Some Preliminary California Family Law Information

Note: The following materials are in no way intended to take the place of individual counsel from a qualified attorney. You need to consult with a lawyer of your own choosing in order to protect your rights in any contested or potentially contested dissolution or family law proceeding.
These pleading forms and guides comprise most of the basics of a dissolution or domestic case. Familiarity with them will be extremely helpful when you consult with a lawyer.

California Family Law Forms
Click here to go to the Judicial Council's site for all the forms they publish, including those not in English.

Summary Dissolution If you have been married for less than five years, have no children, no real estate, community property of less than $25,000.00, separate property of less than $25,000 and debts of less than $5,000.00, and are willing to forego any sort of spousal support (alimony), you may qualify for a Summary Dissolution, or a "do-it-yourself" divorce where lawyers would not be required.
Forms:
Judicial Council form FL800, FL820, FL830
Summary Dissolution Info: FL810

Basic Family Law/Dissolution Forms:
Petition
Response
Summons
Property Declaration

Forms for Support and Other Relief:
Order to Show Cause
Temporary Orders
Notice of Motion
Application for Order
Stipulation to Establish or Modify Child Support
Notice of Motion and Motion for Simplified Modification of Order for Child, Spousal, or Family Support
Information Sheet-Simplified Way to Change Child, Spousal, or Family Support
Responsive Declaration to Motion for Simplified Modification of Order for Child, Spousal, or Family Support
Responsive Declaration to Order to Show Cause or Notice of Motion (Family Law - Uniform Parentage)
Note: The Income and Expense Declaration is the pleading the courts most rely on to set child and/or spousal support amounts.
Income and Expense Declaration
Financial Statement (Simplified)
Information Sheet on Changing a Child Support Order

California Laws and Codes can be found here
For the California Family Code click here

Child Support standards, or guidelines are set pursuant to a complicated mathematical formula that is generally computer programmed.
This is the law that sets forth the criteria.

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