Answer a few questions about your situation. You will get a checklist of the Judicial Council forms that typically apply, in the order you would file them, with a link to a step by step guide for each one.
California family court uses a standard set of Judicial Council forms, but which forms apply to you depends on your case type, whether you and the other party agree, whether you have minor children, and whether you are starting a case or responding to one. A divorce that starts with agreement on every term can use a single Joint Petition (FL-700). A divorce without full agreement starts with a Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110), and the other spouse responds with a Response (FL-120) within 30 days. Cases with children add a Declaration Under UCCJEA (FL-105), a custody attachment (FL-311), and an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) for support. Parents who were never married use a different starting form, FL-260, to ask the court to establish custody and support. Restraining orders follow a separate process entirely, split between domestic violence orders (DV-100 and related forms) and civil harassment orders (CH-100), depending on your relationship to the other person.
The wizard above walks through these branches for you. If you would rather read the full form by form breakdown for an uncontested case, see our uncontested divorce checklist.
It depends on whether you and your spouse agree on everything and whether you have minor children. At minimum, a California divorce starts with a Petition (FL-100) and Summons (FL-110), or a combined Joint Petition (FL-700) if you both agree. Cases with children add a Declaration Under UCCJEA (FL-105), a custody attachment (FL-311), and an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150). Answer the questions above for a list matched to your situation.
No. This tool gives general information about which California Judicial Council forms typically apply to common situations. It is not legal advice, and it does not review your specific facts the way an attorney would. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm.
This checklist covers the statewide Judicial Council forms most people in your situation need to start. Some counties require additional local forms, cover sheets, or a specific number of copies. Check your county Superior Court's self-help page or clerk's office before you file.
File Form FW-001, Request to Waive Court Fees, along with your other paperwork. If the court approves it, you will not have to pay the filing fee, and some other costs may be waived too.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. You can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. A domestic violence restraining order (DV-100 and related forms) is a separate, faster process from a divorce or custody case, and you can request one whether or not you also have a family court case open.