California family-court event guide
The hearing ended. The written order is the next source.
Compare what each party requested with what the signed court order actually says, including every attachment, date and issue the judge did not decide.
Short answer: California Courts says that after the judge decides a Request for Order, someone must prepare an order for the judge to sign. FL-340 is commonly the first page, with the actual orders stated or attached. Read the complete signed order—not the original request—to see what the court ordered.
- 01Request and responseParty positions
Show what each party asked the judge to decide.
- 02HearingCourt event
The judge hears the issues and may decide them or require more information.
- 03Decision recordedCheck scope
Notes or a minute order may help prepare the written order.
- 04Order prepared and signedControlling source
FL-340 and attachments state the court’s written orders.
- 05Follow-up verifiedNext record
Track service, effective dates, review dates and later compliance separately.
How do you identify the complete order?
FL-340 is a cover page used to list or attach decisions made after a family-law hearing. The order may include separate attachments for custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, property or other issues. Page count, attachment names and judge’s signature matter.
- Confirm the case and hearingMatch the court, case number, parties and hearing date.
- Read every checked box and attachmentThe cover page may not contain the operative details.
- Locate the judge’s signature and filing informationSeparate a proposed draft from the court’s signed order.
- Extract exact dates and conditionsCalendar only what the order states; do not infer missing terms.
- Mark unresolved issuesA continuance or reserved issue is not a final decision on that subject.
What should you compare?
What the requesting party asked for.
What the responding party agreed with or opposed.
What was discussed, continued or taken under submission.
What the court ordered in writing.
A requested amount, schedule or restriction does not become a court order merely because it appeared in FL-300. Likewise, hearing notes or an unsigned proposed order should not be labeled as the signed order.
What should you extract from the order?
- who must do what;
- the exact start date, time, amount or exchange location stated;
- conditions that must occur first;
- review hearings, continued issues or later filing requirements;
- which earlier orders remain in effect, change or end; and
- which facts still need a separate source, such as payment or delivery.
Keep the request, hearing record, and signed order distinct.
Mark which copies you have and which filing, delivery, or order status still needs verification.
What if the written order seems wrong or incomplete?
Contact the court’s self-help center or a lawyer promptly. Correcting a clerical problem, asking for reconsideration, seeking a set aside and appealing are different procedures with different legal standards and deadlines. This page cannot determine which, if any, applies.
What does the order not prove?
- The order does not prove that a later payment, exchange or delivery occurred.
- A signature does not prove every party received the order.
- A minute order may not include every term found in the signed FL-340 packet.
- An order on one issue does not decide an issue the court reserved or did not address.
- A later request to change the order does not itself change the current order.
Official sources
- California Courts: What to expect at a Request for Order hearing
- California Courts: FL-340 Findings and Order After Hearing
- California Courts: Divorce and family-law order forms
- California Courts: Set aside a family-law order or judgment
- California Courts: Find a court self-help center
This page provides legal information, not legal advice. Read the complete signed order and get prompt help with interpretation, correction, reconsideration, set-aside or appeal questions.