California Form FL-906, the Order on Joinder—Employee Benefit Plan, is the Judicial Council form a family law judge signs to formally bring a retirement plan, pension, or employee benefit plan into a divorce or legal separation case so the court can divide the community property interest in that plan. The form is filed in California Superior Court under California Rules of Court 5.24 and Family Code sections 2060–2065, and the current revision date printed on the bottom-left corner is Rev. January 1, 2012.
If a spouse forgets to join the plan, the divorce judgment cannot legally bind the plan administrator, which means the awarded share of the 401(k), CalPERS account, or military Thrift plan may never reach the non-employee spouse. The Judicial Council reports that family law filings exceed 350,000 new dissolution cases per year in California, and the Department of Labor estimates that more than 30% of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders are rejected on first submission because of joinder or naming errors.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📄 What FL-906 does and exactly which plans must be joined under California law
- 🖊️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every box, checkbox, and signature line on the form
- 👨👩👧 Three real filled-out scenarios (private 401(k), CalPERS teacher, and military Thrift)
- 🏛️ How to file FL-906 in person, by mail, and through county e-filing portals
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes that get joinder orders rejected and how to prevent them
What Form FL-906 Is and Who Must File It
California Form FL-906 is the Order on Joinder—Employee Benefit Plan. It is the proposed order a party hands the family law judge after filing a Request for Joinder of Employee Benefit Plan (FL-370), a Pleading on Joinder—Employee Benefit Plan (FL-372), and a Summons (Joinder) (FL-375). Once the judge signs FL-906, the employee benefit plan becomes a “claimant” in the dissolution case and is bound by the eventual judgment.
The form is filed by the petitioner or respondent in any California dissolution, legal separation, or nullity case where one spouse has an interest in a retirement, pension, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, ESOP, or other employee benefit plan. Self-represented spouses, family law attorneys, and certified family law specialists all use the same form, and the rules are governed by the statewide California Rules of Court 5.24.
Plan administrators do not file FL-906 themselves, but they receive a stamped copy after the judge signs it. Common plans joined through this form include private 401(k) plans governed by ERISA, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), county retirement systems under the 1937 Act, and federal plans such as the Thrift Savings Plan for military and federal employees. The consequence of skipping joinder is severe: a Qualified Domestic Relations Order or DRO entered against an unjoined plan is not enforceable, and the non-employee spouse may lose tens of thousands of dollars in benefits.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gathering everything before you open the PDF saves hours of back-and-forth with the family law clerk. The Judicial Council’s self-help joinder page explains that an incomplete packet is the single biggest reason joinders are rejected at intake.
- Case caption details. Court name, branch, full names of petitioner and respondent, and the case number assigned at filing. Without this, the clerk cannot match FL-906 to your case file.
- The exact legal name of the employee benefit plan. Use the name printed on the Summary Plan Description, not a nickname like “my husband’s 401(k).” A wrong plan name voids the order.
- The plan administrator’s mailing address. Joinder is served on the administrator, and a wrong address means the plan never receives the summons.
- The employee spouse’s full legal name and date of birth. The plan must match the participant in its records, or it will reject the QDRO that follows.
- A filed and conformed copy of FL-370 (Request for Joinder). FL-906 cannot be granted without this.
- A filed and conformed copy of FL-372 (Pleading on Joinder). This is the substantive complaint against the plan.
- A filed and conformed copy of FL-375 (Summons—Joinder). This is what gets served on the plan.
- The first-appearance filing fee for the joined party, currently around $435–$450 depending on county, paid when FL-371 is filed. FL-906 itself has no separate fee, per the Statewide Civil Fee Schedule.
- Proof of service showing the other spouse received the joinder packet. Without proof of service, the judge will not sign FL-906.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope if you are filing by mail and want a conformed copy returned.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, current FL-906 PDF lives on the California Courts website. Always download the official Form FL-906 PDF directly from the Judicial Council so you get the version with embedded fillable fields and the correct Rev. January 1, 2012 footer.
You can also access FL-906 through the Judicial Council Forms portal by filtering on “FL” or searching the form number. Some county self-help centers, including the Los Angeles Superior Court Self-Help Center and the San Diego Family Law Facilitator, keep printed copies for walk-in filers.
Never download FL-906 from a third-party form mill. Outdated revisions are still floating around the internet, and a clerk will reject any version that does not show the current revision date in the bottom-left corner. Filling out the PDF on a computer using Adobe Reader is strongly recommended over handwriting because the family law clerk’s optical scanner reads typed entries more reliably and reduces the chance of a rejection for “illegible” entries.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out FL-906 Line by Line
FL-906 fits on a single page, but every box matters. Use the official FL-906 instructions inside Rule 5.24 as your reference while you work top-to-bottom.
Attorney or Party Without Attorney Box (Top Left)
This top-left box asks who is preparing the form. In plain English, the court wants to know who is responsible for the order so it knows where to send notices.
To answer it, type your full legal name on the first line, your State Bar number if you are an attorney (leave blank if you are pro per), your firm name if applicable, your full mailing address with city, state, and ZIP, and your telephone, fax, and email. Use all caps where the form uses all caps and format the phone number as (555) 123-4567.
For example, Maria Lopez, a self-represented petitioner, writes MARIA LOPEZ, 1422 ELM STREET, APT 3B, SAN JOSE, CA 95112, (408) 555-0144, maria.lopez@email.com in this box.
A nuance: if you have a P.O. Box only, list the P.O. Box, but California courts also require a physical address for service of process if you are an attorney; pro pers may use a P.O. Box alone if they have no street address.
A common mistake is leaving the email blank. The consequence is that the court cannot send you electronic notice, and you may miss the date the judge signs FL-906, which delays your QDRO by weeks.
A misconception filers carry is that this box is the same as the box on FL-370. It is not — you must retype this information on every Judicial Council form, even if it duplicates earlier filings.
Attorney For (Name) Field
This field asks who you represent. In plain English, are you filing on behalf of the petitioner, the respondent, or yourself?
Write Petitioner in Pro Per if you are the petitioner without a lawyer, Respondent in Pro Per if you are the respondent without one, or the client’s name if you are an attorney. Use the same wording the rest of your case file uses.
For example, attorney David Chen, SBN 245678 writes Respondent, John Lopez in this field when filing for the husband.
A nuance: if you are an attorney joining a third party’s plan, you still represent your client (the spouse), not the plan. Never write the plan’s name here.
A common mistake is writing Self instead of In Pro Per. The consequence is a clerk rejection because California requires the In Pro Per designation on family law forms.
A misconception is that pro pers cannot use this box. They can and must — leaving it blank causes the clerk to reject the form for “incomplete caption.”
Superior Court of California, County Of
This line asks which California county’s Superior Court is hearing your case. The court the form names must match the court where you filed your divorce petition.
Type the county name in all caps, such as LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO, or ALAMEDA, on the line provided. Below it, fill in the street address, mailing address (if different), city and ZIP, and the branch name where your case is assigned.
For example, Maria’s case is at the Santa Clara County Superior Court Family Justice Center, so she writes SANTA CLARA, 201 N. FIRST STREET, SAN JOSE, CA 95113, FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER COURTHOUSE.
A nuance: if your county uses multiple branches for family law (Los Angeles uses Stanley Mosk, Lamoreaux Justice Center for Orange, etc.), name the exact branch where your case sits, not the main courthouse.
A common mistake is naming the wrong branch. The consequence is the order gets routed to the wrong judge’s queue and may sit unsigned for weeks.
A misconception is that the county alone is enough. It is not — California Rule of Court 2.100 requires the full courthouse address and branch.
Petitioner, Respondent, and Other Parent/Party Boxes
This section asks who the parties to the case are. The court must match this caption letter-for-letter to the petition (FL-100) on file.
Type the petitioner’s full legal name on the Petitioner line, the respondent’s full legal name on the Respondent line, and leave Other Parent/Party blank unless your case has a third parent (typical in parentage cases, not in standard dissolutions).
For example, Maria writes MARIA LOPEZ as Petitioner and CARLOS LOPEZ as Respondent.
A nuance: if a spouse has changed names mid-case, use the name on the original FL-100 petition, not the new one, unless the court has granted a name-change order.
A common mistake is using a maiden name when the petition used a married name. The consequence is the clerk rejects the form for caption mismatch.
A misconception is that nicknames are fine. They are not — the court matches captions strictly, so Mike instead of Michael causes rejection.
Case Number Box
This is the unique number assigned to your dissolution case when you filed the petition. The court uses it to file FL-906 in the correct case folder.
Copy the case number exactly as printed on your filed FL-100 or any conformed order, including all letters, digits, dashes, and the division prefix if your county uses one. Format examples: 23FL001234 in Los Angeles, D-12345 in San Diego.
For example, Maria’s case number is 23FL004567, so she types 23FL004567 in this box.
A nuance: a few counties append a department code (such as -D14). Include it if it appears on your filed petition.
A common mistake is transposing digits. The consequence is the order is filed in the wrong case, which can take weeks to fix.
A misconception is that lowercase versus uppercase doesn’t matter. Some county case-management systems are case-sensitive, so always match the exact format on your filed petition.
Item 1: Hearing Information (Date, Time, Department, Judge)
This block asks when and where the joinder hearing was held. The judge fills it in if there was a hearing; you fill in the Judicial Officer and Department lines if known.
Type the hearing date in MM/DD/YYYY format, the time as 9:00 a.m., the department number such as Department 15, and the judge’s full name such as Hon. Patricia Wong. If joinder was granted without a hearing (allowed under Rule 5.24(c) when uncontested), check the box that says “No hearing was held”.
For example, Maria’s joinder is uncontested, so she checks the No hearing was held box and leaves the date and time blank.
A nuance: many counties grant uncontested joinders on a “drop-off” or “submit” basis, which means no hearing — always check with your court’s family law clerk before scheduling.
A common mistake is filling in a hearing date when none was set. The consequence is the judge crosses it out and may return the form for retyping.
A misconception is that a hearing is always required. It is not — Rule 5.24(c) allows joinder by stipulation or default without a hearing.
Item 2: Findings — Joinder Granted
This box is the court’s finding that joinder is proper. The judge selects whether the request is granted or denied.
Check the box at item 2a stating that the Request for Joinder of Employee Benefit Plan is granted. Leave 2b (denied) blank — you only check that if you are submitting a denial order.
For example, Maria checks 2a and leaves 2b blank because she wants the plan joined.
A nuance: if your spouse opposed joinder and the judge denied it, you would check 2b instead and skip items 3–5; this almost never happens for retirement plans because joinder is mandatory under Rule 5.24(b).
A common mistake is checking both boxes. The consequence is the judge cannot tell what you want and returns the form unsigned.
A misconception is that the filer doesn’t pre-check this box. You do — judges expect a clean proposed order with the requested outcome already marked.
Item 3: Name and Address of Employee Benefit Plan
This is the most important box on the form. It identifies which plan is being joined. The plan administrator only honors orders that name the plan exactly.
Type the plan’s full legal name on the Name line and the administrator’s mailing address on the Address line. Pull both from the most recent Summary Plan Description or the plan’s official QDRO procedures document.
For example, Maria writes ACME CORPORATION 401(K) RETIREMENT PLAN, c/o FIDELITY INVESTMENTS QDRO CENTER, P.O. BOX 770003, CINCINNATI, OH 45277-0093.
A nuance: for CalPERS, the legal name is California Public Employees’ Retirement System and the address is P.O. Box 942709, Sacramento, CA 94229-2709; for the Thrift Savings Plan, the legal name is Thrift Savings Plan and the address is the TSP Legal Processing Unit in Frostburg, MD.
A common mistake is naming the employer instead of the plan. The consequence is rejection — Acme Corporation is not the plan; the Acme Corporation 401(k) Retirement Plan is.
A misconception is that listing a branch HR office is sufficient. It is not — service must go to the official QDRO/legal address, not a local HR desk.
Item 4: Joinder Effective Date
This box sets the date joinder takes effect. By default, it is the date the judge signs the order, but the form lets you back-date in narrow circumstances.
Leave the date blank for the judge to insert at signing, or check the box stating as of the date this order is signed. Most filers check the latter for clarity.
For example, Maria checks the as of the date this order is signed option.
A nuance: if a court has granted a nunc pro tunc effective date because of clerical delay, type that earlier date here — but only with prior court approval.
A common mistake is writing today’s date when the judge signs weeks later. The consequence is the plan rejects the order because the effective date pre-dates the judge’s signature.
A misconception is that filers cannot influence this. They can — checking the as of the date signed box avoids confusion.
Item 5: Service Requirements
This box tells the petitioner how the signed FL-906, along with FL-370, FL-372, and FL-375, must be served on the plan administrator. The court orders that service be made in compliance with Code of Civil Procedure section 415.10 (personal service) or section 415.30 (notice and acknowledgment).
Check the pre-printed box that says the joining party must serve the plan within a specified number of days; if the form has a blank, write 30 days, which is the customary deadline.
For example, Maria types 30 in the days field.
A nuance: ERISA plans often prefer service via certified mail with acknowledgment under CCP 415.30, while CalPERS accepts personal service or certified mail.
A common mistake is failing to file Proof of Service (POS-010) after service. The consequence is the plan is not legally bound, and your eventual QDRO is unenforceable.
A misconception is that mailing alone is enough. It is not — you must file a Proof of Service form with the court after service is completed.
Judge’s Signature Line and Date
This is where the judicial officer signs and dates the order. You never sign here — the judge does, and the clerk conforms a copy back to you.
Leave both the Date line and the Judicial Officer signature line blank. Below it, the form has a printed line JUDICIAL OFFICER — leave that blank too unless you know the assigned judge’s name and the court instructs you to type it.
For example, Maria leaves all three lines blank for the judge to complete.
A nuance: some counties (notably Orange and San Diego) prefer the assigned judge’s name be typed below the signature line; check your county’s local rules.
A common mistake is the filer signing the line. The consequence is the order is void and must be redone on a fresh form.
A misconception is that a court commissioner cannot sign. Commissioners with stipulated authority under Code of Civil Procedure 259 can sign FL-906, especially on uncontested joinders.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three named filers show how FL-906 looks in practice. Each entry tracks one person from caption to signature.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Private 401(k) Joinder (15-Year Marriage)
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney/Party box | MARIA LOPEZ, 1422 ELM ST APT 3B, SAN JOSE, CA 95112, (408) 555-0144 |
| Attorney For | Petitioner in Pro Per |
| Superior Court / County | SANTA CLARA — 201 N. FIRST STREET, SAN JOSE, CA 95113 |
| Petitioner / Respondent | MARIA LOPEZ / CARLOS LOPEZ |
| Case Number | 23FL004567 |
| Item 1 (Hearing) | Checks No hearing was held |
| Item 3 (Plan name & address) | ACME CORPORATION 401(K) RETIREMENT PLAN, c/o FIDELITY QDRO CENTER, P.O. BOX 770003, CINCINNATI, OH 45277 |
| Item 4 (Effective date) | Checks as of the date this order is signed |
| Item 5 (Service) | 30 days, certified mail under CCP 415.30 |
| Signature lines | Left blank for the family law judge |
Scenario 2: Janet Reyes — CalPERS Teacher Pension Joinder (28-Year Marriage)
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney/Party box | JANET REYES, 88 OAKWOOD AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95822, (916) 555-0177 |
| Attorney For | Respondent in Pro Per |
| Superior Court / County | SACRAMENTO — 3341 POWER INN RD, SACRAMENTO, CA 95826, WILLIAM R. RIDGEWAY FAMILY RELATIONS COURTHOUSE |
| Petitioner / Respondent | MICHAEL REYES / JANET REYES |
| Case Number | 24FL001902 |
| Item 1 (Hearing) | 03/12/2026, 8:30 a.m., Department 122, Hon. Lisa Park |
| Item 3 (Plan name & address) | CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM, P.O. BOX 942709, SACRAMENTO, CA 94229-2709 |
| Item 4 (Effective date) | as of the date this order is signed |
| Item 5 (Service) | 30 days, personal service per CCP 415.10 |
| Signature lines | Left blank for Judge Park |
Scenario 3: Sergeant Marcus Hall — Thrift Savings Plan Joinder (Military, 12-Year Marriage)
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Attorney/Party box | MARCUS HALL, 4521 BASE LOOP, OCEANSIDE, CA 92054, (760) 555-0199 |
| Attorney For | Petitioner in Pro Per |
| Superior Court / County | SAN DIEGO — 1100 UNION ST, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101, CENTRAL DIVISION |
| Petitioner / Respondent | MARCUS HALL / AISHA HALL |
| Case Number | D-562341 |
| Item 1 (Hearing) | Checks No hearing was held (uncontested) |
| Item 3 (Plan name & address) | THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN, TSP LEGAL PROCESSING UNIT, P.O. BOX 4390, FAIRFAX, VA 22038-4390 |
| Item 4 (Effective date) | as of the date this order is signed |
| Item 5 (Service) | 30 days, certified mail with return receipt |
| Signature lines | Left blank for the assigned commissioner |
How to File the Completed FL-906
FL-906 is filed in the same county Superior Court that holds your dissolution case. You may file in person, by mail, or through your county’s e-filing portal, and the Judicial Council e-filing roster lists approved vendors county-by-county.
In person. Bring the original FL-906, two copies, and your conformed FL-370/FL-372/FL-375 packet to the family law clerk’s window. Address example: Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. There is no fee for FL-906 itself, though the underlying FL-371 first-appearance fee of $435–$450 applies. Payment methods include cash, check payable to Clerk of the Superior Court, money order, or credit card. Processing time is same-day stamp-in; judge signature usually takes 7–21 days. Keep the conformed copy as proof of filing.
By mail. Send the original, two copies, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and your packet to the family law division of the courthouse. San Diego mail address example: P.O. Box 122724, San Diego, CA 92112-2724. No FL-906 fee; pay underlying joinder fee by check. Processing runs 14–30 days. Your conformed copy returned by mail is your proof.
E-filing. Most counties now mandate e-filing for represented parties through vendors like One Legal, File & ServeXpress, or Tyler Odyssey eFileCA. Upload the PDF, pay the underlying joinder fee by credit card or eCheck, and receive an email confirmation within minutes. Judge signature lands in your portal inbox in 5–14 days. The eFile receipt is your proof of filing.
In person at self-help. Many courts, like the Alameda County Self-Help Center, will review FL-906 before you submit it. No fee for review. Same-day filing afterward, and the conformed copy is your proof.
What Happens After You File FL-906
After you file, the family law clerk routes the proposed order to the assigned department for the judge’s review. The judge either signs FL-906 as submitted, edits it, or rejects it with a Notice of Rejection explaining what to fix. Per Rule 5.24(d), once signed the order becomes effective on the date noted in item 4.
You then must serve the signed FL-906, along with the FL-370, FL-372, and FL-375, on the plan administrator within the time stated in item 5 (typically 30 days). Service is governed by CCP sections 415.10–415.30 and must be performed by an adult who is not a party to the case.
After service, file a Proof of Service POS-010 with the court. The plan then has 30 days to file a Notice of Appearance and Response under Rule 5.24(e), and from that point forward the plan is bound by every order in your dissolution that affects the plan, paving the way for a Qualified Domestic Relations Order at judgment.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out FL-906
Joinder errors compound across the divorce, so each one carries an outsized cost. The California Self-Help Family Law Guide flags these as the most common.
- Wrong plan name. Naming the employer instead of the plan voids the order and forces a re-do.
- Wrong plan address. Service goes to the wrong office, and the plan never appears in the case.
- Missing case number. The clerk cannot file the order in your case folder.
- Caption mismatch. Names that don’t match the FL-100 trigger an immediate rejection.
- Filer signs the judge line. The order becomes void and must be redrafted.
- Both grant and deny boxes checked. The judge cannot tell what you want and rejects the form.
- No proof of service after the judge signs. The plan is not legally bound, and any later QDRO fails.
- Outdated form revision. Pre-2012 versions of FL-906 are no longer accepted.
- Missing FL-370 or FL-372 in the packet. The judge cannot grant joinder without the underlying request and pleading.
- Failure to pay the FL-371 first-appearance fee. The packet is not deemed filed, and FL-906 cannot be signed.
- Handwritten illegible entries. Scanners flag the form, and the clerk rejects it for legibility.
- Wrong county. Filing in a county other than where your dissolution sits voids the joinder.
Do’s and Don’ts
These quick rules keep your FL-906 on the fast track to signature.
- ✅ Do download the current PDF directly from the Judicial Council site so you get the Rev. 1/1/2012 version.
- ✅ Do type your entries in Adobe Reader because typed forms scan cleanly and reduce rejection risk.
- ✅ Do match the case caption letter-for-letter to your filed FL-100 because clerks cross-check captions automatically.
- ✅ Do use the plan’s exact legal name from the Summary Plan Description because the plan administrator only honors precise names.
- ✅ Do file the underlying FL-370, FL-372, and FL-375 first because FL-906 is meaningless without them.
- ✅ Do keep your conformed copy in a safe folder because you’ll need it for your QDRO drafting.
- ❌ Don’t sign the judge’s signature line because that voids the order.
- ❌ Don’t use a nickname in the caption because clerks reject mismatched names on sight.
- ❌ Don’t skip Proof of Service because unserved plans are not bound by your judgment.
- ❌ Don’t file in the wrong county because joinder must occur where your dissolution sits.
- ❌ Don’t name the employer instead of the plan because that’s the most common reason orders get bounced.
- ❌ Don’t rely on the plan’s HR address because service must go to the official QDRO address.
Pros and Cons of Filing FL-906 on Your Own vs. With Help
Many spouses successfully self-file FL-906, but complex plans benefit from professional help. The State Bar of California’s lawyer referral service can connect you with a certified family law specialist.
Pros of filing on your own. – Saves the $250–$500 attorney drafting fee that most family law lawyers charge for a joinder packet. – Keeps you in direct control of the filing timeline so you don’t wait on a busy lawyer. – Forces you to learn your case, which pays off when you draft the QDRO later. – The form is short — only one page — so the learning curve is manageable. – County self-help centers will review your FL-906 for free before you submit.
Cons of filing on your own. – A single wrong field on item 3 can void the joinder and waste your $435 first-appearance fee. – ERISA plans use technical language that pro pers often misread. – Plan administrators sometimes refuse to communicate with pro pers on QDRO model orders. – Service rules under CCP 415.10–415.30 are strict, and missteps invalidate the entire joinder. – If your spouse opposes joinder, the contested hearing is challenging without counsel. – Mistakes compound: a bad FL-906 means a bad QDRO, which means lost retirement money.
FAQs
Is FL-906 the same as a QDRO?
No. FL-906 only joins the plan to the case. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order is a separate, later order that actually divides the retirement benefit between the spouses.
Do I need FL-906 if my spouse and I agree to split the 401(k)?
Yes. Even with full agreement, the plan is not bound by your judgment unless it is formally joined through FL-370 and FL-906 under Rule 5.24.
Is there a filing fee for FL-906 itself?
No. FL-906 has no separate fee, but the underlying FL-371 Notice of Motion of Joinder triggers a first-appearance fee of about $435–$450 statewide.
Can a court commissioner sign FL-906?
Yes. Commissioners with stipulated authority under Code of Civil Procedure 259 routinely sign uncontested joinder orders, especially in high-volume counties like Los Angeles and Orange.
Do I write the employer’s name or the plan’s name in item 3?
No — never write the employer. Always write the plan’s exact legal name, such as Acme Corporation 401(k) Retirement Plan, taken straight from the Summary Plan Description.
Should I check the “no hearing was held” box if joinder is uncontested?
Yes. Rule 5.24(c) allows uncontested joinders without a hearing, and checking that box tells the judge to sign on a submit-basis without scheduling a courtroom date.
Do I sign FL-906 myself anywhere?
No. FL-906 is a proposed order — only the judge or commissioner signs it. The filer’s signature appears on FL-370, not FL-906.
Can I write a P.O. Box in the plan address line in item 3?
Yes. Most QDRO addresses are P.O. Boxes (Fidelity, CalPERS, and TSP all use them), and that’s the correct service address even though it’s a P.O. Box.
What happens if I forget to file Proof of Service after the judge signs?
No good outcome — the plan is not legally bound, your QDRO will be unenforceable, and you may have to redo joinder and service from scratch.
Can I file FL-906 in any California county?
No. You must file in the same county Superior Court that is hearing your dissolution case. Filing elsewhere voids the joinder.
Do I need FL-906 for a Social Security spousal benefit?
No. Social Security is governed by federal law and cannot be joined or divided by a California court, so FL-906 does not apply.
Is FL-906 required for an IRA?
No. Individual Retirement Accounts are not employee benefit plans under ERISA, so they are divided by transfer incident to divorce, not by joinder.
Do I need a new FL-906 for each plan?
Yes. Every plan needs its own joinder packet — separate FL-370, FL-372, FL-375, and FL-906 for each plan, even if the same employee spouse owns all of them.
Can I e-file FL-906 in Los Angeles?
Yes. Los Angeles requires e-filing for represented parties through approved vendors like One Legal and File & ServeXpress, while pro pers may still file in person at the family law clerk’s window.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-100 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-141 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-160 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-460 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-475 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-820 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-120 (w/Examples) + FAQs