California Divorce Forms Explained: FL-100, FL-110, FL-120

California divorce involves a series of Judicial Council forms — standardized documents used in every county across the state. The form numbers all start with "FL" (Family Law). Here's what each one does and when you need it.

The Three Core Forms

FL-100: Petition — Marriage/Domestic Partnership

This is the form that starts your divorce. The petitioner (person filing) submits it to the court. It includes:

• Names and addresses of both spouses
• Date of marriage and date of separation
• Whether you have minor children
• Grounds for divorce (in California, this is almost always "irreconcilable differences")
• What you're requesting — property division, custody, support, etc.

The FL-100 does not need to include a detailed settlement plan. It simply tells the court what you're asking for in general terms.

Common mistakes: Listing the wrong date of separation (this affects property division), forgetting to check boxes for spousal support requests (you can't add them later without your spouse's consent), and using an incorrect address.

FL-110: Summons (Family Law)

The Summons is filed alongside the Petition. It notifies your spouse that a divorce case has been filed and includes standard restraining orders that automatically take effect, including:

• Neither spouse may take minor children out of state without written consent or a court order
• Neither spouse may transfer, sell, or borrow against property (except in the normal course of business or for necessities of life)
• Neither spouse may change insurance beneficiaries

These automatic temporary restraining orders (ATROs) remain in effect until the divorce is finalized or the court orders otherwise. Violating them can result in sanctions or contempt of court.

FL-120: Response — Marriage/Domestic Partnership

This is the respondent's (other spouse's) form. After being served with the Petition and Summons, the respondent has 30 days to file a Response. The FL-120 mirrors the Petition — it asks the same questions and lets the respondent state whether they agree or disagree with what the petitioner is requesting.

• If the respondent agrees with everything, the divorce proceeds as uncontested
• If the respondent disagrees, the disputed issues will need to be resolved through negotiation, mediation, or court hearings
• If the respondent doesn't file a response within 30 days, the petitioner can request a default judgment

The filing fee for the Response is $435. Fee waivers are available — see our divorce cost guide for details.

When You Need Each Form: A Timeline

Understanding when each form is filed helps you see the big picture of how long your divorce will take:

| Phase | Forms | Who Files | |-------|-------|-----------| | Filing | FL-100 (Petition), FL-110 (Summons), FL-105 (if children) | Petitioner | | Service | FL-115 (Proof of Service) or FL-117 (Acknowledgment) | Third party / Respondent | | Response | FL-120 (Response), FL-105 (if children) | Respondent | | Disclosures | FL-140, FL-142, FL-150, FL-141 | Both spouses | | Judgment | FL-180 (Judgment), FL-190 (Notice of Entry) | Petitioner / Court |

Service and Proof of Service Forms

FL-115: Proof of Service of Summons

After your spouse has been served with the Petition and Summons, the person who served them fills out this form to confirm service was completed. It documents:

• Who was served
• When and where service occurred
• How they were served (personal delivery, substituted service, etc.)

FL-117: Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt

An alternative to formal service. If your spouse is willing to cooperate, you can mail them the divorce papers, and they sign the FL-117 to acknowledge they received them. This avoids the need for a process server and saves $50–$150.

Important: Your spouse is not required to sign this form. If they refuse, you'll need to arrange formal service.

Financial Disclosure Forms

California law requires both spouses to fully disclose their financial situation, regardless of whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. For a detailed walkthrough of the disclosure process, see our financial disclosures guide.

FL-140: Declaration of Disclosure

A cover sheet that accompanies your financial disclosures. Both spouses must serve (not file with the court) their preliminary disclosures on the other spouse. The FL-140 itself is straightforward — it's essentially a checklist confirming you're serving the required documents.

FL-142: Schedule of Assets and Debts

Lists all assets and debts — both community (shared) and separate property. This includes bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, retirement accounts, credit cards, loans, and any other property or obligations.

This is one of the most important forms in your divorce because it establishes what's being divided. Omitting an asset (even accidentally) can create legal problems later. See our FL-142 deep-dive guide for a category-by-category walkthrough.

Common mistakes:

• Forgetting to list all bank accounts (including ones with small balances)
• Not classifying assets as community or separate property
• Omitting debts like student loans or medical bills
• Using outdated account balances

FL-150: Income and Expense Declaration

Details your income, monthly expenses, and financial obligations. This form is used to determine child support and spousal support. It requires information about:

• Employment income (attach recent pay stubs)
• Other income sources (rental income, dividends, freelance work)
• Monthly living expenses
• Existing support obligations

This is widely considered the hardest form in a California divorce. Math errors, missing attachments, and inconsistent figures are the most common reasons courts reject divorce paperwork. See our FL-150 guide: 10 common mistakes for a section-by-section walkthrough.

FL-141: Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure

Filed with the court to confirm that you served your financial disclosures on your spouse. Unlike the disclosures themselves, this form is filed with the court.

This small form is the most commonly forgotten form in California divorce — and forgetting it will stall your case. The court cannot enter your judgment without it.

Both spouses must file their own FL-141. This is a frequent point of confusion — many people assume only the petitioner needs to file it.

Judgment Forms

FL-180: Judgment

The final form — this is the document the judge signs to make your divorce official. It references your settlement agreement and orders the terms of your divorce. The judgment packet typically includes:

• The FL-180 itself
• Your Marital Settlement Agreement (if applicable)
• A child custody and visitation order (if you have children)
• A child support order (if applicable)

Common mistakes: The most frequent reason judgment packets are rejected is inconsistency between the Marital Settlement Agreement and the FL-180. Every term in the agreement must be accurately reflected on the judgment form.

FL-190: Notice of Entry of Judgment

The court clerk sends this to both spouses after the judge signs the Judgment. It confirms the date your divorce is final. Keep this document — you'll need it to:

• Update your marital status with the Social Security Administration
• Change your name (if applicable)
• Refinance a mortgage or retitle property
• Update your will and estate documents

Other Forms You May Need

| Form | Name | When You Need It | |------|------|-----------------| | FL-105 | Declaration Under UCCJEA | If you have minor children | | FL-160 | Property Declaration | For complex property divisions at trial | | FL-165 | Request to Enter Default | If your spouse doesn't respond | | FL-170 | Declaration for Default | To submit with default judgment | | FL-300 | Request for Order | To request temporary court orders | | FL-311 | Child Custody Information Sheet | If custody is at issue | | FW-001 | Fee Waiver Request | If you can't afford the filing fee |

Common Form Mistakes That Delay Your Divorce

Based on the most frequent court rejections, these errors cause the most delays:

1. Missing signatures or dates. Every form that requires a signature must be signed and dated. Courts will reject an entire packet for a single missing signature.

2. Inconsistent information across forms. If the date of separation on your FL-100 doesn't match your FL-180, the court will send everything back. Cross-check all dates, names, and financial figures across every form.

3. Forgetting the FL-141. Both spouses must file this form confirming they served their financial disclosures. It's small and easy to forget, but the court can't enter your judgment without it.

4. Math errors on FL-150. Income, expense, and tax figures must add up correctly. Courts check the arithmetic.

5. Missing attachments. The FL-150 requires recent pay stubs. The FL-142 should include supporting documentation for major assets. If these are missing, your packet will be returned.

6. Using outdated form versions. California Judicial Council updates form versions periodically. Always download the current version from courts.ca.gov or use a service like MutualFile that automatically uses the latest versions.

Filing Your Forms

You file your forms with the Superior Court in your county. Most California counties accept electronic filing (e-filing), which is faster and more convenient than filing in person or by mail. Find your county court information for specific filing procedures.

The court filing fee is $435 statewide. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify — see our cost guide for eligibility details.

How MutualFile Handles Your Forms

Rather than figuring out which forms you need and filling them out manually, MutualFile generates the correct forms for your situation based on a guided interview. We check for errors before filing and e-file directly with the court.

MutualFile automatically:

• Selects the right forms based on your answers (children, property, support)
• Pre-fills consistent information across all forms
• Validates math on financial forms
• Uses the latest Judicial Council form versions
• E-files directly with your county's Superior Court

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Form requirements may change — verify current forms at courts.ca.gov. If you have questions about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.