Alerts for the 46th Edition (2023)
February 16, 2023
Pages 65 and 73 now show updated Low Income Adjustment (LIA) figures
The new LIA amount is $2,056.00 and that is the amount that should be applied to adjust the threshold for the Low Income Adjustment.
What’s new in the 2023 update — available in eBook format only
Revised forms:
January 1, 2023
FL-130 Appearance, Stipulations, and Waivers — to get this updated form, click here
FL-130(A) Military Attachment to FL-130 — to get this updated form, click here
FL-165 Request to Enter Default — to get this updated form, click here
FL-311 Child Custody And Visitation Application Attachment — to get this updated form, click here
FL-341 Child Custody And Visitation Order Attachment — to get this updated form, click here
Alerts for the 45th Edition (2022)
Revised forms:
August 1, 2022
FW-001 Request for Waiver of Court Fees — to get this updated form, click here
FW-001_INFO Fee Waiver Information — to get this updated form, click here
What’s new in the 2022 update — available in eBook format only
New or revised forms:
January 1, 2022
FL-192 Notice of Rights and Responsibilities — to get this updated form, click here
FL-350 Stipulation to Establish or Modify Child Support and Order — to get this updated form, click here
Pages 65 & 73: changed low-income adjustment to $1,915
Pages 171-173: updated FL-350 illustrations for pages 1 and 2 with notes for 3rd page
Pages 206-207: updated directory of divorce professionals
Alerts for the 44th Edition (2021)
September 17, 2021
Updated information on same-sex marriages and domestic partnerships on pages 27 and 34.
September 1, 2021
Revised forms:
FL-195 Order/Notice to Withhold Income for Child Support — to get this updated form, click here
FL-196 Instructions for FL-195 — to get this updated form, click here
FL-800 Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution — to get this updated form, click here
FL-810 Summary Dissolution Information — to get this updated form, click here
Revised form:
FW-001 Request for Waiver of Court Fees — to get this updated form, click here
What’s new in the 2021 update — available in eBook format only
New or revised forms:
FL-115 Proof of Service of Summons — to get this updated form, click here
FL-117 Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt — to get this updated form, click here
FL-130 Appearance, Stipulations, and Waivers — to get this updated form, click here
FL-157 Spousal Support Declaration Attachment — to get this updated form, click here
FL-192 Notice of Rights — to get this updated form, click here
FL-343 Spousal Support Order Attachment — to get this updated form, click here
FL-345 Property Order Attachment — to get this updated form, click here
FL-349 Spousal Support Factors — to get this updated form, click here
FW-001 INFO Fee Waiver Information — to get this updated form, click here
Page 159: Added new form FL-349 to list of Judgment Attachments
Page 173: Added instructions for new form FL-349
Page 184: Added additional information on FL-349
Alerts for the 43rd Edition (2020)
May 30, 2020
Pages 8 and 90 now show new information on how to use the forms and form illustrations when reading the book on small devices.
April 24, 2020
The Federal Child Support Enforcement (CSE) program, which is active in all 50 states, can intercept stimulus checks to offset back child support. For further details, go to https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11322
March 24, 2020
Revised form:
FW-001 Fee Waiver — to get this updated form, click here
Updated income limits for Fee Waiver
Page 97 was updated to show new Fee Waiver information, including this table:
What’s new in the 2020 update — available in eBook format only
New or revised forms:
FL-100 Petition — to get this updated form, click here
FL-120 Response — to get this updated form, click here
FL-170 Declaration for Uncontested Dissolution — to get this updated form, click here
FL-342 Child Support Order Attachment — to get this updated form, click here
FL-350 Stipulation to Establish Child Support — to get this updated form, click here
Links to California Resources
CA Code of Civil Procedure http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codesTOCSelected.xhtml?tocCode=ccp
CA Family Code
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codesTOCSelected.xhtml?tocCode=fam
All CA Codes
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml
CA Court Forms
http://www.courts.ca.gov/formnumber.htm
Superior Court Addresses
http://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm
Forms Updates. This eBook contains forms that can be used with the free Adobe Reader (see below). To check for new and fixed forms updates, click here.
Adobe Reader. The free Adobe Reader, available here, allows you to fill out and print forms. Effective January 1, 2012, all forms are now “enabled,” meaning that you can also save data you enter on the forms when using Adobe Reader version 8 or later. Forms on CDs in earlier editions or downloaded before January 1, 2012 were not enabled to allow saving of data entered when using Adobe Reader.
Alerts for the 42nd Edition (2019)
September 1, 2019
Form FL-800 Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution–updated form
The Judicial Council just released an updated version of this form, effective 09/1/2019. To download this updated form, click here.
Form FL-810 Summary Dissolution Information–updated form
The Judicial Council just released an updated version of this form, effective 09/1/2019. To download this updated form, click here.
Form FW-001-INFO–updated Fee Waiver form
The Judicial Council just released an updated Fee Waiver form, Information on Waiver of Court Fees, effective 09/1/2019. To download this updated form, click here.
Form FW-003–updated Fee Waiver form
The Judicial Council just released an updated Fee Waiver form, Order on Court Fee Waiver, effective 09/1/2019. To download this updated form, click here.
Form FW-005–updated Fee Waiver form
The Judicial Council just released an updated Fee Waiver form, Notice: Waiver of Court Fees, effective 09/1/2019. To download this updated form, click here.
March 15, 2019
Form FW-001–new Fee Waiver form
The Judicial Council just released a new Fee Waiver form, effective 03/15/2019. To download this updated form, click here.
Updated version of eBook
Page 97 was updated to show new Fee Waiver information, including this table:
March 6, 2019
Form FL-100–Petition
The instructions on page 106 say to type in the names at the top of the form, but we just discovered that although the rest of the form is fillable, the headers at the top of pages 2 and 3 are not. As per the instructions on page 91, since you can’t fill in those fields by typing, you can do it by hand after filling in the rest of the form and printing it. We have reported this problem to the Judicial Council, and will post a fixed version of the form here when it becomes available.
March 1, 2019
Pages 65 & 73 — Low income adjustment, Family Code 4055
The low income adjustment threshold was set at $1,755 per month, to be adjusted annually based on the CA Consumer Price Index. Adjustments have tended to come in March of each year.
What’s new in the 2018 update (available in eBook only)
PLEASE NOTE: The 2017 update of this book can be used through 2018 in conjunction with the updates listed below. The paperback book is now out-of-print, but the 2018 update is available in eBook format only.
Forms FL-195 and FL-196 have been updated
Revised Low Income Adjustment info on page 65
Alerts for the 40th Edition (2017)
January 1, 2018
One revised form with instructions. Do not use older versions! Plus new Low income adjustment, Family Code 4055, and new legislation, SB-469. Also, athough the Demo for DealMaker Settlement Agreement Software on the Bonus CD for the 40th Edition is still current, there will be a 2018 update for CalSupport Child and Spousal Support Calculation Software coming out around mid-January 2018.
FL-195 INCOME WITHHOLDING FOR SUPPORT. Click here to download.
FL-196 Instructions for FL-195. Click here to download.
Pages 77 & 86 – Low income adjustment, Family Code 4055
The low income adjustment threshold was set at $1,500 per month, to be adjusted annually based on the CA Consumer Price Index. In 2017, this amount was $1,644. Adjustments have tended to come in March of each year.
New legislation, SB-469
The date set for automatic repeal of this law, January 1, 2018, is extended to January 1, 2021.
For links to CA Code of Civil Procedure, CA Family Code, All CA Codes, CA Court Forms, and CA Superior Court Addresses, click here.
December 27, 2017
The sample settlement agreement on the CD that comes with the book has been updated with some language required by the court in cases with children. To download the latest version of the sample agreement template, click here.
September 1, 2017
New fee waiver form: The Judicial Council released a new fee waiver form, FW-008. Download these forms here.
July 1, 2017
New Summary Dissolution forms: The Judicial Council just released new versions of FL-800 Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution, and FL-810 Summary Dissolution Information.
March 1, 2017
New Fee Waiver form: The Judicial Council just released a new version of FW-001 effective March 1 with updated Fee Waiver figures.
February 6, 2017
Low Income Adjustment (LIA): The new Low Income Adjustment figure has been updated (eBook only) from $1500 to $1644. We received the new LIA figure after the print book was sent to press, but have updated the figures on pages 65 and 73 of the eBook. The LIA amount is used when calculating child support, and has also been updated in our CalSupport software.
New 40th Edition for 2017 — What’s New
New printing, new CD, new eBook, 6 new or revised forms
Do not use older versions! The companion CD for the 40th Edition contains the latest Judicial Council forms for use on your computer.
Six new or revised forms and instructions:
FL-100 Petition
FL-120 Response
FL-160 Property Declaration
FL-342 Child Support Information and Order Attachment
FL-350 Stipulation to Establish or Modify Child Support and Order
MC-120 Confidential Reference List of Identifiers
Page 45 – Date of Separation — Major change: Legislation reversed a court case that made it impossible for a couple to be separated while living under the same roof. Now, going back to the law as it was before the Davis case last year, considering all relevant information, a court can determine that the couple were sufficiently separated even though under the same roof. A list of factors to be considered in establishing date of separation has also been added
Page 114 – Fee waiver — The fee waiver income figures have been updated in the inset box
Pages 122, 124 & 127 — New illustrations for form FL-100 Petition
Pages 135, 136 & 139 — New illustrations for form FL-120 Response
Pages 200 & 201 — New illustrations for form FL-350
Alerts for the 39th Edition (2016)
July 1, 2016
New forms: The FL-100 Petition, FL-120 Response, and FL-160 Property Declaration forms have all been revised as of July 1, 2016. To download these forms, click here.
March 1, 2016
New Fee Waiver form: The Judicial Council released a new version of FW-001 effective March 1 with updated Fee Waiver figures.
New 39th Edition for 2016 — What’s New
New printing, new CD, new eBook, 11 new or revised forms
Do not use older versions! The companion CD for the 39th Edition contains the latest Judicial Council forms for use on your computer. The eBook also includes all the current forms.
Eleven new or revised forms and instructions:
FL-800 and FL-810
Domestic Partnership: All (four) updated forms.
Fee Waiver forms:
FW-.001 Request to Waive Court Fees
FW-001 INFO Fee Waver Information
FW-002 Request to Waive Additional Fees
FW-003 Order for Fee Waiver
FW-005 Notice of Fee Waiver
Publication of Summons: Revised instructions for cases where Respondent was served by publication or posting and the case is completed by default.
Lost Summons: Revised instructions.
Request for Dismissal: Revised instructions.
To download these forms, click here
Page numbers below refer to the printed edition.
Page 43 – Date of Separation — A very big change! Supreme Court in Marriage of Davis held that Family Code §771(a) requires that spouses must be “living in separate residences in order for their earnings and accumulations to be their separate property.” While other factors still apply, at the very minimum, spouses cannot be living under the same roof and claim to be separated.
Page 110, Figure 7.2 – In the short caption, parties names are always entered last name, first name, unless a form specifies a different order.
Page 114 – Updated family income figures for Fee Waiver.
Page 162 – 6. If service was ordered by publication or posting and you proceed by default, the requirements for serving preliminary disclosure documents no longer apply, per Senate Bill 340 amending Family Code 2110 on July 2, 2015.
Page 174 – Correct instructions for filling out FL160. Row 18: Enter the totals for columns C-F. Row 26: Enter totals for columns C and D.
Numerous pages throughout book – References to Book 2, Solve Divorce Problems: Heavily revised edition, now has a new title How to Manage a Contested Divorce in California with two new co-authors.
Alerts for the 38th Edition (2015)
February 10, 2016
Pages 77 and 86: The low income adjustment threshold is now $1,607. If the net monthly disposable income of a payer of support is below this amount, a judge can reduce child support, but by no more than the percentage by which the payer’s net monthly disposable income is less than $1,607.
September 4, 2015
Page 45, Date of Separation requires spouses to be living in separate residences. In July 2015, the CA Supreme Court decided that Family Code section 771(a) requires spouses to be living in separate residences in order for their earnings and accumulations to be their separate property. This does not work in reverse; that is, the couple can be living in separate residences and still not be separated if it appears that neither spouse has yet intended to make a complete and final break, for example, if they are discussing counseling or still had hopes for reconciliation.
July 1, 2015
New Fee Waiver forms: FW-002 Request to Waive Additional Fees, FW-003 Order for Fee Waiver, FW-005 Notice of Fee Waiver. Effective July 1, 2015. To download these forms, click here.
New Summary Dissolution forms: FL-800 Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution, FL-810 Summary Dissolution Information, FL-830 Notice of Revocation of Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution. Effective July 1, 2015. To download these forms, click here.
March 2, 2015
Revised form FW-001 Request Fee Waiver. Effective March 1, 2015. Do not use the older version as it is now incorrect and will not be accepted. To download the new form, click here.
New 38th Edition for 2015 — What’s New
New printing, new CD, new eBook, 11 new or revised forms
Do not use older versions! The companion CD for the 38th Edition contains the latest Judicial Council forms for use on your computer. The eBook also includes all the current forms.
Eleven new or revised forms and instructions:
FL-100, 107, 110, 115, 117, 120, 192, 195, 196, CIV-110, FW-001
To download these forms, click here
New address for Nolo Press Occidental
Our new address is 2604 El Camino Real, Suite 353B • Carlsbad, CA 92008
Page numbers below refer to the printed edition.
Page 41 – Time to process paperwork. New language about backed up courts with a link to a free report on how private judging can reduce the time to get your Judgment.
Page 84 – Attaching Social Security for support payments.
Page 101 – Edited paragraph on private judges with emphasis on the advantage of privacy as well as speed. Added a link to our free report on private judging.
Page 114 – Updated the Fee Waiver amounts in table.
Pages 120 – New FL-110 Summons
Page 122 – FL-100 (3 pages) is now used for both marriage and DP cases.
FL-103 has been revoked.
Pages 121-129 – Edited notes for filling out Petition to suit the new form.
Page 133 – FL-120 now used for both married and DP cases.
FL-123 has been revoked.
Pages 135, 136 – New FL-120 Response
Pages 134-140 – Edit notes for filling out Response to suit the new form.
Page 141 – Item 4, publication of Summons. Now describes Publishing or Posting the Summons.
Page 144 – Item 12.2, 2nd bullet, you must serve a file-stamped Petition
Pages 155, 156 – New FL-115 POS Summons
Page 157 – New FL-117 Notice & Acknowledgment
Page 166 – Serving disclosure docs when Summons was published
Pages 208-9 – New FL-195. New instructions.
Page 212 – Par. 4. New text re: getting a faster divorce, think about setting a hearing.
Alerts for the 37th Edition (2014)
February 20, 2014
Revised form FW-001 Request Fee Waiver. Effective Feb. 20, 2014. Do not use the older version as it is now incorrect and will not be accepted. To download the new form, click here.
Page 114—New Fee Waiver Income Limits.
New 37th Edition for 2014 — What’s New
New printing, new CD, 9 new or revised forms
Nine new or revised forms. Do not use older versions! The companion CD for the 37th Edition contains the latest Judicial Council forms for use on your computer.
FL-110 Summons. To download this form, click here.
Termination of Domestic Partnership. To download (102 Kb), click here.
Seven revised forms.
To download these revised forms, see Alert notes below for February and July 2013.
Page numbers below refer to the printed edition.
Pages 16 and 40—Filing fee. The fee for filing a Petition or Response is now $435. Check with your Clerk to verify and see if there are any additional local fees tacked on.
Page 65—Custody. Parent, guardian or relative cannot be disqualified from having custody based on immigration status.
Page 79—Spousal support. Family Code 4320(i). Factors that must be considered in ordering spousal support now include documented history of violence or abuse between the spouses or of either spouse against a child of either spouse.
Pages 107 and 109—Recycled paper. You are no longer required to use recycled paper for forms and documents in your case.
Pages 120, 153, 160, 167, 171 and 172—New Illustrations for how to fill out revised forms.
Page 216—Disclosure. When you go to the hearing, if you have not already filed FL-141 declaring that you served Respondent with the required disclosure documents (chapter 14), bring the completed form with you to the hearing.
Alerts for the 36th Edition (2013)
July 1, 2013
Six Revised Forms. Effective July 1, 2013. Do not use the older versions as they are now incorrect and will not be accepted.
FL-107 Legal Steps for a Divorce or Legal Separation
FL-117 Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt of Summons
FL-140 Declaration of Disclosure
FL-141 Declaration Re: Service of Declaration of Disclosure and I&E Form
FL-160 Property Declaration
FL-161 Continuation of Property Declaration
To download the new forms, click here.
Chapter 22—Summary Dissolution–Two Revised Forms. Effective July 1, 2013. Do not use the older versions as they are now incorrect and will not be accepted.
FL-800 Joint Petition for Summary Dissolution
FL-810 Summary Dissolution Information
To download the new forms, click here.
Summary Disso: Preliminary Disclosure requirements have been beefed up effective July 1. Before an agreement is signed or divorce is completed, each party must give the other copies of an Income and Expense form (FL-150), a Declaration of Disclosure (FL-140), and either (A) a Schedule of Assets and Debts (FL-142) or a Property Declaration form (FL-160) with all attachments; OR (B) the completed worksheet pages in the Booklet (FL-810), AND a written statement of all investment, business or other income-producing opportunities that came up after separation that were based on investments made or work done during the marriage, AND all tax returns filed in the two previous years.
February 26, 2013
Revised form FW-001 Request Fee Waiver. Effective Feb. 26, 2013. Do not use the older version as it is now incorrect and will not be accepted. To download the new form, click here.
Page 114—New Fee Waiver Income Limits.
New 36th Edition for 2013 — What’s New
New printing, new CD, 5 new or revised forms
Five new or revised forms. Do not use older versions! The companion CD for the 36th Edition contains the latest Judicial Council forms for use on your computer.
Publication of Summons. FL-103 and FL-123. To download these new forms (54 Kb), click here.
Dissolution of Domestic Partnership. FL-980 and FL-982. To download these new forms (603 Kb), click here.
Change of Contact Information. MC-040. To download this new form (141 Kb), click here.
Page numbers below refer to the printed edition.
Page 35—Automatic restraining orders. A new order was added to the list. Pending judgment, parents cannot apply for a new or replacement passport for a child.
Page 40—How long will it take?. Due to budget cuts, things are slower than ever now. Explains the option of hiring a private judge for faster service and special attention.
Pages 77 and 86—Child support. The low income adjustment threshold was raised to $1,500 per month effective Jan. 1, 2013. This amount will be adjusted according to the Consumer Price Index on March 1, 2013 and annually thereafter.
Page 80—Spousal support. The recipient is expected to make reasonable efforts to become self-supporting. Failure to do so can be considered in a motion for modification.
Page 108—Captions. If you have them, your fax address and your email address must be included in the caption.
Page 109—Contact Info. If any of your contact information changes, you must serve notice on the other side using MC-040.
Page 114—Filing Fees. Filing either the Petition or Response now costs $435 in most counties. A couple have bumped it to $450. Call your Court Clerk’s Office to verify the exact amount.
Page 117—Checklist. Recommend that you also use FL-107 and FL-182. These are forms that will help you organize and correctly complete your paperwork.
Page 127—Case Management. Explains the new Family Centered Case Resolution procedure and the time line for moving your case forward.
Page 151—Proof of Service of Summons. New form FL-115, instructions and illustrations.
Page 157—Time for Serving Preliminary Disclosure. Must be served on the other side within 60 days after Petition filed. Same for the Response.
Page 183—Judgment. Major revisions to this chapter. How to add further orders to your Judgment. New language for a Stipulated Judgment. Revised instructions for including your settlement agreement and Further Orders in your Judgment. New form FL-180, instructions and illustrations.
Page 209—Chapter 20. Major revisions to this chapter on How to Get Your Judgment. New instructions and illustrations for form FL-170.
Page 216—Declaration of Compliance. Removed as there are now better options on FL-170.
Alerts for the 35th Edition (2012)
July 1, 2012
Seven New or Revised Forms. Effective July 1, 2012. Do not use older version as they are incorrect and will not be accepted. FL-107 and FL-182 are very informative and useful, so you should take a look at them. Their use in court is optional for each county.
FL-107-INFO Legal Steps for a Divorce
FL-115 Proof of Service of Summons
FL-170 Declaration for Uncontested Dissolution
FL-180 Judgment
FL-182 Judgment Checklist
FL-342 Child Support Order Attachment
FL-343 Spousal Support Order Attachment
To download the new forms (1.3 Mb), click here.
February 29, 2012
New FL-107—Legal Steps for a Divorce. This is very useful! A flow chart diagram showing the steps you take to get your judgment with a list of local resources to help you get there. To download the new form, click here.
February 15, 2012
Revised form FW-001 Request Fee Waiver. Effective Feb. 15, 2012. Do not use the older version as it is now incorrect and will not be accepted. To download the new form, click here.
Page 114—New Fee Waiver Income Limits.
New 35th Edition for 2012 — What’s New
New printing, new CD, 19 new or revised forms
ALL NEW FORMS ON CD
While 19 forms are new or revised, on January 1, 2012, every form was “enabled,” meaning that you can now save all data entered on the forms with the free Adobe Reader. All forms on the 2012 companion CD are the new, enabled versions.
Nineteen new or revised forms. Do not use older versions!
To download these 19 forms (3.7 Mb), click here.
Substantive changes. Page numbers refer to the print edition.
Page 40—How Long? Due to budget cuts, we can expect that it might now take longer for courts to process paperwork. Some counties are more affected than others. If it is important to you, call your Superior Court Clerk’s Office and ask how long it takes them to process papers.
Page 62—New FL-313 and FL-314. New Child Custody Information forms to provide information to parents in cases where custody or visitation is an issue. They are identical, except that one form recommends mediation and the other recommends counseling. Note. It is entirely up to each county to decide whether or not to require you to use one form or the other or neither, and how they intend for it to be used. Check local rules or call the court Clerk’s office.
Page 106—Use of forms on CD. No computer? No problem! Use a friend’s computer or go to an internet cafe. Many public libraries have computers for public use. As a last resort, just print the forms in blank and fill them out by hand or with a typewriter, as described in the following section.
Page 114—Fee Waiver, new income table. Updated the income eligibility table. See revised form FW-001.
Page 115—Local Rules. Local rules for every county can be found at www.courts.ca.gov/3027.htm
Page 166—New FL-141. Added instructions for the new item 4 on revised FL-141 Declaration re Service of Declaration of Disclosure.
Page 183—FL-180 Judgment. After July 1, 2012, watch our Alerts page for a new version of FL-180. Also watch for a new form, FL-182 Judgment Checklist, which will not be required but may be helpful.
Page 214—Revised FL-170 Declaration for Default Dissolution. After July 1, 2012, watch for a revised version of this form. The new form will require FL-157 in cases where spousal support is being requested.
Page 239—New or Revised forms expected. After July 1, 2012, watch our Alerts page for new or revised forms:
FL-103 Petition (Domestic Partners)
FL-123 Response (Domestic Partners)
FL-170 Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution
FL-180 Judgment
FL-182 Judgment Checklist
FL-341 Child Custody and Visitation Order Attachment
FL-343 Spousal Support Order Attachment