You modify a California child, spousal, or family support order by filing Form FL-700, the Request for Order: Simplified Procedure to Modify Support, with the same superior court that issued the original order. This streamlined form lets you ask a judge to raise, lower, or end support when your finances, custody time, or family situation changes in a real and lasting way.
According to the California Department of Child Support Services, more than 1.1 million open child support cases moved through California courts in fiscal year 2023, and roughly one in five involved a modification request. Filing the wrong form, missing a financial attachment, or skipping proper service can delay your hearing by months and cost you thousands in unadjusted support.
Here is what this guide covers:
- 📝 Line-by-line walkthrough of every box on Form FL-700
- 💵 How to attach an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) the right way
- ⚖️ The legal “change in circumstances” standard judges actually apply
- 👨👩👧 Real named-filer examples for child, spousal, and family support
- ❓ Answers to the 12 most-asked FL-700 questions in 2026
What Form FL-700 Is and When to Use It
Form FL-700 is California’s simplified request to change an existing support order. The Judicial Council released it under California Rules of Court, Rule 5.260 so parents and former spouses can ask for a modification without filing the longer Form FL-300 Request for Order. The form is a fillable PDF you can download from the California Courts self-help site.
You can use FL-700 only if the support order already exists in California and you want to modify the dollar amount, end the order, or change who pays. You cannot use FL-700 to create a first-time order, to change custody, or to ask for attorney’s fees. For those, you need a different request, usually FL-300.
The form follows authority granted by Family Code § 3651, which lets a court modify or terminate a support order at any time the court considers necessary. The statute exists because incomes, jobs, and custody time shift, and a frozen order can crush the paying parent or starve the receiving parent. The consequence of ignoring this rule is harsh: support keeps accruing at the old rate, and arrears in California carry 10% statutory interest under Code of Civil Procedure § 685.010.
A common misconception is that you and the other parent can simply “agree” to lower support by text or email. That agreement has zero legal force until a judge signs a new order. Many parents have learned this the hard way when arrears surfaced years later.
Three Types of Support You Can Modify
Form FL-700 covers three distinct support categories, and you must check the correct box on page 1.
Child support is money one parent pays the other for a child’s needs, calculated by the statewide guideline in Family Code § 4055. The guideline plugs each parent’s net disposable income and timeshare into the formula judges run through software like DissoMaster or XSpouse. If you skip this calculation, the judge cannot rule, and the hearing is wasted.
Spousal or domestic partner support is post-separation income paid between former spouses or registered partners. After a final judgment, judges weigh the Family Code § 4320 factors again to decide if a change is fair. A common misconception is that spousal support is automatic; it is not, and a payor who fails to file FL-700 keeps paying the old amount even after retirement.
Family support is a combined child-and-spousal payment used for tax planning. After the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ended the federal alimony deduction, family support fell out of favor, but older orders still exist and are modifiable through FL-700.
The Legal Standard: “Material Change of Circumstances”
To win an FL-700, you must show a material change of circumstances since the last order. This rule comes from In re Marriage of Laudeman (2001) 92 Cal.App.4th 1009 and was reinforced in In re Marriage of Bodo (2011) 198 Cal.App.4th 373. The standard exists so courts are not flooded with re-litigation of the same facts.
The consequence of failing this test is dismissal, plus possible sanctions under Family Code § 271 if the judge thinks the filing wasted court time. Sanctions can run into the thousands.
A real-world example: Marcus in San Bernardino lost 30% of his pay when his trucking route was cut. He filed FL-700 with three months of pay stubs and a layoff letter. The judge granted the modification because the change was involuntary, lasting, and documented. Without those three pieces, Marcus would have walked out with the same order he came in with.
A common misconception is that any dip in income qualifies. It does not. Voluntary unemployment, a short-term bonus loss, or a one-time expense will usually fail.
Examples That Usually Qualify
- Job loss not caused by misconduct
- A raise of 10% or more for the other parent
- Custody timeshare shift of 10 percentage points or more
- Long-term disability or serious illness
- Retirement at normal age under Family Code § 4326
- Incarceration of 90+ days under Family Code § 4007.5
- Birth of a new child the payor must support
- Remarriage of the supported spouse (ends spousal support automatically per Family Code § 4337)
Each item must be shown with hard proof: pay stubs, tax returns, custody calendars, medical records, or a marriage certificate. The reasoning is simple. Judges decide on evidence, not on stories.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Each Section of FL-700
Open the fillable FL-700 PDF in Adobe Acrobat or your browser. Save a copy before typing so you can edit later. Use the official Judicial Council instructions FL-700-INFO as a companion.
Caption Box (Top of Page 1)
Enter your name, address, phone, email, and California State Bar number if you have a lawyer. If you are self-represented, write In Pro Per on the attorney line. The address you list is where the court mails everything, so a wrong address means missed hearings and a default ruling against you.
Next, write the county superior court that issued the order, the petitioner’s name, the respondent’s name, and the case number. The case number sits on every prior filing; copying it wrong sends your paperwork to the wrong file. A common mistake is using the federal Title IV-D case number; always use the family law case number.
Section 1: Who Is Asking and What You Want
Check the box that identifies you as petitioner, respondent, or other parent. Then check the box for the type of support you want changed: child, spousal/partner, or family. You may check more than one if all three exist in the order.
State whether you want support increased, decreased, or terminated, and write the proposed new monthly amount. If you do not yet know the guideline number, write “according to guideline” and attach a DissoMaster printout at the hearing. The consequence of leaving this box blank is a continuance, which adds 30 to 90 days.
Section 2: Children Covered
List each child by first name, age, and date of birth only. Never list a full name or Social Security number on a public filing; that violates California Rules of Court, Rule 1.20. The clerk can reject the form, and identity-theft risk is real.
If a child has aged out (turned 18 and graduated, or turned 19), check the terminate as to this child box. Under Family Code § 3901, child support ends at 18, or 19 if still in high school full-time and unmarried. Many payors keep paying past these ages because they never filed FL-700 to end the order.
Section 3: Reason for the Change
This is the heart of the form. Briefly describe the change of circumstances in plain English. Examples: “My income dropped from $7,500 to $4,200 per month because my employer eliminated my position on March 3, 2026.”
Attach a separate sheet labeled Attachment 3 if you need more space, but keep it under two pages. Judges read these on busy calendars and reward clarity. The consequence of vague language (“things have changed”) is a denial without prejudice.
Section 4: Income and Expense Declaration
Check the box confirming you are attaching a current Form FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration dated within the last 90 days. If your case qualifies under Family Code § 4065, you may use the simpler Form FL-155 Financial Statement (Simplified) instead.
Attach your last two months of pay stubs and last federal tax return to the FL-150, as required by Family Code § 3665. Filing without these documents is the #1 reason FL-700s are rejected at intake.
Section 5: Hearing Date and Time
Leave the date and time blank. The clerk fills these in when you file. Some counties, like Los Angeles Superior Court, use online reservation systems where you pick the date; check the local rules before filing.
Signature and Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury
Sign and date the bottom of page 2 under penalty of perjury per Code of Civil Procedure § 2015.5. Lying on this form is perjury, a felony under Penal Code § 118. Sign with blue ink so the clerk can tell the original from copies.
Required Companion Forms and Attachments
FL-700 rarely travels alone. Most filings need a small stack of supporting forms. Missing any one of them is the fastest path to a continued hearing.
Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150)
The FL-150 is a four-page sworn statement of income, deductions, assets, and expenses. Fill out every line; writing “N/A” is fine, but blank lines invite a judge to assume the worst. Attach two months of pay stubs to page 4.
A common mistake is reporting gross pay where the form asks for net, or vice versa. The guideline formula needs both, and a wrong number produces a wrong support amount. The consequence is overpayment or underpayment that compounds every month until corrected.
Financial Statement Simplified (FL-155)
If your only income is wages, you have no rental property, and you do not own a business, you may file the shorter FL-155. It is two pages and skips investment income.
Self-employed parents must always use FL-150 because Schedule C income, depreciation add-backs, and personal expenses run through a business require disclosure under In re Marriage of Riddle (2005) 125 Cal.App.4th 1075. Using FL-155 when you should have used FL-150 is grounds for sanctions.
Proof of Service (FL-335)
You must serve the other side at least 16 court days before the hearing, plus extra time for mail, per Code of Civil Procedure § 1005(b). Service is done by an adult who is not a party to the case, and the server signs Form FL-335 Proof of Service by Mail.
The consequence of bad service is automatic: the judge will not hear your case, and you start over. Many DIY filers serve the other parent themselves, which is invalid under Code of Civil Procedure § 1013a.
Other Useful Forms
- FL-192 Notice of Rights and Responsibilities – attached automatically by clerk in child support cases
- FL-141 Declaration Regarding Service of Disclosure – needed if disclosures were never exchanged
- FL-435 Earnings Assignment – wage garnishment after the new order issues
- FW-001 Fee Waiver – if filing fees are a hardship
Three Real-World Filing Scenarios
Below are the three most common FL-700 fact patterns, each with a named filer.
Scenario 1: Job Loss and Child Support Decrease
| Filer’s Action | Court Consequence |
|---|---|
| Maria in Los Angeles loses her nursing job, files FL-700, attaches termination letter and FL-150 | Judge lowers child support from $1,400 to $620 retroactive to filing date |
| Maria waits six months before filing | Six months of arrears accrue at the old $1,400 rate, plus 10% interest |
| Maria files but forgets pay stubs | Hearing continued 60 days, support stays at $1,400 in the meantime |
Scenario 2: Custody Timeshare Shift
| Filer’s Action | Court Consequence |
|---|---|
| David in Sacramento goes from 20% to 50% custody, files FL-700 with new parenting plan | Guideline support recalculates; David’s payment drops by ~40% |
| David assumes the change is automatic | Old timeshare keeps applying, he overpays for years |
| David files FL-700 but skips DissoMaster printout | Judge orders him to return with the calculation, hearing delayed |
Scenario 3: Retirement and Spousal Support
| Filer’s Action | Court Consequence |
|---|---|
| Linda in San Diego retires at age 67, files FL-700 to end spousal support | Court terminates support under Family Code § 4326 retirement rule |
| Linda retires early at 58 voluntarily | Judge imputes prior income, support continues |
| Linda files without proof of retirement date | Continuance; she pays full support two more months |
Mistakes to Avoid When Filing FL-700
Even careful filers stumble on the same traps. Each error below has a direct, painful consequence.
- Filing FL-700 to set first-time support. The form is for modifications only. Use FL-300 instead. Wrong form = rejected at intake.
- Listing children’s full names or SSNs. Violates Rule 1.20 and creates identity-theft risk.
- Skipping the FL-150 attachment. Without current income proof, the judge has no basis to recalculate guideline support.
- Serving the other parent yourself. Personal service by a party is void under CCP § 1013a. Use a third-party adult.
- Missing the 16-court-day deadline. Late service forces a continuance and another month of old support.
- Forgetting to bring pay stubs to the hearing. Judges want fresh numbers, not 90-day-old data.
- Asking for retroactivity before filing date. Family Code § 3653 caps retroactive relief at the filing date, not the date your income changed.
- Using FL-155 when self-employed. You must use FL-150 to disclose business income.
- Ignoring the local rules. Counties like Orange and Alameda have unique cover sheets and tentative-ruling systems.
- Failing to request termination of an aged-out child’s support. The order keeps running until you file.
- Lying about income. Perjury under Penal Code § 118 plus sanctions under Family Code § 271.
County-Specific Nuances
California has 58 superior courts, and local rules vary. Below are quick notes on the biggest counties.
In Los Angeles, FL-700 hearings are heard at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse and outlying family law districts. LA requires reservation through the Court Reservation System (CRS) before filing.
In San Diego, parents must complete a mandatory family law mediation before any custody-linked support hearing. Skipping this drops your case off calendar.
In Orange County, tentative rulings post the day before the hearing on the court website, and you must call by 4:30 p.m. to contest. Forgetting to call accepts the tentative.
In Alameda, the Hayward Hall of Justice handles most modifications, and judges expect parties to meet and confer before the hearing.
Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Why |
|---|---|
| File the day income changes | Caps retroactive arrears at filing date per Family Code § 3653 |
| Attach DissoMaster printout | Saves the judge time and shows you did the math |
| Use blue ink for signatures | Clerks tell originals from copies instantly |
| Keep copies of every page | Lost filings happen; you need proof |
| Check local rules before filing | Each county has unique cover sheets and reservation systems |
| Don’t | Why |
|---|---|
| Don’t list full child SSNs | Violates Rule 1.20, risks identity theft |
| Don’t serve papers yourself | Service void under CCP § 1013a |
| Don’t guess income numbers | Perjury exposure and wrong guideline result |
| Don’t skip mediation in custody-linked cases | Many counties drop case off calendar |
| Don’t argue custody on FL-700 | Wrong form; use FL-300 |
Pros and Cons of Using FL-700
| Pros | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Free fillable PDF | No software cost |
| Shorter than FL-300 | Faster to complete |
| Same legal weight as FL-300 | Judges accept it equally |
| Self-help guides available | Self-help center walks through each box |
| Caps retroactive arrears | Filing date locks in new support |
| Cons | Why It Hurts |
|---|---|
| Limited to support modifications | Cannot raise custody or fees |
| Strict attachment rules | One missing form = continuance |
| Service errors common | DIY filers often mis-serve |
| County rules differ | LA, SD, OC each layered with local rules |
| Hearing wait times long | 60–120 days typical in 2026 |
Filing, Service, and Hearing Process
After filling out FL-700 and attachments, file at the clerk’s office in person, by mail, or through eFileCA where available. The filing fee is $60 under Government Code § 70617, waivable with FW-001.
The clerk stamps the documents, assigns a hearing date, and returns conformed copies. Have a non-party adult mail or hand-deliver the conformed packet to the other parent at least 16 court days plus 5 calendar days before the hearing. The server completes FL-335, which you file before the hearing.
At the hearing, bring three copies of every document, your photo ID, and current pay stubs. Judges in California family court hear FL-700 motions on short cause calendars, often 15 minutes per case. Speak only when addressed, refer to yourself as petitioner or respondent, and answer only the question asked.
If the judge grants the modification, request that the new order be prepared on Form FL-342 Child Support Order Attachment or FL-343 Spousal/Partner Support Order Attachment. The order takes effect the date the judge signs, retroactive to filing date.
Recap of Key Court Rulings
The cases below shape every FL-700 hearing in California today. Knowing them helps you frame your declaration.
In re Marriage of Laudeman confirms that the moving party bears the burden of proving a material change. A 5% income wobble is rarely enough.
In re Marriage of Bodo clarified that even stipulated support orders can be modified by FL-700 if circumstances genuinely change. This case rejected the argument that “we agreed, so it cannot change.”
In re Marriage of Riddle requires the court to use a representative income period, not a single high or low month. Bring 12 months of records when income swings.
In re Marriage of Reynolds (1998) 63 Cal.App.4th 1373 established that no parent may be ordered to work past normal retirement age simply to maintain support, the foundation of Family Code § 4326.
Recent California Updates Affecting FL-700 Filings
In 2024, SB 343 tightened the low-income adjustment under Family Code § 4055, raising the threshold to $2,773.33 net monthly disposable income as of September 1, 2024. The Department of Child Support Services notice explains the new self-support reserve.
In 2025, the Judicial Council updated FL-150 and FL-155 to add electronic signature lines and dependent-care lines, so make sure you download the 2024 or later revision before filing. Older versions are rejected.
FAQs
Can I file FL-700 if my support order came from another state?
No. FL-700 is a California form. If the order is from another state, register it first under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) using FL-580, then file FL-700 in California.
Can I get the modification retroactive to when my income dropped?
No. Under Family Code § 3653, retroactivity is capped at the filing date of FL-700. Every month you wait is a month at the old amount.
Can I use FL-700 to end spousal support after my ex remarries?
Yes. Spousal support ends automatically at remarriage under Family Code § 4337, but you still file FL-700 to update the official order and stop wage garnishment.
Can I serve FL-700 myself by handing it to the other parent?
No. A party cannot serve their own papers under CCP § 1013a. A non-party adult must serve and sign Form FL-335.
Can I file FL-700 without a lawyer?
Yes. Thousands of California parents file FL-700 In Pro Per every year using the free self-help center at each courthouse for line-by-line help.
Can I modify a child support order if I moved out of California?
Yes, if California still has continuing exclusive jurisdiction under Family Code § 4909. Otherwise, file in your new state’s court.
Can incarceration reduce my child support?
Yes. Under Family Code § 4007.5, support is suspended for sentences of 90 days or longer unless the inmate has means to pay.
Can I increase support without proving the other parent’s income?
No. You must show their income through pay stubs, tax returns, or a subpoena. Without numbers, the judge cannot run the guideline formula.
Can FL-700 be filed by the local child support agency?
Yes. The Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) files modifications on behalf of parents receiving public assistance, free of charge.
Can I terminate child support when my child turns 18?
Yes, but only if the child has graduated high school or turned 19, per Family Code § 3901. File FL-700 to officially close the order.
Can I avoid a hearing if both parents agree to the new amount?
Yes. Use a Stipulation to Establish or Modify Child Support (FL-350) instead, signed by both parents and the judge.
Can the judge deny my FL-700 even if my income dropped?
Yes. If the drop is voluntary, temporary, or unsupported by evidence, the judge can deny relief and even impose sanctions under Family Code § 271.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-300 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California FL-150 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-155 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-191 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-235 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-270 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-120 (w/Examples) + FAQs