California family-law form guide
What does form FL‑320 do?
The Responsive Declaration answers the orders requested on FL‑300. It records a party’s position and supporting facts—not the judge’s decision.
Short answer: FL‑320 lets the responding party tell the court whether they agree or disagree with the orders requested on FL‑300, explain the supporting facts and describe the orders they want instead on those issues. California Courts says the response generally must be filed and served at least 9 court days before the hearing unless the court orders a different time.
California Courts says FL‑320 tells the court and the other party whether you agree or disagree with the orders requested on FL‑300 and describes the orders you want instead.
Open the official FL‑320 page ↗What can you address on FL‑320?
The form is organized around the types of orders commonly requested on FL‑300. You identify which requests you agree or disagree with and give facts supporting your position. If the FL‑300 asks for several different orders, California Courts says you can use one FL‑320 to respond to all of them.
FL‑320 is not a separate request for an unrelated issue. If the other party asks only for child support and you also want the judge to change parenting time, California Courts says you generally need both a response to the child-support request and your own FL‑300 for the different issue.
When is FL‑320 usually due?
California Courts says the responsive papers generally must be filed and served at least 9 court days before the hearing. A court day is a day the court is open, excluding weekends and court holidays. If the court ordered a shorter or different schedule, the court’s order controls.
For personal service, the filed response and attachments must be delivered by the applicable deadline. For mail service, California Courts says the server must mail the papers at least 5 calendar days before that deadline—and earlier when the recipient is farther away.
What other forms or evidence may be needed?
The answer depends on what FL‑300 asks the judge to decide:
- Child or spousal support and attorney’s fees: financial information such as FL‑150 may be required.
- Custody and parenting time: additional custody information may be useful or required, and court-connected mediation or recommending counseling generally occurs before the judge decides the issue.
- Property control or “Other” orders: supporting forms, evidence or legal grounds can depend on the exact request.
- More space for facts: MC‑031 can be used as an attached declaration when appropriate.
California Courts says supporting documents and declarations usually need to be filed and served before the hearing for the judge to consider them. Private identifiers such as Social Security numbers and account numbers should be redacted from public filings.
Map the full hearing track first.
Find the hearing, inspect any current orders, preserve service facts and separate what was requested from what has been decided.
Why do completed, filed and served need separate status?
The response states a party’s position and is signed. It may still be only a draft.
The court received the responsive papers. Preserve the court-stamped copy or filing confirmation.
Another adult delivered the papers and completed the applicable proof of service.
California Courts says the person responding cannot serve the papers themselves. Another adult who is not part of the case must mail or personally deliver them, then complete FL‑335 or FL‑330 as appropriate. The proof of service is filed with the court separately.
How should the response connect position, facts and sources?
A clear response keeps three layers distinct:
What does FL‑320 not prove?
- It is not a judge’s ruling or signed order.
- The statements in it are a party’s position, not automatically established facts.
- A completed copy does not prove it was filed.
- A file stamp does not by itself prove service.
- A proof of service reports delivery; it does not prove the judge considered every attachment.
- Filing FL‑320 does not itself add an unrelated issue to the hearing.
What happens after FL‑320 is filed and served?
Prepare for any required mediation and for the hearing. Organize the FL‑300, FL‑320, proofs of service, the relevant existing orders and the sources supporting each disputed point. Use the free hearing checklist to add remote, custody, evidence and court-access tracks without entering case details.
The judge may decide at the hearing or ask for more information and continue the matter. The result should be verified against the signed written order—commonly using FL‑340 and issue-specific attachments—not inferred from what either party requested.
Official sources
- California Courts: FL‑320 form page
- California Courts: FL‑320 Information Sheet
- California Courts: Respond to a Request for Order
- California Courts: Serve your Responsive Declaration
- California Courts: Submit hearing documents and statements
- California Courts: What to expect at the hearing
This page provides legal information, not legal advice. Read CourtAhead’s editorial and source standards.