Form FL-220 is the Responsive Declaration to Request for Order in California family law, and you fill it out by checking the boxes that show your agreement or disagreement with each request, attaching a written declaration of facts under penalty of perjury, and filing the original with the court while serving a copy on the other side at least nine court days before the hearing under California Rules of Court 5.94. You must also attach a current Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) whenever the request involves child support, spousal support, or attorney’s fees.
If you ignore an RFO or skip the FL-220, the judge may grant the moving party’s requests by default, leaving you with custody, support, or fee orders you never had a chance to oppose. According to the Judicial Council of California’s 2024 Court Statistics Report, more than 380,000 family law petitions are filed each year, and a large share involve at least one Request for Order that requires a timely response.
In this guide, you will learn:
- 📝 How to complete every box, line, and attachment on Form FL-220 without missing a step
- ⚖️ Which California Family Code sections and Rules of Court control your response and the consequences of breaking them
- 👨👩👧 How to respond to custody, support, attorney’s fees, and property control requests with named real-world examples
- 🚫 The most common mistakes that cause judges to disregard your declaration or strike it entirely
- 📅 The strict service and filing deadlines, fee waivers, and county-specific local rules you must follow
What Form FL-220 Is and Why It Matters
Form FL-220 is the official Judicial Council form a party uses to respond to a Request for Order (FL-300) in a California family law case. It tells the judge whether you agree, disagree, or partly agree with each request the other side filed, and it lets you ask the court for different orders. The form is mandatory in every California superior court, from Los Angeles to Modoc County, because it is adopted under California Rules of Court 5.92.
The form matters because California family courts run on written declarations rather than live testimony at most short hearings. Judges read FL-220 and its attached declarations before they ever see you in court, so what you write becomes the record. The plain-English meaning is simple: if you do not file FL-220, the judge has only the moving party’s story.
The consequence of skipping FL-220 is severe. Under Family Code § 213, the responding party may still appear and oppose the request orally, but most judges give little weight to surprise oral testimony when the moving party has sworn declarations on file. A real-world example: Carlos receives an RFO asking for sole legal custody of his daughter. He shows up to court with no FL-220. The judge grants temporary sole legal custody to the mother, and Carlos now has to file a new RFO and pay another filing fee to undo it.
A common misconception is that FL-220 is only for disagreement. The form is also the proper tool when you agree with part of the request, want to propose a compromise, or want to ask for additional orders related to the same issue, such as a step-up parenting schedule.
Who Must File FL-220
Any party served with an FL-300 RFO can file FL-220, including a respondent, petitioner, joined party, or registered domestic partner. The form is also used by parents in parentage cases under the Uniform Parentage Act. If you are a non-party witness, you do not file FL-220; you may file a separate declaration on form MC-030 instead.
The plain rule is that only parties to the case use FL-220. The consequence of filing it as a non-party is that the clerk may reject it or the judge may strike it. A common misconception is that grandparents automatically have standing; they must first be joined under Family Code § 3104.
When FL-220 Does Not Apply
FL-220 is not the right form for post-judgment modification responses in some courts that use FL-320 instead, though FL-320 is technically the same response form re-numbered for civil harassment-style hearings. It is also not used to respond to a Domestic Violence Restraining Order request (DV-100); that requires form DV-120 under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act.
The consequence of using the wrong form is that the clerk will reject the filing, you lose days off your nine-court-day clock, and you may miss the hearing entirely. A common misconception is that any “response” form will do; California courts strictly enforce the correct Judicial Council form under Rule of Court 1.31.
Federal and State Legal Framework
Family law is primarily a state matter, but two federal statutes shape what you can put in an FL-220. The Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1738A, forces California to honor custody orders from another state if that state had jurisdiction first. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. § 3901, lets active-duty military parents request a stay of the hearing.
Federal child support enforcement is governed by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, which is why the California Department of Child Support Services sometimes appears as a party. The plain meaning is that even though California writes the rules of FL-220, federal law sets the floor for jurisdiction and military protections. The consequence of ignoring federal preemption is that an order can be voided years later in another court.
A real-world example: Aisha files an FL-220 in San Diego asking for sole custody, but her child has lived in Texas for the past 14 months. Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), Family Code § 3421, Texas is the home state, so a California judge will likely decline jurisdiction. A common misconception is that filing first in California locks in jurisdiction; home state controls.
Key California Statutes
The core statutes that drive an FL-220 response include Family Code § 3011 for the best-interest custody factors, Family Code § 3040 for the custody preference order, and Family Code § 4055 for the statewide child support guideline. For attorney’s fees, the controlling sections are Family Code § 2030 and Family Code § 2032, which require the court to balance need and ability to pay.
The plain meaning is that every checkbox you mark on FL-220 ties back to a specific statute the judge must apply. The consequence of citing the wrong section is that the judge may treat your argument as waived. A real-world example: Brandon asks for Smith v. Ostler bonus support but cites the wrong code section; the judge denies the request without prejudice and Brandon must refile.
Key Court Rules
The two most important rules are California Rules of Court 5.92 (form requirements) and Rule 5.94 (response deadlines). Rule 5.111 caps the supporting declaration at 10 pages unless the court grants leave to exceed it. Rule 2.100 sets formatting standards for all California court filings.
The consequence of exceeding the page limit is that the judge can strike the extra pages. A common misconception is that exhibits count toward the 10-page cap; under Rule 5.111(b), exhibits do not count, but they must be authenticated.
Recapping Key California Court Rulings
Several California appellate decisions shape what goes inside a strong FL-220. In Marriage of LaMusga (2004) 32 Cal.4th 1072, the Supreme Court held that a custodial parent’s move can justify a custody change if it harms the child, which means a responding parent opposing a move-away must lay out specific harm in the FL-220 declaration. In Marriage of Burgess (1996) 13 Cal.4th 25, the Court held a custodial parent has a presumptive right to relocate, which sets the burden the responding parent must overcome.
For support, Marriage of Cheriton (2001) 92 Cal.App.4th 269 confirms that bonus and stock income count for guideline support, so a responding payor must list every income source. For attorney’s fees, Marriage of Tharp (2010) 188 Cal.App.4th 1295 requires the court to make express findings on need and ability to pay, which means your FL-220 must give the judge those facts. The consequence of leaving these facts out is that the judge has nothing to support a denial.
A real-world example: Priya opposes a move-away to Arizona. She cites LaMusga in her FL-220 declaration and lays out the child’s school stability, therapist relationship, and extended family contacts in California. The judge denies the move because Priya gave the court the LaMusga harm analysis on paper. A common misconception is that case law belongs only in attorney briefs; pro se parties may and should cite controlling cases inside the FL-220 declaration.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out FL-220
The form has a caption, six numbered sections, a signature line, and required attachments. Work top to bottom and never leave a numbered item blank; check a box or write N/A so the judge sees you considered each issue.
Caption Box (Top of Page 1)
Write the attorney or self-represented party’s name, address, phone, and email in the top-left box exactly as it appears on the original Petition (FL-100). In the Attorney For line, write Self-Represented or In Pro Per if you have no lawyer. Put the superior court branch and address in the middle box, and copy the petitioner, respondent, and case number from the FL-300 you received.
The consequence of mismatched case numbers is that the clerk may file your FL-220 in the wrong case or reject it. A real-world example: Diego writes the wrong department number; his filing sits in a holding bin and never reaches the assigned judge before the hearing. A common misconception is that you must list a department; you only list the department if it is already assigned.
Item 1: Child Custody and Visitation
Check box 1.a Consent if you agree with the proposed custody and parenting time. Check 1.b Consent with the following changes if you agree in part and want to propose modifications, then attach a Child Custody and Visitation Application Attachment (FL-311). Check 1.c Do not consent if you oppose the request entirely.
The plain rule is that the boxes are mutually exclusive on each sub-issue. The consequence of checking conflicting boxes is that the judge may default to denying both. A real-world example: Elena checks both consent and do-not-consent for legal custody; the judge sets the matter for a long-cause hearing, delaying her case six months.
Item 2: Child Support
Use box 2 to respond to a guideline child support request under Family Code § 4055. You must attach a current FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration within the last 90 days, plus your last two months of pay stubs. Check the consent or non-consent boxes and add a proposed amount on the lines provided.
The consequence of an outdated FL-150 is that the judge may impute income or use the moving party’s numbers. A common misconception is that the DissoMaster printout substitutes for FL-150; it does not.
Item 3: Spousal or Partner Support
Box 3 covers temporary spousal support under Family Code § 3600 or long-term support under Family Code § 4320. For temporary support, most counties use a guideline calculator like Santa Clara’s formula. For long-term support, you must address each of the 14 § 4320 factors in your declaration.
The consequence of skipping § 4320 factors is that the judge may decline to set long-term support and order only temporary support. A real-world example: Frank opposes long-term support but ignores § 4320(d) marital standard of living; the judge orders support based solely on the petitioner’s evidence.
Item 4: Attorney’s Fees and Costs
Box 4 responds to a need-based fee request under Family Code § 2030 or a sanction request under Family Code § 271. You must attach an FL-158 Supporting Declaration for Attorney’s Fees and a current FL-150.
The consequence of skipping FL-158 is automatic denial in many courts under local rules such as Los Angeles Local Rule 5.10. A common misconception is that § 271 sanctions need not be addressed in FL-220; you must respond or risk a sanction by default.
Item 5: Property Control
Box 5 covers exclusive use of the home, car, or other community property under Family Code §§ 6321 and 6324. You can agree, disagree, or propose a different allocation. If domestic violence is alleged, the standard shifts to the DVPA.
The consequence of ignoring property control is that the moving party may obtain exclusive use of the family home for the entire pendency of the case. A real-world example: Grace fails to oppose exclusive use of the Tesla; she loses access to the car for 18 months until trial.
Item 6: Other Relief
Box 6 is a catch-all for anything not covered above, such as travel restrictions under Family Code § 3048, passport holds, or Watts and Epstein credits. Always attach a continuation page on form MC-025 if you need more space.
The consequence of squeezing tiny text into the box is illegibility, which judges treat as not raised. A common misconception is that handwritten responses are disfavored; legible handwriting is fully acceptable under Rule of Court 2.104.
Signature, Verification, and Attachments
Sign and date the form under penalty of perjury under the laws of California. Attach the supporting declaration on form MC-030 or directly on the lines of FL-220, capped at 10 pages under Rule 5.111. Include FL-150, FL-158, FL-311, exhibits, and a Proof of Personal Service (FL-330) or Proof of Service by Mail (FL-335).
The consequence of an unsigned form is that the clerk will reject it. A common misconception is that an electronic signature is invalid; e-signatures are valid under Code of Civil Procedure § 1010.6 in mandatory e-filing counties.
Three Most Common FL-220 Scenarios
Below are three real-world response scenarios with the precise action and the resulting court outcome. Each scenario assumes the responding party files FL-220 on time with all required attachments.
Scenario 1: Custody Modification Request
| Filing Move | Court Outcome |
|---|---|
| Check box 1.c, attach FL-311 with proposed schedule, cite LaMusga harm factors, attach school records as Exhibit A | Judge sets evidentiary hearing and maintains status quo until then |
| Check box 1.a in error and consent to sole legal custody | Judge grants the moving parent sole legal custody at the hearing |
| File FL-220 one court day late without ex parte relief | Court refuses to read the response under Rule 5.94 |
Scenario 2: Child Support Increase Request
| Filing Move | Court Outcome |
|---|---|
| Check box 2.c, attach current FL-150, two months of pay stubs, and a DCSS Guideline Calculator printout | Judge runs guideline and may reduce the proposed increase |
| File FL-220 with a stale FL-150 from 18 months ago | Judge imputes income at the moving party’s stated figure |
| Skip FL-220 entirely and appear orally | Judge orders the requested amount and reserves arrears |
Scenario 3: Need-Based Attorney’s Fees Request
| Filing Move | Court Outcome |
|---|---|
| Check box 4.c, attach FL-158, FL-150, and a Tharp analysis of need and ability | Judge denies fees or orders a reduced amount |
| Argue only that the request is unfair without FL-158 | Judge grants fees as requested under § 2030 |
| File Request for Order to Set Aside (FL-300) instead of FL-220 | Clerk rejects the filing and the deadline runs |
Three Named Examples in Practice
These named examples illustrate how each step of FL-220 plays out in real California courtrooms.
Marisol is the respondent in an Alameda County dissolution. She receives an FL-300 asking for sole legal custody, $2,800 monthly child support, and $7,500 in attorney’s fees. She files FL-220 nine court days before the hearing, checks boxes 1.c, 2.c, and 4.c, attaches FL-311, FL-150, FL-158, and a 9-page MC-030 declaration. The judge orders joint legal custody, $2,150 in support, and $3,000 in fees.
Tobias is the petitioner in a Sacramento parentage case. The mother files an RFO asking to relocate to Nevada with their toddler. Tobias files FL-220, cites LaMusga and Burgess, and attaches Exhibit A showing the child’s pediatrician and preschool relationships in California. The judge denies the move pending a Family Code § 3111 custody evaluation.
Renee is a respondent in Orange County opposing exclusive use of the family home. She files FL-220, checks box 5.c, and attaches a declaration showing she pays the mortgage and has nowhere else to live. The judge orders shared use with a parenting plan instead of granting exclusive use.
Mistakes to Avoid
Avoiding these errors is often the difference between winning and losing your hearing. Each mistake below has a direct and immediate consequence.
- Filing FL-220 fewer than nine court days before the hearing, which lets the judge ignore your response under Rule 5.94
- Forgetting to attach a current FL-150 in support or fee cases, which lets the judge use the other side’s numbers
- Writing more than 10 pages of declaration without leave of court, which allows the judge to strike the excess under Rule 5.111
- Including argument and legal citations only, with no facts, which leaves the judge no admissible evidence to weigh
- Attaching unauthenticated text messages or emails as exhibits, which violates Evidence Code § 1400 and lets the court disregard them
- Serving by email in a county that has not adopted electronic service, which is invalid under CCP § 1010.6 and voids your service
- Failing to sign under penalty of perjury, which makes the entire FL-220 inadmissible as hearsay
- Checking conflicting consent boxes, which causes the judge to treat the issue as unopposed
- Asking for new affirmative relief that exceeds the scope of the FL-300 without filing your own RFO, which is barred by Rule 5.92(b)
- Ignoring the UCCJEA jurisdictional declaration FL-105 when custody is at issue, which can void any custody order entered
Do’s and Don’ts
These do’s and don’ts come from California Family Law Section best practices and the Self-Help Center guide.
Do’s:
- Do attach a current FL-150 because Family Code § 3664 requires it for any support issue
- Do cite specific Family Code sections so the judge can rule on the correct legal standard
- Do attach a proof of service because without it the court cannot confirm timely service
- Do organize exhibits with tabs and number them in your declaration so the judge can find them
- Do request a court reporter in advance because most family courts no longer provide one for short cause hearings
Don’ts:
- Don’t insult the other party because judges treat name-calling as a credibility problem under Marriage of Davenport (2011) 194 Cal.App.4th 1507
- Don’t attach the children’s mental health records without a Welfare and Institutions Code § 827 order because doing so can violate confidentiality
- Don’t recite the entire history of the marriage because the 10-page limit forces focus on the issues raised
- Don’t skip the meet and confer where local rules require it because the judge can deny relief
- Don’t file FL-220 in a DVRO case because the right form is DV-120
Pros and Cons of Filing FL-220 Pro Se
Many Californians file FL-220 without a lawyer because the State Bar reports that the median family law attorney rate exceeds $400 per hour. Going pro se has trade-offs.
Pros:
- You save thousands in attorney fees, freeing money for support payments and household needs
- You control the narrative and tone of your declaration directly
- You learn the Family Code firsthand, which helps in future hearings
- You can use the free Self-Help Center and county facilitator offices for guidance
- You can move at your own pace inside the deadline window without waiting for an attorney’s calendar
Cons:
- You risk procedural errors that an attorney would spot, like missing an FL-158
- You may misapply case law such as LaMusga or Cheriton, weakening your position
- You may struggle with cross-examination if the matter is set for evidentiary hearing
- You give up access to attorney-only resources like DissoMaster and Westlaw
- You face the same deadlines and rules as represented parties under Rule 1.6
Filing, Service, and Fees
You file the original FL-220 with the clerk in the courthouse where the case is pending, either in person, by mail, or through eFileCA in mandatory e-filing counties like Orange, Riverside, and San Diego. Service on the other party must occur at least nine court days before the hearing under Rule 5.94, with two extra calendar days added for service by mail under CCP § 1005.
The first-paper filing fee in family law cases is $435 to $450 under Government Code § 70670, but a respondent who already paid a first-paper fee owes nothing additional for FL-220. Low-income filers can request a fee waiver on form FW-001, and the court rules on it within five court days under Rule 3.55.
The consequence of missing the service deadline is the same as missing the filing deadline; the judge can disregard your response. A real-world example: Hector mails FL-220 exactly nine court days before the hearing without adding the two-day mail extension; the judge strikes the response. A common misconception is that personal service and mail service have the same clock; mail service requires the longer window.
County-Specific Local Rules
Local rules can change formatting, exhibit limits, and meet-and-confer duties. Los Angeles County Local Rule 5.10 requires a separate Statement of Issues for long-cause hearings. San Diego Local Rule 5.10.4 requires meet and confer on custody RFOs. Santa Clara Local Rule 4 imposes 24-hour courtesy copy delivery to chambers.
The consequence of ignoring local rules is that the judge can continue or deny the hearing. A common misconception is that statewide rules override local ones; both apply, and the stricter rule controls.
Required and Common Attachments
Every FL-220 should include only the attachments that match the boxes you checked, but several are nearly always needed.
- FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration for any support or fee issue
- FL-158 Supporting Declaration for Attorney’s Fees for need-based fees under § 2030
- FL-311 Child Custody and Visitation Application Attachment for any custody schedule changes
- FL-105 UCCJEA Declaration for jurisdictional facts in custody cases
- MC-025 Attachment when continuing answers from the form
- MC-030 Declaration for the supporting facts under penalty of perjury
- Proof of Service FL-335 for mail service or FL-330 for personal service
The consequence of attaching the wrong proof of service form is that the court treats service as defective. A common misconception is that you can use POS-030 instead; family law courts require the FL-series proofs of service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to file FL-220 if I agree with everything in the FL-300?
No. You can simply appear and consent on the record, but filing FL-220 with box 1.a checked creates a paper trail that protects you if the moving party later changes a term at the hearing.
Can I file FL-220 after the nine-court-day deadline?
No. Late responses can be disregarded under Rule 5.94, but you can request ex parte permission to file late under Rule 5.151 by showing good cause.
Do I have to pay a filing fee for FL-220?
No. A party who already paid the first-paper fee owes nothing more, and low-income filers can apply for a fee waiver on FW-001 when a fee does apply.
Can I ask for new orders in FL-220 that the FL-300 did not request?
No. New affirmative relief outside the scope of the FL-300 generally requires your own Request for Order on FL-300 under Rule 5.92.
Does my supporting declaration count toward the 10-page limit?
Yes. The declaration counts, but exhibits do not under Rule 5.111(b), so move long narratives into authenticated exhibits when possible.
Can I serve FL-220 by email?
Yes. Email service is valid only if the other party consented in writing or the court ordered electronic service under CCP § 1010.6.
Do I need to attach FL-150 if support is not at issue?
No. FL-150 is required only when support, fees, or sanctions are requested, but attaching it voluntarily can help on issues like ability to comply with travel orders.
Can I withdraw my FL-220 before the hearing?
Yes. You may withdraw or amend it at any time before the hearing, but you must serve any amendment on the other party with enough time for them to respond.
Will the judge read my FL-220 before the hearing?
Yes. Most California family law judges read the FL-300 and FL-220 in advance because hearings are short, often 20 minutes per matter, so a clear declaration is critical.
Can a non-California parent file FL-220 from out of state?
Yes. A parent served with an FL-300 can file FL-220 from anywhere, but jurisdictional objections under the UCCJEA must be raised in the response or they are waived.
Do I have to attend the hearing if I file FL-220?
Yes. You should attend in person or by remote appearance under Code of Civil Procedure § 367.75, because a no-show often results in the judge granting the moving party’s requests.
Is FL-220 used in domestic violence cases?
No. Respond to a DV-100 using DV-120 instead, because the Domestic Violence Prevention Act controls those proceedings.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-105 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-200 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-300 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-340 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-341 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-600 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-120 (w/Examples) + FAQs