Not every California divorce needs a second, full round of financial disclosure. When both spouses have already exchanged complete preliminary disclosures and stayed honest about anything that changed since, Form FL-144 lets them agree, in writing, to skip the final round.
Key Takeaway: FL-144, Stipulation and Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure, is signed by both spouses to waive the final declaration of disclosure after the preliminary declaration has already been exchanged. It does not waive the preliminary disclosure, and it requires both signatures to be valid.
Form FL-144, titled "Stipulation and Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure," is the California Judicial Council form that tells the court two things:
- That you and your spouse or domestic partner already exchanged your preliminary (first) declaration of disclosure
- That you both agree not to exchange a final declaration of disclosure with each other
A stipulation is a formal agreement between the parties in a case. FL-144 is that agreement in writing, signed by both spouses and filed with the court in place of a final Form FL-141.
California divorce and legal separation cases generally involve two rounds of financial disclosure: a preliminary declaration of disclosure, and a final declaration of disclosure exchanged later in the case, closer to judgment.
FL-144 comes into play at that second point. Instead of preparing and serving a full final declaration of disclosure, both spouses sign FL-144 to confirm they are relying on the preliminary disclosure already exchanged and do not need to repeat the process.
This form is not available at the start of a case. You cannot waive the preliminary declaration of disclosure, and both parties must have already properly completed and served it before a waiver of the final round is an option.
FL-144 typically comes up as a case is heading toward settlement or judgment, whether that is an uncontested divorce, a default with agreement, or a contested case where the parties have reached a marital settlement agreement. In each of those situations, the underlying question is the same: has enough changed financially since the preliminary disclosure that a full final exchange is actually necessary, or have both spouses stayed current with each other along the way.
FL-144 is a mutual waiver, not a unilateral shortcut. If your spouse has not properly completed and served their preliminary declaration of disclosure, or if you are not confident their financial picture is still current, waiving the final disclosure may not be appropriate for your case.
It is worth being precise about what this form covers, because the name can be misread.
- It does not waive the preliminary declaration of disclosure. That step is still mandatory in every case.
- It does not waive your duty to disclose material financial changes. Signing FL-144 includes a declaration, under penalty of perjury, that you have kept each other informed of any significant changes since the preliminary disclosure.
- It does not replace Form FL-141 for the preliminary round. You still file an FL-141 confirming service of your preliminary disclosure; FL-144 only stands in for the final round.
Think of FL-144 as narrowly targeted. It removes one specific, later step in the disclosure process for couples who both agree it is unnecessary in their case, and nothing more. Everything else about California's financial disclosure requirements, including the duty of honesty and the preliminary exchange itself, stays fully in place.
<h2 id="before-you-sign">Before You Start</h2>Before you and your spouse sign FL-144, you should both be able to confirm:
- Your preliminary declaration of disclosure was properly completed and served, generally including Form FL-140, Form FL-142, and Form FL-150
- Proof of that service was filed with the court using Form FL-141
- Neither of you has undisclosed material changes to your income, assets, or debts since that preliminary disclosure
- Preliminary declaration of disclosure completed and served by both spouses
- FL-141 already filed confirming that service
- No unshared material financial changes since the preliminary disclosure
Case Information
Enter your name, your spouse's or domestic partner's name, and your case number exactly as they appear on your Petition, Response, and other filed documents. As with any court form, mismatched names or case numbers can cause processing delays.
The Stipulation Language
The body of FL-144 states that you and your spouse exchanged the preliminary declaration of disclosure and agree not to exchange a final declaration of disclosure. Read this language carefully with your spouse before either of you signs. Both of you are agreeing to the same statement.
Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury
FL-144 includes a sworn statement that each spouse has complied with the preliminary disclosure requirements, has disclosed all material financial information, and is not concealing assets or debts. This is not a formality. Signing it is a legal declaration with the same weight as testimony in court.
Both Signatures
Both spouses or domestic partners must sign FL-144. A form signed by only one party is not a valid stipulation and will not be accepted as a waiver of the final declaration of disclosure.
If you and your spouse are working through this form separately, for example while represented by different counsel or while communicating through a mediator, build in time for both signatures to actually make it onto the same document before you plan to file. Do not submit a form with only your own signature and expect the court to treat it as pending; an incomplete FL-144 is not a valid stipulation.
<h2 id="filing-fl-144">Filing FL-144 With the Court</h2>Once both spouses have signed, FL-144 is filed with the court, generally alongside or near the point where your case is moving toward judgment. As with FL-141, check your county Superior Court self-help center or clerk's office for the exact number of copies and filing method (in person, by mail, or e-filing) your court expects.
- Confirm both spouses have signed before filing
- File with the court as part of your judgment package or as directed by your court
- Keep a copy for your own records
Couples who have reached a full agreement on how to divide property and resolve support, and whose financial situations have not meaningfully changed since the preliminary disclosure, sometimes use FL-144 to avoid duplicating paperwork they have effectively already exchanged.
This is more common in uncontested cases or cases resolved by agreement, where both spouses are confident nothing material has shifted since the preliminary round. It is less appropriate when a case has dragged on for a long time, when either spouse's finances have changed significantly, or when either spouse has any doubt about the completeness of what was already shared.
There is also a practical benefit for couples who simply want to move their case to conclusion without repeating a paperwork-heavy step. Gathering updated bank statements, retirement account balances, and property valuations a second time takes real effort, and if both spouses genuinely believe nothing meaningful has changed, FL-144 lets them put that effort toward finishing the case instead. The tradeoff is that the waiver only works if both spouses are being fully honest about the "nothing has changed" part, since the sworn declaration on the form is what stands in for that second round of disclosure.
<h2 id="common-mistakes">Common Mistakes to Avoid</h2>- Signing FL-144 before the preliminary declaration of disclosure has actually been completed and served
- Filing FL-144 with only one spouse's signature
- Waiving the final disclosure despite a material change in income, assets, or debts that was never shared
- Confusing FL-144 with FL-141, which confirms service rather than waiving it
- Assuming FL-144 also covers or waives the preliminary disclosure requirement
- Leaving the case number or party names inconsistent with other filed forms
What is Form FL-144 used for?
Form FL-144, Stipulation and Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure, is a California Judicial Council form that both spouses or domestic partners sign to tell the court they already exchanged their preliminary declaration of disclosure and agree not to exchange a final declaration of disclosure with each other.
Can I waive my preliminary declaration of disclosure too?
No. FL-144 only waives the final declaration of disclosure. Both spouses are still required to properly complete and serve the preliminary declaration of disclosure before a final waiver is available. There is no form that waives the preliminary disclosure requirement.
Do both spouses have to sign FL-144?
Yes. FL-144 requires the signatures of both spouses or domestic partners. It is a mutual stipulation, meaning both sides are agreeing to waive the final disclosure, not a one-sided request. If your spouse will not sign, this form is not an option and a final declaration of disclosure should be exchanged instead.
Is FL-144 filed with the court?
Yes. FL-144 is filed with the court, similar to Form FL-141. It serves as the court record that the final declaration of disclosure requirement was properly waived by agreement, rather than skipped without any documentation.
What if my financial situation changed after I served my preliminary disclosure?
By signing FL-144, each spouse is declaring under penalty of perjury that they have kept the other informed of any material changes to their financial circumstances since the preliminary disclosure. If there have been significant changes you have not shared, exchanging a final declaration of disclosure instead of signing a waiver is generally the safer path.
Can Virdix tell me whether I should waive my final declaration of disclosure?
No. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and cannot advise you on whether waiving your final declaration of disclosure is the right decision in your case. That is a legal judgment call that depends on your specific facts. If you are unsure, a licensed California family law attorney can help you weigh the decision.
How Virdix Helps With FL-144
Deciding whether to waive your final declaration of disclosure, and getting the paperwork right if you do, takes careful tracking of what has already been exchanged. Virdix is built to help:
- Disclosure history, keeps a record of what was included in your preliminary declaration so you can review it before deciding whether to waive the final round
- Consistency checks, keeps FL-144 aligned with your previously filed Form FL-141 and preliminary disclosure documents
- Signature checklist, reminds you that both spouses must sign before FL-144 can be filed
- Filing guidance, walks you through where FL-144 fits into your overall judgment paperwork
For background on the preliminary disclosure this form depends on, see Form FL-140 and Form FL-142. You can also browse our California divorce guides for the full disclosure process. Virdix does not advise you on whether waiving your final disclosure is the right call. That is a legal decision, and if you are unsure, a licensed attorney can help.
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed California family law attorney.
Sources: California Courts Self-Help Center (selfhelp.courts.ca.gov), Judicial Council of California