranger files fraudulently, you can set the petition aside under Cal. Fam. Code § 2122 within one year of discovery.
What happens if a California divorce filing is proven fraudulent?
The court voids the petition and any resulting judgment under Cal. Fam. Code § 2122, which lists actual fraud as grounds for set-aside. The person who filed faces felony charges under Cal. Penal Code § 115, carrying up to three years in state prison for filing a false instrument in a public office.
Does filing for sole custody mean you automatically get it in California?
No. A custody request in a petition is not a court order. California courts must conduct a best-interest analysis under Cal. Fam. Code § 3011, weighing the child's health, safety, and welfare. The state's public policy under § 3020 favors frequent contact with both parents, so no parent receives sole custody automatically.
Do you need a lawyer to file for divorce in California?
No. California allows self-represented (pro se) divorce filings, and the majority of family law litigants file without attorneys. The petitioner files Form FL-100, pays a $435-$450 filing fee, and serves the spouse, who has 30 days to respond under Cal. Fam. Code § 2020.
How long do I have to challenge a fraudulent divorce filing in California?
You have one year from the date you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the fraud, under Cal. Fam. Code § 2122. Acting quickly is critical — file a declaration disputing the petition with the court clerk and request a set-aside hearing as soon as you learn of the unauthorized filing.
Need Help With a California Divorce?
If you are facing a divorce filing in California — authorized or disputed — connecting with a qualified family law attorney can clarify your options. Our directory lists one exclusive attorney per county to help you find local guidance.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.