All court forms FL-180

Judgment (Family Law)

Fill it with Ezel. AI intake, blocker review, court-ready PDF.

Start filing for $49 → See what's involved
California · Cannot enter sooner than 6 months and 1 day after respondent was served.

File FL-180 with Ezel

Fill FL-180 with Ezel

$49 one-time, 30-day workspace

AI-assisted intake, completeness review, and a court-ready PDF for FL-180 only. Print, sign in pen, file yourself.

Secure payment via Stripe. By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

What Ezel does with FL-180

Tell Ezel what's going on. The rest is automatic.

Court Filing —
Ezel is reading your story…
What Ezel did:
    You describe, Ezel fills. Need help on any field while you fill your form? Tap the question mark and ask. Start filing

    What is FL-180?

    California Judicial Council mandatory-use Judgment for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or nullity. The petitioner (or attorney) prepares this form, including the form-title disposition checkboxes (DISSOLUTION / LEGAL SEPARATION / NULLITY plus any sub-option), the proceeding type in item 2 (most pro se filers use 'By declaration under Family Code section 2336'), the jurisdictional acknowledgement in item 3, and the requested orders in items 4a-4o. The judicial officer signs at the bottom of page 1; the date in 4a(1), the children-support flag in 4h, and any disposition checkbox in items 4j-4n become operative once the judge signs. Each attachment listed under 4j-4n is incorporated into the judgment by reference. FL-180 is filed with FL-170 (Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution) plus FL-130 (Appearance, Stipulations, and Waivers) for an uncontested case, or FL-825 (Stipulated Judgment) for a stipulated path.

    What happens if you miss the deadline: There is no penalty for filing FL-180 'late'; the case stays open until a judgment enters. The risk runs the other way: if a default has been entered but no judgment is requested, the court may dismiss the case under California Rules of Court rule 3.110 for failure to prosecute, and the petitioner has to refile.

    How to file

    Filing fee
    No separate filing fee. FL-180 is filed inside the existing FL-100 case; the case's first-appearance fee (typically $435 to $450 in 2026, varies by county) covered the case at intake. Indigent filers who paid via FW-001 fee waiver continue under that waiver.
    Filing method
    in-person at the family-law clerk window, mail, efile (county-specific; many CA counties have e-filing for family-law judgment packages)
    Filing deadline
    No statutory filing deadline, but FL-180 cannot ENTER sooner than 6 months and 1 day from the date the respondent was served with the FL-100 / FL-110 (Family Code section 2339(a)). For an uncontested default, the typical timeline is: respondent served on day 0; 30-day response window ends on day 30; petitioner files Request to Enter Default (CIV-100) on or after day 31; petitioner submits the judgment package (FL-170 + FL-180 + attachments) any time after that, but the judgment cannot be entered before day 184 (6 months and 1 day after service).
    How to serve
    Once the judge signs FL-180, the clerk mails FL-190 (Notice of Entry of Judgment) to both parties. The petitioner does NOT separately serve FL-180; the clerk's FL-190 mailing is the operative service. If a non-party (e.g., a retirement plan administrator) needs a certified copy, the petitioner orders one from the clerk and sends it directly.
    Wet signature
    No
    Notarization
    No
    Original and copies
    1 original to the clerk; bring 2 endorsed copies stamped by the clerk for your records and to send to any third party (retirement plan, mortgage lender) that needs proof of the judgment.

    Don't memorize the rules. Ezel walks you through FL-180 field by field, flags what the AI review treats as a blocker, and renders a court-ready PDF.

    Start filing →

    You'll likely also file

    Other Ezel-supported forms that commonly file alongside FL-180. Each one has its own guided fill, AI review, and PDF render.

    FL-141
    Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure and Income and Expense Declaration
    Shows you gave your spouse your final financial disclosure. The court usually needs it before entering judgment.
     FL-150
    Income and Expense Declaration
    Your income and expense form. It is part of your disclosure and is used to set any support.
     FL-142
    Schedule of Assets and Debts
    Lists your property and debts for disclosure. You give it to your spouse; it is not filed with the court.
     FL-160
    Property Declaration
    Can be attached to the judgment to show in detail who gets which property and debts.
     FL-191
    Child Support Case Registry Form
    If the judgment includes support, each parent files this confidential contact and employer form.
     MC-025
    Attachment to Judicial Council Form
    An extra page you can attach if the terms you want in the judgment do not fit on the form.

    Field-by-field guidance

    We've mapped every field on FL-180: what it asks, what counts as a blocker, what trips most filers up. Ezel puts all of it in front of you as you fill. Plain-English questions in, court-ready PDF out.

    104 fields handled for you. You don't have to read them all.

    Start for $49 →
    Or read all 104 fields yourself
    Filer Block
    Required

    Top-of-form attorney/party block. Pro se filers type their name and address; attorneys add bar number.

    • Filer leaves blank because they are pro se. The block is required for self-represented filers too.
    • Filer types only the name; the block requires name + address + phone for the court to reach the filer.
    Filer Phone
    Required

    Filer phone.

    • Filer lists a phone they no longer use.
    • Filer lists a work number they cannot use privately.
    Filer Fax

    Filer fax. Effectively obsolete.

    • Filer leaves blank and worries; obsolete for pro se.
    • Filer pastes phone here.
    Filer Email

    Filer email. Optional but recommended.

    • Filer pastes an email rarely checked.
    • Pro se filers leave blank thinking it is required; it is not.
    Filer Atty For
    Required

    'Attorney for' caption. Pro se filers type 'Self-Represented' or 'Petitioner in Pro Per' / 'Respondent in Pro Per'.

    • Pro se filers leave blank or write 'myself'.
    • Filers write the wrong role ('Petitioner' on a respondent's filing).
    Court County
    Required

    Court county. Same as the FL-100.

    • Filer lists county they live in.
    • Filer adds 'County of'.
    Court Street
    Recommended

    Court street address.

    • Filer lists the courthouse name.
    • Filer uses an old courthouse address.
    Court Mailing
    Recommended

    Court mailing address.

    • Filer fills when same as street.
    • Filer pastes their own P.O. Box.
    Court City Zip
    Recommended

    Court city and ZIP.

    • Filer lists only the city.
    • Filer uses old courthouse ZIP.
    Court Branch
    Recommended

    Court branch.

    • Filer leaves blank in multi-branch counties.
    • Filer types informal name.
    Petitioner Name
    Required

    Petitioner full name. Match the FL-100.

    • Filer shortens petitioner's name.
    • Filer uses a nickname.
    Respondent Name
    Required

    Respondent full name.

    • Filer shortens respondent's name.
    • Filer uses a nickname.
    Case Number
    Required

    Case number from the FL-100.

    • Filer paste the case number with extra spaces.
    • Filer types a different case number.
    Judgment Type Choice
    Required

    Type of judgment: dissolution, legal separation, or nullity. Most pro se filers pick dissolution.

    • Selecting 'Legal separation' when the petitioner actually wants a dissolution. Status-termination is the operative effect; legal-separation judgments do not end the marriage.
    Status Only

    Status-only bifurcation. Uncommon outside attorney-handled cases.

    • Filers check this thinking it speeds the divorce. Status-only bifurcation requires Family Code 2337 conditions and is rarely appropriate for pro se cases.
    • Filers confuse status-only with reserving jurisdiction. Status-only ENDS the marriage but defers everything else; reserving keeps the marriage open.
    Reserving Jurisdiction Termination

    Mirror of status-only: reserves status, decides everything else.

    • Filers confuse with status-only.
    • Filers leave blank when intending to reserve.
    Judgment On Reserved

    Second-judgment indicator (after a prior bifurcation). Rare.

    • Filers check on a first-judgment case.
    • Filers leave blank on the second judgment after a prior bifurcation.
    Status End Date
    Recommended

    Date marital or partnership status ends. Cannot be earlier than 6 months and 1 day after respondent was served (Family Code section 2339(a)).

    • Picking a date earlier than 6 months and 1 day after service. The clerk and judge will check; the judgment cannot be entered before day 184.
    Judgment Includes Restraining

    Item 1 lead checkbox. Most pro se uncontested judgments leave item 1 unchecked.

    • Filers check when no restraining orders exist.
    • Filers leave blank when judgment includes new RO.
    Contains Restraining Orders

    Sub-checkbox: contains new restraining orders.

    • Filers check without attaching the restraining order text.
    • Filers conflate with “modifies existing restraining orders”.
    Modifies Restraining Orders

    Sub-checkbox: modifies existing restraining orders.

    • Filers check on first-time orders.
    • Filers conflate with “contains personal conduct restraining orders”.
    Restraining Pages Count
    Recommended

    Page numbers of attachment containing the restraining orders.

    • Filers leave blank when restraining orders attached.
    • Filers list page count without attaching.
    Restraining Expire Date
    Recommended

    Expiration date of restraining orders. Cannot be permanent; comes from the order itself.

    • Filers leave blank when RO included.
    • Filers type 'permanent' (RO cannot be permanent).
    Proceeding Type Choice
    Required

    How the case was decided. Most pro se cases use 'By declaration under FC 2336'.

    • Selecting 'Default or uncontested' alongside 'By declaration under FC 2336'. Pick exactly one.
    Hearing Date

    Date of hearing. Blank if proceeding type is 'By declaration under FC 2336'.

    • Filers list the date FL-180 is being filed.
    • Filers fill on a Family Code 2336 declaration case where no hearing occurred.
    Hearing Dept

    Department where the hearing was held.

    • Filers list a different dept than the minute order.
    • Filers fill on declaration cases.
    Hearing Room

    Room number for the hearing.

    • Filers list a courtroom number.
    • Filers fill on declaration cases.
    Judicial Officer Name

    Name of the judge or commissioner who heard the matter. Blank in declaration cases.

    • Filers list a different judge than the minute order.
    • Filers fill on declaration cases. Family Code 2336 judgments are signed by the judge or commissioner without a hearing.
    Temporary Judge

    Pro tem (temporary judge) indicator. Less common.

    • Filers check when a regular judge presided.
    • Filers fail to check when a pro tem signed.
    Petitioner Present

    2c petitioner presence flag.

    • Filers check on declaration cases.
    • Filers leave blank when petitioner did appear.
    Petitioner Atty Present

    2c petitioner's attorney presence flag.

    • Pro se petitioner checks this.
    • Filers leave blank when attorney appeared.
    Petitioner Atty Name

    2c petitioner's attorney name.

    • Pro se petitioners fill name.
    • Filers leave blank when atty appeared.
    Respondent Present

    2d respondent presence flag.

    • Filers check on default cases.
    • Filers leave blank when respondent appeared.
    Respondent Atty Present

    2d respondent's attorney presence flag.

    • Pro se respondent checks.
    • Filers leave blank when respondent's attorney appeared.
    Respondent Atty Name

    2d respondent's attorney name.

    • Pro se respondents fill name.
    • Filers leave blank when respondent atty appeared.
    Claimant Present

    2e third-party claimant presence flag. Rare in dissolution.

    • Filers check on standard cases.
    • Filers leave blank when third-party claimant appeared.
    Claimant Name

    2e claimant name.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 2e: Claimant present in court” is checked.
    • Filers list claimant role instead of name.
    Claimant Atty Present

    2e claimant's attorney presence flag.

    • Filers conflate with “Item 2e: Claimant present in court”.
    • Filers leave blank when claimant atty appeared.
    Claimant Atty Name

    2e claimant's attorney name.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 2e: Claimant's attorney present” is checked.
    • Filers list firm only.
    Other Present

    2f other person present.

    • Filers check for normal cases.
    • Filers leave blank when other person appeared.
    Other Present Name
    Recommended

    2f other person name.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 2f: Other person present” is checked.
    • Filers list role only.
    Jurisdiction Acquired Date
    Required

    Item 3 jurisdiction date. Required; anchors the 6-month cooling-off period.

    • Putting the date the petition was filed instead of the date the respondent was served. The cooling-off period runs from service, not filing.
    Respondent Served

    3a respondent served with process flag. Check in default cases.

    • Filers check for non-default cases (where respondent appeared).
    • Filers leave blank in default cases (where respondent failed to answer).
    Respondent Appeared

    3b respondent appeared flag. Check if respondent filed FL-120 or FL-130.

    • Filers check in default cases.
    • Filers leave blank when respondent filed FL-120 or FL-130.
    Dissolution Entered
    Required

    4a lead. Check if judgment is dissolution.

    • Filers check on legal separation or nullity.
    • Filers leave blank on dissolution.
    Dissolution Date Specified
    Recommended

    4a(1) lead. Specifies an exact status-termination date.

    • Filers leave blank when specifying date.
    • Filers check without filling “Item 4a(1) date”.
    Dissolution Date
    Required

    4a(1) date. Cannot be earlier than 6 months and 1 day after service.

    • Filers list a date earlier than 6 months + 1 day after respondent service. Family Code 2339(a) imposes the cooling-off period; courts will reject earlier dates.
    • Filers list the date of separation. Dissolution date is when the marriage status terminates, not when the parties separated.
    Dissolution Date To Be Determined

    4a(2) defers status date to a later motion. Less common.

    • Filers check when date is known.
    • Filers leave blank when deferring.
    Legal Separation Entered
    Required

    4b lead. Check if judgment is legal separation.

    • Filers check on dissolution cases.
    • Filers leave blank on legal separation.
    Nullity Entered
    Required

    4c lead. Check if judgment is nullity.

    • Filers check on dissolution.
    • Filers leave blank on nullity.
    Nullity Ground
    Required

    4c ground for nullity. Required if 4c checked.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 4c: Judgment of nullity is entered” is checked.
    • Filers cite a ground that is not statutory under FC 2210/2200.
    Nunc Pro Tunc

    4d retroactive entry indicator. Rare; requires a separate court order.

    • Filers check without a separate retroactive order.
    • Filers leave blank when retroactive order applies.
    Nunc Pro Tunc Date
    Recommended

    4d nunc pro tunc date.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 4d: Entered nunc pro tunc as of (date)” is checked.
    • Filers list a future date.
    Judgment On Reserved 4e

    4e mirror of form-title 'Judgment on reserved issues'.

    • Filers check on first-judgment cases.
    • Filers leave blank on second-judgment.
    Former Name Party

    4f which party's former name is restored. Only one party per item 4f; if both want restoration, attach a continuation page for the second.

    • Listing both petitioner and respondent on the same item 4f. Only one party per item 4f.
    Former Name Text
    Required

    4f former name to be restored. Required if 4f is selected.

    • Filers leave blank when restoring former name.
    • Filers list a name never legally used.
    Jurisdiction Reserved Other
    Optional

    4g reserves jurisdiction over other issues. Most uncontested judgments check 4g.

    • Filers leave blank in uncontested judgments. Most pro se uncontested judgments check 4g to preserve jurisdiction over future issues.
    • Filers check without specifying which issues.
    Judgment Has Support Provisions
    Recommended

    4h flags child or family support; triggers FL-191 / FL-192 attachments.

    • Leaving 4h unchecked when the judgment includes child support via FL-342. The clerk needs 4h checked to route the judgment to the State Case Registry.
    P2 Party Name
    Required

    Page 2 caption case name. Match page 1.

    • Filers list a different name than page 1.
    • Filers leave blank.
    P2 Case Number
    Required

    Page 2 case number. Match page 1.

    • Filers leave blank.
    • Filers type a different case number.
    Case Has Children
    Recommended

    4i lead. Check if there are minor children of the marriage or partnership.

    • Filers check 'no' when minor children of the marriage exist.
    • Filers list adult children.
    Child 1 Named

    4i(1) lead checkbox before the single child row.

    • Filers leave blank when child 1 is filled.
    • Filers check without filling child fields.
    Child 1 Name
    Required

    First child's full legal name. For 2+ children, attach a continuation page.

    • Filers list nickname.
    • Filers list adult children.
    Child 1 Birthdate
    Required

    First child's birthdate.

    • Filers list year only.
    • Filers guess.
    Parentage Established

    4i(2) parentage-established flag for children born before the marriage.

    • Filers leave blank when child born before marriage.
    • Filers check when not applicable.
    Child Custody Ordered
    Recommended

    4j lead. Custody and visitation ordered.

    • Filers check when no custody order.
    • Filers leave blank when custody is being ordered.
    Custody Settlement

    4j(1) settlement-agreement disposition.

    • Filers check when not by settlement.
    • Filers conflate with FL-341 attachment.
    Custody Fl341

    4j(2) FL-341 attachment.

    • Filers check without attaching FL-341.
    • Filers leave blank when FL-341 attached.
    Custody Fl355

    4j(3) FL-355 stipulated custody attachment.

    • Filers conflate with FL-341.
    • Filers check without attaching FL-355.
    Custody Previously

    4j(4) previously established in another case (e.g., FL-200 paternity).

    • Filers check on first-time custody orders.
    • Filers leave blank when prior order exists.
    Custody Prior Case Number
    Recommended

    4j(4) prior case number.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 4j(4): Previously established in another case” is checked.
    • Filers list current case number.
    Custody Prior Court
    Recommended

    4j(4) prior court.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 4j(4): Previously established in another case” is checked.
    • Filers list current court.
    Child Support Ordered
    Recommended

    4k lead. Child support ordered.

    • Filers check when no child support order.
    • Filers leave blank when CS being ordered.
    Child Support Settlement

    4k(1) settlement disposition. Requires FC 4065(a) declarations in the agreement.

    • Filers check without including FC 4065(a) declarations.
    • Filers conflate with FL-342.
    Child Support Fl342

    4k(2) FL-342 attachment. Most common pro se path.

    • Filers check without attaching FL-342.
    • Filers leave blank when FL-342 attached.
    Child Support Fl350

    4k(3) FL-350 stipulated child support attachment.

    • Filers conflate with FL-342.
    • Filers check without attaching FL-350.
    Child Support Previously

    4k(4) previously established.

    • Filers check on first-time orders.
    • Filers leave blank when prior order exists.
    Child Support Prior Case Number
    Recommended

    4k(4) prior case number.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 4k(4): Previously established in another case” is checked.
    • Filers list current case number.
    Child Support Prior Court
    Recommended

    4k(4) prior court.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 4k(4): Previously established in another case” is checked.
    • Filers list current court.
    Spousal Support Ordered
    Recommended

    4l lead. Spousal, partner, or family support disposition.

    • Filers check when no spousal support order.
    • Filers leave blank when SS being ordered.
    Spousal Support Reserved

    4l(1) reserved for future determination.

    • Filers leave blank when reserving.
    • Filers check without specifying party.
    Spousal Support Reserved Party
    Recommended

    4l(1) which party reserved as to.

    • Filers leave blank when reserved.
    • Filers list both when only one is reserved.
    Spousal Support Jurisdiction Terminated

    4l(2) jurisdiction terminated. One-way door; cannot reopen support to that party.

    • Checking 4l(2) thinking it just means 'no support now'. 4l(2) PERMANENTLY terminates the court's power to order support to the named party. To leave the door open, use 4l(1) (reserved) instead.
    Spousal Support Jurisdiction Terminated Party
    Recommended

    4l(2) which party jurisdiction terminated as to.

    • Filers terminate without legal advice.
    • Filers conflate termination with reserving.
    Spousal Support Fl343

    4l(3) FL-343 attachment.

    • Filers check without attaching FL-343.
    • Filers leave blank when FL-343 attached.
    Spousal Support Settlement

    4l(4) settlement-agreement disposition.

    • Filers check when not by settlement.
    • Filers conflate with FL-343.
    Spousal Support Other

    4l(5) other.

    • Filers check without filling other text.
    • Filers conflate with reserved/terminated.
    Spousal Support Other Text
    Recommended

    4l(5) other text.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 4l(5): Other” is checked.
    • Filers are vague.
    Property Ordered
    Recommended

    4m lead. Property division ordered.

    • Filers check when no property division.
    • Filers leave blank when property being divided.
    Property Settlement

    4m(1) settlement-agreement disposition (MSA).

    • Filers check without attaching MSA.
    • Filers conflate with FL-345.
    Property Fl345

    4m(2) FL-345 attachment.

    • Filers check without attaching FL-345.
    • Filers leave blank when FL-345 attached.
    Property Other

    4m(3) other.

    • Filers check without filling other text.
    • Filers conflate with FL-345.
    Property Other Text
    Recommended

    4m(3) other text.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 4m(3): Other” is checked.
    • Filers are vague.
    Atty Fees Ordered

    4n lead. Attorney fees and costs ordered.

    • Filers check when no fee order.
    • Filers leave blank when fees ordered.
    Atty Fees Settlement

    4n(1) settlement-agreement disposition.

    • Filers check when not by settlement.
    • Filers conflate with FL-346.
    Atty Fees Fl346

    4n(2) FL-346 attachment.

    • Filers check without attaching FL-346.
    • Filers leave blank when FL-346 attached.
    Atty Fees Other

    4n(3) other.

    • Filers check without filling other text.
    • Filers conflate with FL-346.
    Atty Fees Other Text
    Recommended

    4n(3) other text.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 4n(3): Other” is checked.
    • Filers are vague.
    Other Orders Present

    4o other orders.

    • Filers check without filling other orders text.
    • Filers leave blank when other orders exist.
    Other Orders Text 1
    Recommended

    4o specify line 1.

    • Filers leave blank when “Item 4o: Other” is checked.
    • Filers cram multiple orders into one line.
    Other Orders Text 2

    4o specify line 2.

    • Filers leave blank when 2+ other orders exist.
    • Filers fill without filling line 1.
    Judge Sig Date

    Date for judicial officer signature. Court fills.

    • Filers typing the date here. The judge enters the date when signing.
    Attachments Count
    Recommended

    Item 5: total attached pages count.

    • Filers leave blank when attachments exist.
    • Filers undercount.
    Signature Follows Attachments

    'SIGNATURE FOLLOWS LAST ATTACHMENT' indicator. Local-court-specific.

    • Filers check by default; only some courts require this.
    • Filers leave blank when local rule requires.

    Ezel is a self-help tool. Ezel is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. You are the filer. Review the form carefully before submitting it to the court, and consult a licensed attorney if you have questions about your case. For free legal help, contact your local legal aid office or court self-help center.

    Sources

    Ready to file FL-180?

    You've seen what's involved. Fill FL-180 with Ezel in minutes, not hours.

    One-time, 30-day workspace.