California’s FL-300 Form: Request for Order

In California family law, the FL-300 form is a crucial step in a number of family court matters, including child custody arrangements, division of shared property, and spousal support. If you practice family law in the state, there is a 100% chance you will encounter California’s Request for Order form. 

Luckily, Form FL-300 for California is pretty straightforward, but you do need to take care when filing as there are auxiliary forms that sometimes need to be filed concurrently. Keep reading for line-by-line instructions on how to fill out FL-300, links to all the forms you need on the California Courts website, and how to respond if you were served an FL-300.

FL-300: What is it?

Form FL-300 requests a court date to ask a judge to make a decision about a family law matter, or to change an existing order in a family law case. The FL-300 form is the immediate next step in divorce and parentage cases after initial papers are filed. You can use this form to initiate or request amendments to decisions on child support, spousal support, child custody, parent visitation, property control, and attorney’s fees. 

What information is required when completing California’s Form FL-300?

Gather the following information before starting the FL-300:

• Your legal practice information. The firm name, full address, contact information, and state bar number.
• Client’s name.
• Respondent’s name.

• Other parents or parties in the case. This is optional and may be a grandparent, a child support agency, or a lawyer representing a child in the case.
• Legal request(s). Child Custody, Child Support, Visitation, Property Control, Spousal or Partner Support, Attorney’s Fees and Costs, or something else. You can request more than one type of order using the same FL-300, so a judge can decide on multiple orders at once.
• Active restraining orders, if applicable. The parties involved, the court(s) that issued the order(s), and the case number(s), if possible.
• Children’s names and dates of birth. If you’re filing the FL-300 form for a child custody or child support matter.
• Justification for the request. 
• Additional forms, if needed. For example, some child custody requests may require more detailed forms, like FL-341D, which lays out additional parameters for physical custody arrangements. Not all custody requests require this form, but we’ll go over when one might be needed in the “How to fill out form FL-300” section.
• Applicant’s signature.

What is form FL-300 used for?

There are many instances when you’ll need to file form FL-300, or Request for Order, in California. You file this form to request:

• Physical and/or legal custody of children
• Child support
• Spousal or partner support 
• Control of shared property 
• Payment(s) on debts or liens of a shared property 
• Payment for attorney’s fees or costs relating to a family law matter
• Changes to any of the above requests, including temporary, emergency changes
• Changes to orders that are still in effect after a Restraining Order After Hearing (Form DV-130) has expired
• Changes to, or an end to, a Juvenile Restraining Order After Hearing (Form JV-255) when the case is closed and the order was granted under the Code of Civil Procedure

The FL-300 is not used to request new restraining orders, but if an active restraining order is relevant, the order should be included in the form. 

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How to fill out form FL-300 

There are four pages and 19 sections of form FL-300, including front matter and signatures. Keep scrolling for line-by-line instructions on how to fill out each section for your family law case.

FL-300 Page 1:

Front Matter

• State bar number. Your state bar number.
• Name. Your name.
• Firm name. Your firm’s name.
• Street Address, City, State, Zip Code, Telephone No., Fax No., Email address. Your firm’s street address, including city, state, and zip code; your firm’s telephone number (or your direct business line); your firm’s fax number; and your firm’s email address.
• Attorney for (name). Your client’s full name.
• Superior Court of California, County of. The court’s address, including city, state, and zip code.
• Branch name. Fill in the court’s branch name.
• Petitioner. Your client’s full name.
• Respondent. Your client’s former spouse, former partner, or co-parent’s full name as listed in the petition.
• Other Parent/Party. If applicable. This section is typically a grandparent, a child support agency, or a lawyer representing a child in the case.
• Request for Order. Mark the box(es) that apply to your case with an X. 
  • If this is a change to an existing order, mark the “Change” box. 
  • If you’re asking for an emergency order that will be effective until the hearing date, mark the “Temporary Emergency Orders” box. 

Items 1-8

• Item 1: To (name(s)). The person(s) who will receive your request. For example, your client’s former spouse, former partner, or co-parent. If other people are joined in the case, like a grandparent or lawyer representing a child, list them as well.
• Item 2. Leave blank. The court will complete.
• Item 3. This is a notice to all parties and there is nothing to fill in here.
• Item 4-5. Leave blank. The court will complete if the order is granted.
• Item 6. Ask the Family Law Facilitator or Self-Help Center in your county to learn if you are required to make a child custody mediation or counseling appointment before filing form FL-300. Some counties provide these details and others require you to make the appointment.
• Item 7-8. Leave blank. If needed, the court will complete. 

FL-300 Page 2:

• Item 1 Restraining Order Information. If any party in your petition has a domestic violence protective or restraining order in effect, complete this section. If not, leave blank and skip to Items 2-9. Mark an X next to the person(s) with active restraining/protective orders: Petitioner, Respondent, Other Parent/Party.
  • Item 1a-b. Mark an X next to the court(s) that issued the order(s) and specify the county and state of the court: Criminal, Family, Juvenile, Other.
  • Write the case number, if you know it, for each protective/restraining order next to the corresponding court.
  • If you have a copy of the protective/restraining order, attach it to FL-300 when you file.
• Item 2 Child Custody/Visitation (Parenting Time). If you’re requesting an order to establish or change custody and/or visitation rights, complete this section. 
  • Mark an X next to the issue(s) you’d like the judge to review: Child Custody and/or Visitation (Parenting Time).
  • If you need an emergency order that will be effective until the hearing date, mark an X next to “I request temporary emergency orders.”
• • Item 2a. Mark an X next to the type of custody you request: Legal Custody to (person who decides: health, education, etc) and/or Physical Custody to (person with whom child lives).
    • List the names and dates of birth of the children involved.
    • If you are listing more than four children, mark an X next to “Attachment 2a.” List the remaining children on a new document, include “FL-300 Attachment 2a” and the case number on the page, then attach it to FL-300 when you file. 
  • Item 2b. Mark an X next to the orders you request: Child Custody and/or Visitation (Parenting Time). 
    • Item 2b1. One or more additional, explanatory forms may be required or be useful to your request. If they apply, mark each with an X, download and complete the form(s), and attach to FL-300.
      • FL-305, Temporary Emergency Orders (To request temporary custody)
      • FL-311, Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time) Application Attachment (To make allegations of abuse and substance abuse; detail weekly joint custody schedule) 
      • FL-312, Request for Child Abduction Prevention Orders (To ask for a court order if a child is at risk for abduction)
      • FL-341(C), Children’s Holiday Schedule Attachment (To detail holiday and vacation schedules)
      • FL-341(D), Additional Provisions—Physical Custody Attachment (To request how custodial and non-custodial parents should engage with each other and the children)
      • FL-341(E), Joint Legal Custody Attachment (Only if you want to ask the court to make orders specifying when both parties need to consent to parental decisions and the consequences for not doing so) 
    • Item 2b2. If your request is not covered in the form options above, explain what you’re requesting here. If you need more space, mark an X next to “Attachment 2b.” Write your requests on a new document, include “FL-300 Attachment 2b” and the case number on the page, then attach it to FL-300 when you file. 
  • Item 2c. Explain why the order(s) you requested are in the best interests of the children. If you need more space, mark an X next to “Attachment 2c.” Write your explanation on a new document, include “FL-300 Attachment 2c” and the case number on the page, then attach it to FL-300 when you file. 

FL-300 Page 3:

• Item 2d. If this is a change to an existing child custody or visitation order, mark an X next to the corresponding box. If you need more space, mark an X next to “Attachment 2d.” Write your requests on a new document, include “FL-300 Attachment 2d” and the case number on the page, then attach it to FL-300 when you file. 
  • Item 2d1. For changes to child custody orders, list the date and specifications of the original court order here. 
  • Item 2d2. For changes to visitation orders, list the date and specifications of the original court order here. 

• Item 3 Child Support. If you’re requesting an order to start or change child support, complete this section. 
  • Item 3a. To request child support, list the names and ages of the children who need support. If you are listing more than four children, mark an X next to “Attachment 3a.” List the remaining children on a new document, include “FL-300 Attachment 3a” and the case number on the page, then attach it to FL-300 when you file. 
    • The State of California calculates the monthly child support guideline for an individual respondent. If you are requesting support based on the child support guideline, mark an X next to the box. If you are requesting a different amount, fill in the amount. 
  • Item 3b. To change a current child support court order, mark an X next to this box. Write the date of the order filing and the amount specified.
  • Item 3c. Your client will need to submit an Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150), unless they meet the criteria to use the Financial Statement (Simplified) (form FL-155) instead.
  • Item 3d. Explain why the order is in the best interests of the children. If you need more space, mark an X next to “Attachment 3d.” Write your explanation on a new document, include “FL-300 Attachment 3d” and the case number on the page, then attach it to FL-300 when you file. 

• Item 4 Spousal or Domestic Partner Support. Complete this section to start, end, or change a support order. 
  • Item 4a. To request spousal or domestic partner support, mark this box with an X. Write the amount you’re requesting. 
  • Item 4b. To request to change or end a current support order, mark this box with an X. Write the date your current order was filed and the amount ordered.
  • Item 4c. To change spousal or partner support after entry of a judgment, mark this box with an X. You will also need to submit a Spousal or Partner Support Declaration Attachment (form FL-157), or a declaration with the same information.
  • Item 4d. Spousal or domestic support petitioners must also attach an Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150) with this type of request. 
    • If you already attached an FL-150 for a previous item, you don’t need to add another copy. 
  • Item 4e. Explain why you need to start, end, or change spousal or domestic partner support. If you need more space, mark an X next to “Attachment 4e.” Write your explanation on a new document, include “FL-300 Attachment 4e” and the case number on the page, then attach it to FL-300 when you file. 

FL-300 Page 4:

• Item 5 Property Control. If you are requesting an order to gain control of shared property or request payments on debts or liens for shared property, mark this section with an X. If you need an emergency order that will be effective until the hearing date, mark an X next to “I request temporary emergency orders.”
  • Item 5a. For new property control orders, complete this section with who (petitioner, respondent, other parent/party) should be allowed to use which properties. Specify the location of the property.
  • Item 5b. For payments, complete this section with who (petitioner, respondent, other parent/party) should make payments on debts and liens for which properties.
  • Item 5c. If you’re requesting a change to a current order, mark this section with an X. Write when your current order was filed. 
  • Item 5d. On a new document, write your reasons for needing this order. Include “FL-300 Attachment 5d” and the case number on the page, then attach it to FL-300 when you file. 

• Item 6 Attorney’s Fees and Costs. Mark this section with an X if your client is requesting attorney’s fees and costs from their former spouse, partner, co-parent, or other party. Write the amount you are requesting. 
  • Item 6a-c. You will need to submit three forms along with FL-300 for this request: Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150); Request for Attorney’s Fees and Costs Attachment (form FL-319), or a declaration that answers the same questions; and Supporting Declaration for Attorney’s Fees and Costs Attachment (form FL-158) or a declaration that answers the same questions.
    • If you already attached an FL-150 for a previous item, you don’t need to add another copy. 

• Item 7 Other Orders Requested. If you are requesting an order that isn’t covered in the items above, detail that request here. If you need more space, mark an X next to “Attachment 7.” Write your request on a new document, include “FL-300 Attachment 7” and the case number on the page, then attach it to FL-300 when you file. 
• Item 8 Time for Service/Time Until Hearing. If this is an urgent Request for Order and you need a faster timeline, mark an X on this section. Write which time accommodations you need here.
  • Item 8a. Write when you plan to serve this Request for Order form, if it’s less than the standard six court days plus five calendar days before the hearing. 
  • Item 8b. Mark this with an X if you need the hearing date and service date to be sooner. 
  • Item 8c. Explain why you need this accommodation. If you need more space, mark an X next to “Attachment 8.” Write your explanation on a new document, include “FL-300 Attachment 8” and the case number on the page, then attach it to FL-300 when you file. 

• Item 9 Facts to Support. Use this section to add facts to support your above requests. If you need more space, mark an X next to “Attachment 9.” Write your explanation on a new document, include “FL-300 Attachment 9” and the case number on the page, then attach it to FL-300 when you file. This section should be 10 pages or less unless you have permission from the judge to include more. 
• Signature. Type or print, then sign your name. 

Why is the FL-300 so important?

California’s FL-300 is the beginning of many essential family law matters, like requesting spousal support, revisiting child custody parameters, and changing child support orders. Since one FL-300 form can be used to request, change, or end multiple orders for multiple children, it’s one of the most versatile forms in family law. It’s also one of the more complex, as various layers of a family law case can be addressed with one form.

Making sure to accurately fill out an FL-300 form, and all of the supplementary forms, will give your clients a running head start in resolving important issues that directly affect their quality of life. 

FL-300: Final thoughts

The FL-300 Request for Order is a foundational form in California family law. Understanding how to use (and how not to use) this important form will help families receive the best outcomes. 

If your client needs an FL-300, chances are, you also need to understand the FL-150, or California’s Income and Expense Declaration. 

Categorized in: California Legal Forms