FL-300 Request for Order (California): how to fill it out, line by line

Summary: what FL-300 does, and what you need first

• FL-300 is the Judicial Council form that schedules a hearing and asks a judge to make new orders, or change existing orders, in a California family law case.
• It is filed in a case that already exists. FL-300-INFO says not to use it before the Petition that starts the case is filed, though it may be filed together with the Petition.
• The form is four pages. Page 1 is the Notice of Hearing and the court order block; pages 2 through 4 are your request and your supporting facts.
• Before you start, have your case number and the party names exactly as they appear in the Petition.
• Have the name, and a current address, for every other party in the case who has to be served.
• If you are asking for custody or visitation (parenting time), have each child’s full name and date of birth.
• If you check child support, spousal or partner support, or attorney’s fees and costs, you need a current FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration — or FL-155 if you meet its requirements — filed with the FL-300.
• Have your facts written out. Item 9 states that the facts you write in support and attach cannot be longer than 10 pages unless the court gives you permission.
• A filing fee is due at the time of filing. If you cannot pay it and have no valid fee waiver in the case, FL-300-INFO points to FW-001 (Request to Waive Court Fees) and FW-003 (Order on Court Fee Waiver).
• Make at least two copies of the full packet, and have a blank FL-320 ready for the other party — plus a blank FL-150 if you served an FL-150 or FL-155.

What the FL-300 is, and when you need it

Request for Order (form FL-300) is the mandatory Judicial Council form for asking a California family court to hold a hearing and make orders. The checkboxes under the form title name the subjects it covers: Child Custody, Visitation (Parenting Time), Child Support, Spousal or Partner Support, Property Control, Attorney’s Fees and Costs, and Other (specify). Two more boxes on the same line change what you are asking for: CHANGE, if you want to modify an order that already exists, and TEMPORARY EMERGENCY ORDERS, if you need orders that take effect before the hearing date.

It is filed in an existing case. FL-300-INFO lists the situations where FL-300 is the wrong form: it is not how you ask for a domestic violence restraining order (that is the DV-100 packet, described in DV-505-INFO), not how you change or end a Restraining Order After Hearing granted under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act such as DV-130 or JV-255, not for requests that have their own mandatory form — contempt is FL-410, setting aside a child support order is FL-360 or FL-640, setting aside a voluntary declaration of paternity is FL-280 — and not the route to take when you and the other party already have an agreement.

The hearing date is set by the court, not by you. Item 2 on page 1 is left blank; the clerk fills in the date, time, department and room, keeps the original, and gives you back your copies with the hearing date and time stamped on the first page. That stamped page 1 is the Notice of Hearing you serve.

What you serve is a packet, not a single form. FL-300-INFO says the other party gets a copy of the Request for Order and everything filed with it, a copy of any temporary emergency orders granted, a blank FL-320 Responsive Declaration to Request for Order, and a blank FL-150 if you served an FL-150 or FL-155. The warning printed at item 3 of page 1 tells that party what happens if they do not respond: the court may make the requested orders without them if they do not file an FL-320, serve a copy on the other parties at least nine court days before the hearing, and appear.

FL-300 box by box

The form has two numbered sequences. Page 1 — the Notice of Hearing and the court order block — is numbered 1 through 8 and is mostly the court’s to complete. Pages 2 through 4, headed REQUEST FOR ORDER, are numbered 1 through 9 and are yours. Both are covered below in the order you meet them.

Caption (page 1, top)

Party or attorney, court, party names, case number

What it asks

The top-left box asks for the party without an attorney, or the attorney: name, firm, street address, city, state, ZIP, telephone, fax, email, and the party they represent. Below it, the Superior Court of California county and the court’s street, mailing address, city and ZIP, and branch name. Then the case name block — PETITIONER, RESPONDENT, OTHER PARENT/PARTY — and the case number on the right.

What to put

Your own contact information if you are self-represented; FL-300-INFO is explicit that the party names must be written as they appear in the petition. Use the court location where the case is already filed, and copy the case number from any document already filed in the case.

Common mistake

Writing a party’s name differently from the Petition, or leaving the case number blank. The clerk matches the filing to an existing case file by those two things.

Form title (page 1)

REQUEST FOR ORDER / CHANGE / TEMPORARY EMERGENCY ORDERS, and the subject boxes

What it asks

Which of the printed subjects your request covers — Child Custody, Visitation (Parenting Time), Child Support, Spousal or Partner Support, Property Control, Attorney’s Fees and Costs, Other (specify) — and whether you are asking the court to CHANGE an existing order or to make TEMPORARY EMERGENCY ORDERS effective until the hearing.

What to put

Check every subject you actually fill in on pages 2 through 4, and nothing else. Check CHANGE when an order on that subject already exists, and use the Other (specify) line only for an order that has no box of its own.

Common mistake

A mismatch between these boxes and the pages behind them — checking Child Support here and leaving item 3 blank, or writing out a property request at item 5 without checking Property Control.

Item 1 (page 1)

TO (name)

What it asks

The name of the person or persons in your case who will receive this request, with boxes for Petitioner, Respondent, Other Parent/Party, and Other (specify).

What to put

Every other party entitled to notice. FL-300-INFO notes that in some cases this includes a grandparent who has been joined as a party, a local child support agency, or a lawyer who represents a child in the case.

Common mistake

Naming only the other parent when another party has appeared in the case. A party left off this item is a party who does not get served.

Item 2 (page 1)

A COURT HEARING WILL BE HELD AS FOLLOWS

What it asks

Date, time, department and room, and whether the address of the court is the same as the one noted above or other (specify).

What to put

Nothing. FL-300-INFO says to leave item 2 blank because the court clerk fills in the date, time and location of the hearing.

Common mistake

Writing in a date you picked yourself. It will not match what the clerk assigns, and the copies you serve will show the wrong hearing.

Item 3 (page 1)

WARNING to the person served with the Request for Order

What it asks

Nothing. It is printed notice to the other parties: the court may make the requested orders without them if they do not file a Responsive Declaration to Request for Order (form FL-320), serve a copy on the other parties at least nine court days before the hearing unless the court has ordered a shorter period, and appear at the hearing.

What to put

Leave it as printed, and read it — the same nine-court-day rule is the one that applies to you when you are the party responding to someone else’s FL-300.

Common mistake

Reading the nine court days as your own deadline. Your service deadline is the one in FL-300-INFO: 16 court days before the hearing for personal service, unless the court orders a different deadline.

Items 4–8 (page 1)

COURT ORDER — It is ordered that (FOR COURT USE ONLY)

What it asks

Whether time for service or time until the hearing is shortened, and the date service must be made by (item 4); the date an FL-320 must be served by (item 5); a child custody mediation or child custody recommending counseling appointment, with date, time and location (item 6); whether the orders in Temporary Emergency (Ex Parte) Orders (form FL-305) apply and must be personally served (item 7); and other orders (item 8). The date and signature line under it is the judicial officer’s.

What to put

Leave items 4, 5, 7 and 8 blank — FL-300-INFO says the court completes them if the orders are granted. Item 6 depends on where you file: FL-300-INFO says that in some counties the clerk checks item 6 and provides the mediation or recommending-counseling details, while other courts require the party or the party’s lawyer to make the appointment and complete item 6 before filing the FL-300.

Common mistake

Filing without finding out which practice your court follows. FL-300-INFO says to ask the court’s family law facilitator or self-help center.

Item 1 (page 2)

RESTRAINING ORDER INFORMATION

What it asks

Whether one or more domestic violence restraining or protective orders are now in effect between the Petitioner, Respondent, or Other Parent/Party, and which courts issued them: (a) Criminal, (b) Family, (c) Juvenile, (d) Other — each with a county and state and a case number if known. It also asks you to attach a copy of the orders if you have one.

What to put

Every domestic violence restraining or protective order currently in effect between the parties, with the issuing court’s county and state and the case number, and a copy attached if you have it. If no such order is in effect, leave item 1 unmarked.

Common mistake

Trying to request a restraining order here. Item 1 is disclosure only — FL-300-INFO says FL-300 is not the form for asking for a domestic violence restraining order, or for changing or ending a DV-130 or JV-255 Restraining Order After Hearing.

Item 2 (pages 2–3)

CHILD CUSTODY / VISITATION (PARENTING TIME)

What it asks

One item covers both subjects. 2a asks for each child’s name, date of birth, the person legal custody should go to (the person who decides health, education and so on) and the person physical custody should go to (the person the child lives with). 2b asks what orders you want for child custody or visitation, either as specified in attached forms — FL-305, FL-311, FL-312, FL-341(C), FL-341(D), FL-341(E), or other — or written out “as follows.” 2c asks why the orders you request are in the best interest of the children. 2d asks whether this is a change from the current custody or visitation order, with the date that order was filed and what the court ordered. There is also a box on this item to request temporary emergency orders.

What to put

Every minor child in the case with a date of birth, the custody arrangement you are asking for next to each child, and a schedule specific enough to be enforced: days, times, exchange place, holidays, and who transports. Most filers attach FL-311 for the schedule itself and continue the rest on Attachment 2a, 2b, 2c or 2d.

Common mistake

Asking for “joint custody” with no schedule attached. There is nothing in that for the court to order, and nothing specific for the other party to respond to in their FL-320.

Item 3 (page 3)

CHILD SUPPORT

What it asks

3a asks for each child’s name and age and whether you want support for each child set by the child support guideline or at a monthly amount you specify. 3b asks whether you want to change a current child support order, with the date it was filed and what it ordered. 3c is your statement that you have completed and filed a current Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150) with this request, or a current Financial Statement (Simplified) (form FL-155) because you meet the requirements to file FL-155. 3d asks why the court should make or change support. A note on the item adds that an earnings assignment may be issued — see Income Withholding for Support (form FL-195).

What to put

Check the guideline box unless you have a specific reason to ask for a set figure, and fill in each child’s name and age. 3c describes something you have to have actually done: file the FL-150 or FL-155 with the FL-300, not afterward.

Common mistake

Checking the child support box and filing no FL-150. California child support is calculated from both parties’ income figures, and without that form the court does not have yours.

Item 4 (page 3)

SPOUSAL OR DOMESTIC PARTNER SUPPORT

What it asks

4a asks the monthly amount requested. 4b asks whether you want the court to change or end the current support order, with the date it was filed and the monthly amount it ordered. 4c asks whether the request is to modify spousal or partner support after entry of a judgment, and states that you have completed and attached Spousal or Partner Support Declaration Attachment (form FL-157) or a declaration addressing the same factors. 4d is your statement that you filed a current FL-150 in support of the request. 4e asks why the court should make, change, or end support. A note adds that an Earnings Assignment Order for Spousal or Partner Support (form FL-435) may be issued.

What to put

A monthly dollar figure in 4a; the existing order’s filing date and amount in 4b if one exists; and your reasons in 4e or on Attachment 4e. If this is a post-judgment modification, attach FL-157 or a declaration that covers the same factors, and file the FL-150.

Common mistake

Asking to modify support after judgment without FL-157 or a declaration addressing the same factors — item 4c states you have attached one.

Item 5 (page 4)

PROPERTY CONTROL

What it asks

5a asks which party — petitioner, respondent, or other parent/party — should be given exclusive temporary use, possession and control of specific property, and whether the parties own or are buying it, or lease or rent it. 5b asks which party should be ordered to make payments on debts and liens coming due while the order is in effect, with pay to, for, amount, and due date for each. 5c asks whether this is a change from the current property control order, with its filing date. 5d says to specify in Attachment 5d the reasons the court should make or change the orders. This item also has a box to request temporary emergency orders.

What to put

Identify property specifically enough that a sheriff could act on it — a street address, a vehicle with its year and model, an account described by institution. List each debt separately with the payee, what it is for, the amount and the due date, and put your reasons on Attachment 5d as the item directs.

Common mistake

Describing property as “the house” or “the car.” An order that does not identify the property cannot be enforced against it.

Item 6 (page 4)

ATTORNEY’S FEES AND COSTS

What it asks

The total attorney’s fees and costs you request, and which documents you filed to support the request: (a) a current Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150), (b) a Request for Attorney’s Fees and Costs Attachment (form FL-319) or a declaration that addresses the factors covered in that form, and (c) a Supporting Declaration for Attorney’s Fees and Costs Attachment (form FL-158) or a declaration addressing the same factors.

What to put

A dollar total, plus a check next to each supporting document you have actually filed. FL-300-INFO notes those forms are not required when the request for attorney’s fees and costs is made under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act.

Common mistake

Writing a total with nothing behind it. The three boxes under item 6 are the record of what you filed; a figure with no FL-150 and no FL-319 or FL-158 (or equivalent declaration) leaves the request unsupported.

Item 7 (page 4)

OTHER ORDERS REQUESTED (specify)

What it asks

Any order that does not belong to items 1 through 6, with an Attachment 7 box if you need more room.

What to put

A plain statement of each order you want, written the way you would want the judge to write it, one order per request. Keep it to relief the court can actually grant on this form.

Common mistake

Using item 7 for a request that has its own mandatory form. FL-300-INFO gives the examples: contempt is FL-410, setting aside a child support order is FL-360 or FL-640, and setting aside a voluntary declaration of paternity is FL-280.

Item 8 (page 4)

TIME FOR SERVICE / TIME UNTIL HEARING

What it asks

Whether you urgently need (a) to serve the Request for Order no less than a number of court days before the hearing that you write in, or (b) the hearing date and service to be sooner; and (c) why you need the order, with an Attachment 8 box.

What to put

Complete item 8 only if the normal timeline does not work: write the number of court days you need, and give the reason in 8c or on Attachment 8. If the standard schedule is fine, leave item 8 unmarked.

Common mistake

Marking 8a or 8b and leaving 8c empty. The judge rules on this at item 4 of page 1, and has nothing to rule on without the reason.

Item 9 (page 4)

FACTS TO SUPPORT the orders I request

What it asks

The facts behind everything you asked for. The item states that the facts you write in support and attach to the request cannot be longer than 10 pages unless the court gives you permission, and offers an Attachment 9 box.

What to put

Dated, specific facts — who did what, when, and where — tied to the orders you requested above. The space on the form is a few lines, so most filers continue on Attached Declaration (form MC-031), marked “Attachment 9,” with their name, case number and “FL-300” at the top.

Common mistake

Saving the facts for the hearing. Your declaration is what the judge reads before the hearing, and a request with no facts in it is the easiest thing for the other party to object to in their FL-320.

Signature block (end of page 4)

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California…

What it asks

The date, your typed or printed name, and your signature, under a declaration that the information provided in the form and all attachments is true and correct.

What to put

Sign and date it last, after every item and attachment is final, and after you have checked that each box you marked on page 1 matches the item behind it. The date and signature line at the bottom of page 1 is for the judicial officer, not for you.

Common mistake

Filing it unsigned. An unsigned declaration is not a declaration, and the packet can come back to you before anything is filed.

After you sign (page 1)

The Notice of Hearing the clerk gives back

What it asks

Nothing on the form. FL-300-INFO describes what happens next: you give the paperwork and your copies to the clerk in person, by mail, or by e-filing where the county allows it; the clerk keeps the original and gives you back your copies with the court date and time stamped on the first page of the Request for Order.

What to put

Make at least two copies of the full packet before you file, as FL-300-INFO directs, so you leave with a stamped set to serve and a stamped set of your own. Serve from the stamped copies.

Common mistake

Serving a copy made before filing. Without the clerk’s stamped date and time, the other party has no notice of when to appear.

Common pitfalls

What to file with FL-300

• FL-320: Responsive Declaration to Request for Order. Blank, for the other party. FL-300-INFO lists a blank FL-320 among the documents the other party must be served with — you do not fill it in. Read the FL-320 walkthrough.
• MC-031: Attached Declaration. For item 9 and for any item that runs past the space on the form. The note at the top of page 2 says you may use MC-031 for attachments; label each one with its attachment number.
• FL-150: Income and Expense Declaration. A current one, filed with the FL-300, whenever you check child support, spousal or partner support, or attorney’s fees and costs. FL-155, Financial Statement (Simplified), may be used instead if you meet the requirements listed on page 2 of FL-155. Serve a blank FL-150 on the other party if you served an FL-150 or FL-155. Read the FL-150 walkthrough.
• FL-105: Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. Listed in FL-300-INFO among the forms you may need when requesting child custody or visitation (parenting time) orders, together with FL-311, FL-312, FL-341(C), FL-341(D) and FL-341(E).
• FL-319 and FL-158: Request for Attorney’s Fees and Costs Attachment; Supporting Declaration for Attorney’s Fees and Costs Attachment. Needed when you request attorney’s fees and costs at item 6, unless the request is made under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act. A declaration addressing the same factors may be used instead of either form.
• FL-157: Spousal or Partner Support Declaration Attachment. For a request to modify spousal or partner support after entry of a judgment, per item 4c — or a declaration that addresses the same factors.
• FL-305 and FL-303: Temporary Emergency Orders; Declaration Regarding Notice and Service of Request for Temporary Emergency (Ex Parte) Orders. For a temporary emergency (ex parte) request: FL-305 serves as your proposed orders, and FL-303 is the declaration describing how and when you gave notice.
• FL-330 or FL-335: Proof of Personal Service; Proof of Service by Mail. Completed by whoever served the papers — not by you — and filed with the clerk at least 5 court days before the hearing. FL-330 after personal service, FL-335 after service by mail.

Local forms vary by county, and FL-300-INFO says to complete the forms required by local court rules. Our courthouse lookup will tell you which Superior Court and branch handles your ZIP code so you can check that court’s local rules and local forms before you file.

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