Form FL-155 is California’s Simplified Financial Statement, used in family law cases when a parent or spouse has straightforward finances and qualifies under California Rules of Court rule 5.260. You file it instead of the longer FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration when your finances meet every box on the eligibility checklist at the top of the form.
If you file the wrong financial form, the judge can strike your declaration, delay your hearing, or set support based on the other parent’s numbers. According to the California Department of Child Support Services 2024 Annual Report, more than 1.2 million active child support cases run through California courts each year, and incomplete financial disclosures are one of the top three reasons hearings get continued.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 Who qualifies to use FL-155 instead of FL-150 and the exact eligibility test
- 💵 How to calculate gross income, deductions, and average monthly figures the right way
- 👨👩👧 How to fill out every line, box, and attachment with named real-world examples
- ⚖️ Which California Family Code sections, like §4055 and §3665, drive the form
- 🚫 The most common mistakes that get FL-155 rejected and how to avoid each one
What Form FL-155 Is and Who Uses It
Form FL-155, titled Financial Statement (Simplified), is a Judicial Council form created so parents with simple wage income can disclose finances without the 4-page FL-150. The official version lives on the Judicial Council forms page for FL-155. Judges, the local child support agency, and the other party use this form to apply the statewide guideline formula in Family Code §4055.
Federal law sets the floor here. Title IV-D of the Social Security Act requires every state to run a child support program with mandatory financial disclosure, and California implements that mandate through the Department of Child Support Services. California then layers its own rules on top, including the statewide uniform guideline and the mandatory disclosure rules in Family Code §3552.
The simplified form exists to lower the paperwork burden on low- and moderate-income filers. The Judicial Council adopted FL-155 under its authority in Government Code §68511 so eligible parents can move faster. The trade-off is that FL-155 leaves no place to list spousal support requests, self-employment net income, or detailed expenses.
When FL-155 Is the Right Form
You may use FL-155 only if you can check every box in the eligibility section at the top of page 1. The form requires that you have no self-employment income, no rental income, and no request to modify or set spousal support. Your only deductions must be normal payroll items shown on your paystub.
The plain-English idea is this: FL-155 is for W-2 employees with simple paystubs. The consequence of using it when you do not qualify is that the court can disregard your filing under California Rules of Court rule 5.260(c). A common misconception is that “simple” means “low income,” but a high-earning W-2 nurse with no side gigs can still use FL-155.
When to Switch to FL-150 Instead
You must switch to FL-150 the moment any of these are true: you own a business, you collect rent, you are asking for spousal support, you claim hardship deductions under Family Code §4071, or your union dues, health premiums, and mandatory retirement amounts are not all on your paystub. The consequence of staying on FL-155 in those cases is a guideline number that ignores real deductions, which usually means an unfair support order.
A real example helps. Maria, a Sacramento medical assistant, earns a flat hourly W-2 wage and pays union dues that show on her paystub, so FL-155 fits. Devon, a San Diego rideshare driver with 1099 income, must file FL-150 because he has self-employment expenses to deduct under Family Code §4058(a)(2).
Eligibility Checklist at the Top of FL-155
The top of FL-155 is a gate. If even one statement is false for you, stop and use FL-150. The form lists four conditions, and you must meet all of them to proceed.
The first condition is that you receive only wage or salary income from one or more employers. The second is that you do not own rental property. The third is that you have no self-employment income. The fourth is that you are not asking the court to make orders about spousal support, attorney fees, or unusual deductions.
The reasoning here ties back to Family Code §4058, which defines income from all sources. The simplified form simply cannot capture business net income, depreciation, or rental losses. The consequence of squeezing self-employment data into FL-155 is an inaccurate guideline calculation that the DissoMaster or XSpouse software will reject.
A common misconception is that side income under $600 a year does not count. It does count under Family Code §4058(a)(1), and hiding it can support a perjury finding under Penal Code §118. Always disclose first and let the form selection follow the facts.
The Simplified Test in Plain English
Ask yourself three short questions: Do I get a regular paystub from an employer? Is that my only income? Am I only dealing with child support, not spousal support? If you answer yes to all three, FL-155 is your form.
The consequence of getting this wrong is delay. Local rules in counties like Los Angeles Superior Court and San Francisco Superior Court require correct financial disclosures before a hearing date is confirmed. A quick example: Aisha, an Oakland warehouse lead, brings only W-2 income and qualifies for FL-155, saving her about an hour of paperwork compared to FL-150.
Step-by-Step: Filling Out Every Section of FL-155
Below is a line-by-line walkthrough using the current 2026 Judicial Council revision. Always download the latest copy from the California Courts forms portal so you do not file a stale version.
Caption and Case Information
The caption sits at the top, just like every other Judicial Council form. Enter your full name, address, telephone number, and email in the attorney/party box. If you fear for your safety, you can request a confidential address using form CM-010 and the procedure under Family Code §6322.7.
The court name and branch must match the court that issued the case number. The petitioner and respondent names must match the original FL-100 Petition exactly, including middle initials. The consequence of a typo is a clerk reject under California Rules of Court rule 2.100.
A common misconception is that the case number is optional on a first filing. It is not. If a case is open, the number must appear, or the clerk will not file-stamp the form. Maria once forgot her case number and lost her hearing slot, pushing her order out six weeks.
Section 1: Employment Information
Section 1 asks for your current employer’s name, address, occupation, hire date, work hours per week, and gross monthly pay. Use your actual gross pay before any deductions, because Family Code §4058 defines income gross-up.
The plain-English rule is to look at your paystub’s “Gross Earnings” line, not “Net Pay.” The consequence of writing net pay here is an undercount of income, which the other side will catch on cross-examination. A real example: Devon, if he worked W-2, would write $4,800/month gross even though only $3,500 hits his bank account.
If you have more than one job, attach a continuation sheet using form MC-025. Each employer gets its own block. A common misconception is that part-time second jobs do not count, but they do under Family Code §4058(a)(1).
Section 2: Age and Education
Section 2 captures your age and highest year of education. The court uses this to evaluate earning capacity under Family Code §4058(b), which lets a judge impute income based on ability and opportunity to work.
The reasoning is grounded in In re Marriage of Cheriton (2001) 92 Cal.App.4th 269, which held that earning capacity may be considered when consistent with the children’s best interest. The consequence of leaving education blank is that the judge may assume facts against you. A common misconception is that this section is private; it is not, and the other party can use it.
A short example: Aisha lists “Associate’s degree, 14 years of education.” That tells the court she has training but not a 4-year degree, which is relevant if anyone argues about imputed income.
Section 3: Tax Information
Section 3 asks how you file taxes (single, head of household, married filing jointly, etc.) and the number of exemptions you claim. California guideline software uses this to compute net disposable income under Family Code §4059.
The plain-English point is that filing status changes your tax burden, which changes guideline support. The consequence of guessing here is a wrong net income calc, which can swing support by hundreds of dollars per month. A common misconception is that “head of household” applies whenever you have a child; the IRS head-of-household test requires you to pay more than half the cost of keeping up a home.
For example, Maria lists “Head of Household, 2 exemptions” because she pays the rent and her two children live with her more than half the year. Devon lists “Single, 1 exemption” because his children live with their other parent.
Section 4: Other People in Your Home
Section 4 asks who lives with you, their age, relationship, gross monthly income, and whether they pay any household expenses. This drives the new mate income analysis under Family Code §4057.5.
The reasoning is that a new spouse’s income usually does not count, but it can be considered in extraordinary cases. The consequence of omitting a household member is a perjury risk under Family Code §3667. A common misconception is that roommates do not need to be listed; they do, with their share of rent.
A quick example: Aisha lists her partner’s gross income of $5,000/month and notes he pays half the rent. That triggers a Cheriton analysis but does not, by itself, raise her support obligation.
Section 5: Average Monthly Income and Deductions
Section 5 is the heart of FL-155. It asks for your average gross monthly income from all jobs, then your monthly deductions: federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security/FICA, Medicare, state disability, health insurance for you and the children, mandatory union dues, and mandatory retirement.
The right way to average is to use a 12-month look-back when income is steady, or a longer period if income swings. Family Code §4060 lets the court use a different time frame if monthly use is not accurate. The consequence of cherry-picking a low month is sanctions under Code of Civil Procedure §128.7.
Only mandatory deductions belong here. Voluntary 401(k) contributions are not deductible from guideline income under Family Code §4059(c). A common misconception is that a Roth IRA deduction lowers guideline income; it does not.
A real example: Maria writes $4,200 gross, $420 federal tax, $130 state tax, $260 FICA, $61 Medicare, $42 SDI, $180 health insurance for herself and the kids, and $35 mandatory union dues. Her net disposable income shows clearly so the court can plug it into DissoMaster.
Section 6: Assets
Section 6 asks for cash, checking, savings, stocks, bonds, and other property values. FL-155 does not ask for debts, which is one of its limits.
The plain-English rule is to use today’s reasonable market value, not the price you paid. The consequence of inflating or hiding assets is a fiduciary breach under Family Code §721(b) and possible sanctions under Family Code §1101. A common misconception is that retirement accounts do not need to be listed because they are “untouchable”; they must be listed at fair market value.
For example, Devon lists $1,800 in checking, $4,500 in savings, and $9,000 in a 401(k). The court sees liquidity at a glance.
Section 7: Health Insurance
Section 7 asks whether you have health insurance available for the children at no or reasonable cost. California courts must order health coverage under Family Code §3751.
The reasoning is that uninsured kids cost the state. The consequence of saying “no insurance available” when it is available through your employer is a later modification motion and back-charges. A common misconception is that Medi-Cal counts as your coverage; it does not relieve a parent’s duty under Family Code §3751.5.
A short example: Aisha checks “yes” and writes the monthly child-only premium of $95. That premium becomes an add-on under Family Code §4063.
Section 8: Signature Under Penalty of Perjury
The bottom of page 2 contains the perjury declaration under Code of Civil Procedure §2015.5. Sign and date in California, or add the location if signing out of state.
The consequence of signing falsely is a felony under Penal Code §118. The court can also strike the form and sanction you under Family Code §271. A common misconception is that an electronic signature is not enough; a typed name preceded by “/s/” is valid under California Rules of Court rule 2.257 for e-filed documents.
Mandatory Attachments and Service
FL-155 does not stand alone. Family Code §3665 requires you to attach your last two months of paystubs, and your most recent federal tax return must be available for inspection. Your county may also require form FL-192 (Notice of Rights and Responsibilities) when child support is at issue.
You must serve the other party using the rules in Code of Civil Procedure §1013, and prove service with form FL-335 or POS-030. Service must occur at least 9 court days before the hearing under Code of Civil Procedure §1005(b), with two court days added if you serve by mail.
The consequence of late service is a continuance, often six to eight weeks. A common misconception is that you can hand the form to opposing counsel at the courtroom door; you cannot, except by agreement. A practical example: Maria mails her FL-155 with paystubs to her ex on day 16 before the hearing, then files FL-335 the next day.
E-Filing by County
Most large counties now require e-filing through portals like LA Court e-Filing and Odyssey eFileCA for Sacramento, San Diego, and others. Self-represented parties usually qualify for the fee waiver via FW-001.
The reasoning behind e-filing mandates is courthouse efficiency. The consequence of paper-filing in an e-file-mandatory county is a clerk reject, even if your form is perfect. A common misconception is that uploading the PDF skips service; it does not.
Three Real-World Scenarios
Below are three named scenarios that show how FL-155 plays out in real California courtrooms. Each table maps the parent’s action on the form to the guideline result under Family Code §4055.
Scenario 1: Maria, the W-2 Medical Assistant in Sacramento
| Maria’s FL-155 Entry | Guideline Result |
|---|---|
| Gross $4,200/month, 1 job, head of household, 2 exemptions, mandatory deductions $1,128, child health premium $95, 50% timeshare | Roughly $410/month payable to other parent under DissoMaster, plus 50% of uninsured medical |
Scenario 2: Aisha, the Oakland Warehouse Lead with a New Partner
| Aisha’s FL-155 Entry | Guideline Result |
|---|---|
| Gross $5,800/month, partner earns $5,000 (listed in §4), single filer, 1 exemption, 30% timeshare, $0 child health premium | Court applies new-mate-income exclusion under §4057.5; guideline ~$780/month payable |
Scenario 3: Devon’s Hypothetical W-2 Switch in San Diego
| Devon’s FL-155 Entry | Guideline Result |
|---|---|
| Gross $4,800/month from new W-2 job (left rideshare), single, 1 exemption, 20% timeshare, child premium $110 | Guideline ~$690/month payable; FL-155 valid because self-employment ended |
Mistakes to Avoid on FL-155
Even simple forms get rejected. Below are the most common errors California family law clerks and judges flag, plus the consequence of each.
- Listing net pay instead of gross pay in Section 5 leads to an undercount of guideline income and a likely upward modification later
- Forgetting to attach paystubs under Family Code §3665 makes the form inadmissible at hearing
- Using FL-155 when you have 1099 income triggers a clerk reject and a wasted filing fee
- Hiding a second job invites perjury exposure under Penal Code §118
- Listing voluntary 401(k) contributions as deductions wrongly lowers your stated income and the court will correct it
- Skipping the household member disclosure in Section 4 violates Family Code §3667
- Filing a stale revision of FL-155 from an old website results in a non-conforming filing under California Rules of Court rule 1.31
- Forgetting to sign under penalty of perjury makes the entire form a legal nullity
- Skipping service on the other party means the court cannot rely on your numbers at the hearing
- Claiming head of household without meeting the IRS test inflates your net income calc unfairly
Do’s and Don’ts for FL-155
A short rule list keeps your filing clean. Each item explains why it matters.
- Do download the latest revision from the official forms page because old revisions get rejected
- Do average your income across 12 months under Family Code §4060 so it represents a normal month
- Do attach two months of paystubs to satisfy Family Code §3665
- Do disclose every household member, since omissions create perjury risk
-
Do keep a stamped copy for your file because the court may lose its scan
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Don’t use FL-155 with self-employment, rental, or spousal support requests, because the form lacks fields for them
- Don’t list voluntary deductions as mandatory, since Family Code §4059 excludes them
- Don’t sign the form outside California without adding the location, since the perjury clause requires it
- Don’t file in a wrong county, because venue is set by Family Code §2320
- Don’t rely on text messages as service of the form; use POS-030 instead
Pros and Cons of Using FL-155
The simplified form is faster, but it has limits. Weigh both sides before you commit.
- Pro: Shorter form means fewer entries and faster preparation, often under 30 minutes
- Pro: Lower error rate because there are fewer fields to mis-enter
- Pro: Friendly for self-represented parties, supported by California Courts Self-Help
- Pro: Accepted in every California county for qualifying cases
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Pro: Reduces e-filing page count, which lowers vendor charges in counties using Odyssey eFileCA
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Con: No place to claim hardship deductions under Family Code §4071, which can hurt low-income filers
- Con: No expense schedule, so it cannot show actual cost of living
- Con: No spousal support fields, so it forces a switch to FL-150 mid-case if support requests arise
- Con: No business or rental fields, which makes it useless for many gig workers
- Con: Limited debt disclosure, leaving asset/debt picture incomplete
Key Entities to Know
Several institutions and concepts shape how FL-155 is used. Knowing each helps you anticipate next steps.
The Judicial Council of California writes and updates FL-155, while individual Superior Courts accept and rule on it. The Department of Child Support Services and its local child support agencies appear in Title IV-D cases. The Family Code supplies the substantive rules, and the California Rules of Court supply the procedural ones.
Software entities also matter. DissoMaster and XSpouse are the two main tools judges use to compute guideline support from FL-155 data. California Courts Self-Help offers free guidance, and LawHelpCA lists legal aid offices.
Cases shape interpretation. In re Marriage of Cheriton (2001) 92 Cal.App.4th 269 governs earning capacity. County of Placer v. Andrade (1997) 55 Cal.App.4th 1393 addresses imputed income in IV-D cases. The unpublished but often-cited principles from California Courts published opinions round out the picture.
Recap of Key Court Rulings
A few rulings repeatedly drive FL-155 outcomes. They are short to learn and powerful in court.
In re Marriage of Cheriton (2001) 92 Cal.App.4th 269 holds that a parent’s earning capacity, not just actual earnings, may set guideline income when consistent with the children’s best interests. The consequence is that under-employed parents can be ordered to pay based on what they could earn. A common misconception is that simply being unemployed protects you; it does not.
County of Placer v. Andrade (1997) 55 Cal.App.4th 1393 confirms that imputation principles apply equally in Title IV-D cases run by the local child support agency. In re Marriage of Hein (2020) 52 Cal.App.5th 519 clarifies how to treat investment income, which is one reason investors usually need FL-150 instead of FL-155.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FL-155 mandatory if I qualify?
No. You may use FL-150 instead even when FL-155 is available, and many attorneys prefer FL-150 for its detail under California Rules of Court rule 5.260.
Do I need to attach paystubs to FL-155?
Yes. Family Code §3665 requires the last two months of paystubs to be served with any income disclosure form, including FL-155.
Can I file FL-155 if I have a 1099 side gig?
No. Any self-employment income disqualifies you from FL-155 because the form lacks fields for net business income under Family Code §4058(a)(2).
Does FL-155 cover spousal support requests?
No. FL-155 is limited to child support and basic disclosure; spousal support orders require the detailed expense schedule found in FL-150.
Can I e-sign FL-155?
Yes. Typed signatures preceded by “/s/” are valid for e-filed documents under California Rules of Court rule 2.257 when filed through an approved portal.
Do I list a roommate in Section 4?
Yes. Anyone living in your home, including roommates, must be disclosed with their income and contributions to household expenses under Family Code §3667.
Can my new spouse’s income raise my child support?
No. Generally a new mate’s income is excluded under Family Code §4057.5, unless excluding it would cause extreme and severe hardship to the child.
Is FL-155 used in Title IV-D cases?
Yes. The local child support agency accepts FL-155 in qualifying IV-D cases, and its case workers often help parents complete it.
Will the court order health insurance through FL-155?
Yes. Section 7 of FL-155 captures coverage, and the court must add it as an order under Family Code §3751 when reasonably available.
Can I use FL-155 to modify an existing order?
Yes. You may file FL-155 with a Request for Order (FL-300) to modify child support, as long as you still meet the simplified eligibility criteria.
Do I need a fee waiver to file FL-155?
No. FL-155 itself has no separate fee, but you can request a fee waiver via FW-001 for the underlying motion.
Will the judge use DissoMaster with my FL-155 numbers?
Yes. California judges typically run DissoMaster or XSpouse using your FL-155 inputs to compute guideline support under Family Code §4055.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California FL-150 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-150 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-191 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-195 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-270 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-700 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-120 (w/Examples) + FAQs