Form Packet Builder

Show me the forms that commonly go with this step.

This organizer uses current statewide California Judicial Council forms and official California Courts links. It does not certify that a form is required in your case, and your county may require additional local forms.

Regular petition/response packets only. This builder does not currently assemble active joint-petition (FL-700/FL-710) or summary-dissolution packets. Those processes have different starting mechanics and forms. Use the Common Forms Assistant to look up the joint-petition forms, and follow California Courts’ dedicated workflow.

Working packet

Start a divorce / legal separation

4 forms

FL-100

Prepare / file

Effective January 1, 2020

Petition—Marriage/Domestic Partnership

Starts a divorce, legal separation, or annulment case and identifies the issues to be included in the case.

Why you’re seeing thisYou are starting the family-law case.

What happens to itFile with the court, then serve a filed copy with the Summons.

What to gather before you start

Marriage or partnership dates
Basic information about children, property, debts, and support issues
County where the case will be filed

FL-110

Prepare / file

Effective January 1, 2015

Summons (Family Law)

Notifies the respondent that the case has started and contains important automatic restraining orders.

Why you’re seeing thisThe Petition is normally accompanied by a Summons when a divorce or legal-separation case starts.

What happens to itFile with the starting papers and serve the issued/filed copy on the respondent.

What to gather before you start

Names of both parties
Case information from the Petition
A safe plan for service by a nonparty adult

FL-120

Prepare / serve

Effective January 1, 2020

Response—Marriage/Domestic Partnership

Lets the respondent formally participate in the case and state the orders they want the court to be able to make.

Why you’re seeing thisYou were served with a Petition and want to file a formal Response.

What happens to itFile with the court and have a nonparty adult serve a filed copy on the other side or their attorney when applicable.

What to gather before you start

Petition and Summons you received
Dates of marriage, separation, and service
Issues involving children, support, property, and debts

FL-115

File proof / confirmation

Effective January 1, 2021

Proof of Service of Summons

Tells the court when and how the initial Summons and Petition were served.

Why you’re seeing thisThe starting papers have been served and the court needs proof of that service.

What happens to itThe server completes it; file the completed proof with the court.

What to gather before you start

Date, time, place, and method of service
Server’s information
Which starting papers were served

Local forms still matter. Some Superior Courts require local cover sheets, case-management documents, custody forms, judgment checklists, or other local paperwork. Check the County Guide before treating this list as complete.

Ready to turn this in?See filing options, fee-waiver information, local checks, and what happens after submission.

How do I file this?