California Request for Order guide
You received FL‑300. Start with page 1.
The hearing, the issues being raised and any orders that apply before the hearing are not the same thing. Separate them before deciding what comes next.
Short answer: An FL‑300 means someone in your family-law case is asking a judge to make or change specific orders and the court has set a hearing. Read page 1 first for the hearing information, the checked issues and any orders made before the hearing. California Courts says an FL‑320 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 page 1 identifies the hearing, the requested issues and any orders made before the hearing; the details and reasons are on pages 2–4 and in attachments.
Read the California Courts FL‑300 explanation ↗- Find the hearing date, time and location on page 1Also check whether the appearance is in person or remote and verify local instructions with your court.
- List every issue checked on page 1The details of what is requested and why appear on pages 2–4 and any attachments.
- Look for orders made before the hearingIf item 7 is checked, read every attached order—including FL‑305, if present—because those orders may apply now.
- Record how and when the packet arrivedPreserve envelopes and the complete packet. The date on the form is not automatically the service date.
- Work backward from the hearingResponse, service, mediation and evidence steps may each need time. Do not rely on a generic calendar count when facts are uncertain.
What does FL‑300 mean?
FL‑300 is the Request for Order. It tells the court what another party wants a judge to decide—for example, child custody and parenting time, child support, spousal support, property control, attorney’s fees or another issue permitted in the case.
The checked boxes on page 1 provide the overview. “Change” means the person is asking to change an existing order. “Temporary emergency orders” means they asked the judge to decide something before the regular hearing. California Courts says that if emergency orders were granted, item 7 on page 1 will be checked and the orders will be attached or stated on FL‑305.
What is the Request for Order journey?
An FL‑300 can arrive inside a larger divorce or parentage packet. Treat the hearing as its own track so a Petition response, a hearing response and any current orders do not get mixed together.
- 01FL‑300 packet receivedDocument event
Preserve the complete source and service facts.
- 02Current orders checkedMay apply now
Read item 7 and attached court orders, if any.
- 03FL‑320 response pathAction track
File and serve the response and relevant attachments on time.
- 04Mediation and preparationConditional
Custody issues commonly add court-connected mediation.
- 05HearingScheduled event
The judge hears the issues that are properly before the court.
- 06Signed orderNot yet known
The outcome must be verified from the court’s order—not inferred from the request.
When is an FL‑320 response due?
California Courts says that, unless the court orders a different time, the responsive papers must be filed and served at least 9 court days before the hearing. Court days are days the court is open, excluding weekends and court holidays.
If the response is served by mail, California Courts says the server must mail it at least 5 calendar days before that service deadline—and earlier when the recipient is farther away. An adult who is not part of the case must serve the papers.
What does FL‑320 let you say?
FL‑320 is the Responsive Declaration to Request for Order. It lets you say whether you agree or disagree with the requested orders, explain why and describe the orders you want instead on those issues.
California Courts says one FL‑320 can respond to all issues raised in the same FL‑300. But it cannot be used to introduce a different issue that the FL‑300 did not ask the court to decide. A separate FL‑300 is generally needed to request a different order.
Additional forms depend on what was requested. Financial issues may require FL‑150 or other financial information. Custody and parenting-time issues commonly require court-connected mediation or child custody recommending counseling before the judge hears the issue. “Other” requests can require additional forms or legal grounds.
Map every form in the packet.
Start with FL‑300 and select the other form numbers you received. The result separates the request, response, financial and service records.
What should you organize before the hearing?
Start with the issues actually checked on FL‑300. For each one, separate:
- The request: exactly what order the other party wants.
- Your position: what you agree with, disagree with or want instead on that issue.
- Supporting facts: specific facts rather than conclusions.
- Supporting sources: declarations, records or other evidence tied to a specific point.
- Unknowns: missing documents, disputed dates or information that still needs verification.
California Courts says evidence usually needs to be filed and served before the hearing for the judge to consider it. If it was not filed and served in time, the judge may decline to consider it. Redact private identifiers before filing public court papers.
Turn this packet into a hearing-ready record.
Add custody, remote appearance, exhibits, interpreter, accessibility and safety tracks without entering case details.
What may happen at and after the hearing?
Usually, the person who filed FL‑300 speaks first, but both sides can be heard. The judge may decide at the hearing or require more information and continue the matter. If custody or parenting time is involved, mediation or recommending counseling generally happens before the judge decides those issues.
After a decision, someone must prepare the written order for the judge to sign. California Courts identifies FL‑340 as the cover page commonly used for findings and orders after a family-law hearing. The requested order, hearing notes and signed order are three different records. Use the guide to reading a California family-court order after hearing.
What does the packet not prove?
- FL‑300 does not prove the judge granted everything requested.
- Allegations and declarations are not automatically established facts.
- A file stamp does not by itself prove the papers were served correctly.
- A hearing date does not prove what the outcome will be.
- An unsigned draft order does not prove the judge signed or entered it.
Where can you get free official help?
California superior courts provide self-help centers and family-law facilitators. They can explain forms and procedure, and the help is free. They are especially important when “Other” is checked, emergency orders are involved, the deadline is close or you are unsure which attachments apply.
Use the California Courts self-help center finder.
Official sources
- California Courts: What an FL‑300 tells you
- California Courts: Respond to a Request for Order
- California Courts: Serve your Responsive Declaration
- California Courts: Prepare for your court date
- California Courts: Submit documents for a family-law hearing
- California Courts: FL‑340 Findings and Order After Hearing
This page provides legal information, not legal advice. It covers a general California family-law Request for Order and cannot determine the correct response in an individual case. Read CourtAhead’s editorial and source standards.