How to Fill Out Form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution)

If you want to get divorced in California, it all starts with Form FL-100. This three-page document is officially called the "Petition — Marriage/Domestic Partnership." It is the legal complaint that opens your case with the court and tells the judge — and your spouse — exactly what you are asking for. For the complete list of California divorce forms, see our master checklist. For the bigger picture, here is the full step-by-step guide to filing for divorce in California.

Because this is the foundational document of your entire divorce, making a mistake here can limit your legal rights later. Here is a step-by-step guide to filling out the most critical sections of the FL-100.

The Caption (Top of Page 1)

The box at the very top of the form is called the caption. You will fill this out exactly the same way on every single form you file. The FL-100 must be filed alongside the FL-110 Summons.

• Attorney or Party Without Attorney: If you are representing yourself, write your name, address, and phone number. Leave the "State Bar No." field blank.
• Superior Court of California: Write the name and address of the specific county courthouse where you are filing. You must file in a county where either you or your spouse has lived for the past three months.
• Petitioner and Respondent: You are the Petitioner. Your spouse is the Respondent. These titles never change.

Section 2: Residency Requirements

Under California Family Code Section 2320, you must check the box confirming that either you or your spouse has been a resident of California for at least six months, and a resident of the county where you are filing for at least three months.

Section 3: Statistical Facts

• Date of Marriage: The exact date you were legally married.
• Date of Separation: The day one spouse decided the marriage was over and communicated that decision through their actions. The day you separate is the day your finances stop being community property and start being separate property.

Section 4: Minor Children

If you and your spouse have children together who are under 18, list their names, birthdates, and ages here. If you check this box, you are also legally required to file Form FL-105 (UCCJEA Declaration) along with your Petition.

Section 5: Legal Grounds

California is a strict no-fault divorce state. You will almost always check box 5(a)(1): "Irreconcilable differences."

Section 6: Child Custody and Visitation

• Legal Custody: Who makes decisions about the child's health, education, and welfare? (Usually joint).
• Physical Custody: Who does the child live with? (Joint, or sole to one parent with visitation for the other).

Section 7: Child Support

You do not request a specific dollar amount here. By checking the box, you are acknowledging that the court has authority to order child support based on the state's mandatory formula.

Section 8: Spousal Support

1. Ask the court to award spousal support to you.
2. Ask the court to terminate its ability to award spousal support to your spouse.
3. Ask the court to reserve jurisdiction (no support now, but the court keeps the door open to order it later).

Section 9: Separate Property

List all the assets and debts you believe belong entirely to you. You can list them directly on the form, or attach a separate Property Declaration (Form FL-160).

Section 10: Community Property

List all the assets and debts acquired during the marriage that you want the court to divide. Again, you can list them on the form or attach an FL-160. You will detail these again later in the Schedule of Assets and Debts (FL-142).

Tip: If you do not know exactly what property you have yet, you can check box 10(c) stating that the community assets are currently unknown and you will amend the petition later.

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