Request for Order
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File FL-300 with Ezel
Fill FL-300 with Ezel
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What Ezel does with FL-300
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What is FL-300?
California family-law motion to ask the judge to make new orders or change existing orders in an open case. Used for child custody, visitation (parenting time), child support, spousal or partner support, property control, attorney fees, and other relief. Cal. Rules of Court rule 5.92.
What happens if you miss the deadline: If service is not completed by the deadline, the judge cannot make orders against the other party at that hearing and will continue the matter, costing weeks. If you cannot serve in time and the matter is urgent, you can ask the court to shorten time using item 8.
How to file
- Filing fee
- Filing fee for FL-300 is set by the Judicial Council uniform fee schedule. As of 2026, when the filer has already paid a first-appearance fee in the case, the typical motion fee is $60 (Gov. Code section 70617(a)(1)); in some counties no additional fee is charged when the filer is the petitioner who already paid the petition fee. Pro se filers who cannot afford the fee file FW-001 (Request to Waive Court Fees) at the same time. Confirm the exact amount on selfhelp.courts.ca.gov or the county's local fee schedule.
- Filing method
- in-person, mail, efile (county-specific; most California family-law courts accept e-filing)
- Filing deadline
- FL-300 has no statutory deadline of its own. Service deadlines (Cal. Rule of Court 5.92, citing Code Civ. Proc. section 1005): personal service must be completed at least 16 court days before the hearing; service by mail (within California) is 16 court days plus 5 calendar days; service outside California adds more time. The Proof of Service must be filed with the clerk at least 5 court days before the hearing. The responding party's FL-320 (Responsive Declaration) must be served on the requesting party at least 9 court days before the hearing. The judge can shorten any of these timelines on a showing of good cause through item 8.
- How to serve
- Personal service (FL-330 / POS-040) is the safest method and is required when the court ordered personal service, when the request includes temporary emergency orders, or when the request is to change a judgment on issues other than custody / visitation / child support. Service by mail (FL-335 / POS-030) is allowed for routine post-summons motions if the court did not order personal service and the matter does not include emergency orders. The server must be at least 18 and not a party. Required service packet: FL-300 + any attachments + a blank FL-320 (Responsive Declaration) + a blank FL-150 (Income and Expense Declaration) when support or fees are at issue + a copy of any granted emergency orders.
- Wet signature
- Yes, sign in pen after printing.
- Notarization
- No
- Original and copies
- One original to the clerk plus 2 copies (one for the filer, one to be conformed and served on each other party). Some counties require additional copies; check local rules.
Common pitfalls
(1) Caption and case number must match the underlying case exactly; mismatches get the request rejected at intake. (2) At least one of the form-title category checkboxes (Child Custody, Visitation, Child Support, Spousal/Partner Support, Property Control, Attorney's Fees, Other) must be checked, AND the corresponding section on pages 2-4 must be filled. A category checked with no detail is the most common rejection. (3) Item 9 (Facts to Support) must be filled. The court denies relief if the facts are missing, even if every checkbox is correct. Bonus check: when child support, spousal/partner support, or attorney's fees are requested, FL-150 (Income and Expense Declaration) must be filed and served with FL-300; FL-155 may substitute for FL-150 only when the filer meets the threshold on FL-155 page 2.
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Caption must identify the filer.
- Filer lists nickname.
- Filer omits middle name.
Attorneys only.
- Pro se filers fill with employer.
- Attorneys list lead partner only.
Attorneys only.
- Pro se filers fill with DL.
- Out-of-state attorneys use home-state bar.
Caption street. DV note: filers leaving abuse should consider Safe at Home or a friend's address rather than the address shared with the abuser.
- Filer lists outdated address.
- Filer lists P.O. Box only.
Caption city.
- Filer lists county.
- Filer abbreviates.
Caption state.
- Filer spells out California.
- Filer uses lowercase.
Caption ZIP.
- Filer pastes ZIP+4 with dash.
- Filer guesses.
Caption phone.
- Filer lists outdated phone.
- Filer lists work number.
Optional in practice for self-represented filers.
- Filer fills with phone.
- Filer worries about leaving blank.
Optional in practice for self-represented filers.
- Filer pastes rarely-checked email.
- Pro se filers worry about leaving blank.
Identifies who the filer represents. Pro se filers write 'Self-represented' or 'In Pro Per'.
- Pro se filers leave blank.
- Filer writes the wrong role.
Same county as the underlying case.
- Filer lists county they live in.
- Filer adds 'County of'.
Court street address.
- Filer lists courthouse name.
- Filer uses old address.
Optional; only when different from street.
- Filer fills when same as street.
- Filer pastes their own P.O. Box.
Court city and ZIP.
- Filer lists only the city.
- Filer uses old courthouse ZIP.
Branch name; required for routing in counties with multiple courthouses.
- Filer leaves blank in multi-branch counties.
- Filer types informal name.
Petitioner from the underlying case caption. Match the petition spelling exactly.
- Filer shortens petitioner's name.
- Filer uses nickname.
Respondent from the underlying case caption.
- Filer shortens respondent's name.
- Filer uses nickname.
Used in parentage cases or when a third party (grandparent, local child support agency) has been joined. Most dissolutions leave this blank.
- Filer leaves blank when third party joined.
- Filer fills when no third party.
FL-300 is filed inside an existing case, so the case number is always assigned.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer paste with extra spaces.
Either 'REQUEST FOR ORDER' (new) or 'CHANGE' to existing order. The form's title bar shows whichever is checked.
- Filer marks both new and modify.
- Filer leaves blank.
Boolean. Triggers emergency (ex parte) review with FL-303 + FL-305 attachments. Must be true emergency under FL-300-INFO ('immediate danger or irreparable harm').
- Filer marks for routine matters.
- Filer leaves blank when truly urgent.
Page 1 category checkbox. At least one of the seven category boxes (or 'Other') must be checked. Drives the conditional section on page 2.
- Filer leaves blank when requesting custody changes.
- Filer marks when not requesting.
Page 1 category checkbox. Drives the conditional section on page 2.
- Filer marks when not requesting.
- Filer leaves blank when requesting visitation.
Page 1 category checkbox. Drives the conditional section on page 3 (item 3) and requires FL-150 / FL-155.
- Filer marks when not requesting.
- Filer leaves blank when requesting CS.
Page 1 category checkbox. Drives item 4 and requires FL-150.
- Filer marks when not requesting.
- Filer leaves blank when requesting SS.
Page 1 category checkbox. Drives item 5.
- Filer marks when not requesting.
- Filer leaves blank when requesting PC.
Page 1 category checkbox. Drives item 6 and requires FL-150 + FL-319 + FL-158 (or equivalent declaration).
- Pro se filers mark without basis.
- Filer leaves blank when entitled.
Page 1 category checkbox. Drives item 7.
- Filer marks without filling other specify.
- Filer leaves blank when requesting other.
Short label only; required when “Other” is checked.
- Filer leaves blank when “Other” is checked.
- Filer is vague.
Name of party who will receive this request. Required ('List the name(s) of the other person(s) in your case who will receive your request').
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer uses nickname.
Role of the served party. One of Petitioner / Respondent / Other Parent or Party / Other.
- Filer uses informal language.
- Filer leaves blank.
Required when the answer to “Their role in the case” is “Other”.
- Filer leaves blank when other role.
- Filer fills when not other.
Item 1 on page 2 is a notice to the judge about any active criminal, family, juvenile, or other-court protective order between the parties. Required so the requested orders do not conflict with existing protections.
- Filer marks no to avoid disclosure.
- Filer leaves blank.
Sub-checkbox; used when the answer to “Is there a domestic violence restraining or protective order in effect between any of the parties?” is Yes.
- Filer leaves blank when RO against petitioner.
- Filer marks when no RO.
Sub-checkbox; used when the answer to “Is there a domestic violence restraining or protective order in effect between any of the parties?” is Yes.
- Filer leaves blank when RO against respondent.
- Filer marks when no RO.
Sub-checkbox; used when the answer to “Is there a domestic violence restraining or protective order in effect between any of the parties?” is Yes.
- Filer leaves blank when RO against other.
- Filer marks when no RO.
County/state for any criminal protective order. Optional if not applicable.
- Filer leaves blank when criminal RO.
- Filer omits state.
Criminal case number. Optional ('if known').
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
County/state for family-court protective order. Optional if not applicable.
- Filer leaves blank when family RO.
- Filer omits state.
Family case number. Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Juvenile court county/state. Optional.
- Filer leaves blank when juvenile RO.
- Filer omits state.
Juvenile case number. Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Other court county/state. Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer omits state.
Other case number. Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Boolean. Required only when emergency custody orders are sought.
- Filer marks for routine custody changes.
- Filer leaves blank when emergency.
Item 2 sub-checkbox. Should match “Child custody” on page 1.
- Filer leaves blank when seeking custody change.
- Filer fills when only seeking visitation change.
Item 2 sub-checkbox. Should match “Visitation” on page 1.
- Filer leaves blank when seeking visitation change.
- Filer fills when only seeking custody change.
Item 2a row 1: child name. Required when custody/visitation orders are requested.
- Filer uses nickname.
- Filer omits middle name.
Item 2a row 1: date of birth. Required if “Child 1: name” is filled.
- Filer lists year only.
- Filer guesses.
Item 2a row 1: legal custody to. Required if “Child 1: name” is filled.
- Filer requests sole without basis.
- Filer leaves blank.
Item 2a row 1: physical custody to. Required if “Child 1: name” is filled.
- Filer requests sole without basis.
- Filer leaves blank.
Item 2a row 2. Optional.
- Filer leaves blank when 2+ children.
- Filer uses nickname.
Optional.
- Filer lists year only.
- Filer guesses.
Optional.
- Filer requests sole without basis.
- Filer leaves blank.
Optional.
- Filer requests sole without basis.
- Filer leaves blank.
Item 2a row 3. Optional.
- Filer leaves blank when 3+ children.
- Filer uses nickname.
Optional.
- Filer lists year only.
- Filer guesses.
Optional.
- Filer requests sole without basis.
- Filer leaves blank.
Optional.
- Filer requests sole without basis.
- Filer leaves blank.
Mark Attachment 2a if more than 3 children. Continue on FL-311 or plain paper labeled 'Attachment 2a'.
- Filer marks without attaching.
- Filer leaves blank when 4+ children.
How the custody/visitation orders are specified: attached forms (FL-311 etc.) or narrative. Required when item 2 is engaged.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague.
FL-305 (Temporary Emergency Orders proposed). Required if “I am asking for emergency (ex parte) custody or visitation orders” is checked.
- Filer marks without attaching FL-305.
- Filer leaves blank when FL-305 attached.
FL-311 attachment with detailed schedule. Common when “Visitation” is checked.
- Filer marks without attaching FL-311.
- Filer leaves blank when FL-311 attached.
FL-312 (Child Abduction Prevention Orders). Use only if abduction risk.
- Filer marks without attaching FL-312.
- Filer leaves blank when FL-312 attached.
FL-341(C) holiday schedule. Optional.
- Filer marks without attaching FL-341(C).
- Filer leaves blank when FL-341(C) attached.
FL-341(D) physical custody provisions. Optional.
- Filer marks without attaching FL-341(D).
- Filer leaves blank when attached.
FL-341(E) joint legal custody. Optional.
- Filer marks without attaching FL-341(E).
- Filer leaves blank when attached.
Narrative custody/visitation orders requested. Required when the answer to “How are you specifying the custody/visitation orders?” is “Specified in a narrative attachment”.
- Filer is vague.
- Filer leaves blank.
Why the requested orders are in the best interest of the children. Required when custody/visitation orders are requested.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague without addressing 3011 factors.
Boolean for item 2d (change from current order).
- Filer marks on first-time custody requests.
- Filer leaves blank when modifying.
Sub-checkbox; required when “I am asking to change a current custody or visitation order” is checked and the change is to custody.
- Filer leaves blank when changing custody.
- Filer fills when only changing visitation.
Sub-checkbox; required when “I am asking to change a current custody or visitation order” is checked and the change is to visitation.
- Filer leaves blank when changing visitation.
- Filer fills when only changing custody.
Date of the existing custody order. Required when “I am asking to change a current custody or visitation order” is checked.
- Filer leaves blank when modifying.
- Filer guesses.
Text of the existing custody order. Required when “I am asking to change a current custody or visitation order” is checked.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague.
Date of existing visitation order. Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Text of existing visitation order. Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague.
Boolean: request guideline child support. Standard pro se ask.
- Filer requests guideline without running calculator.
- Filer leaves blank.
Item 3a row 1. Required if requesting child support.
- Filer omits age.
- Filer uses nickname.
Optional non-guideline amount.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Optional second child.
- Filer omits age.
- Filer uses nickname.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Optional third child.
- Filer omits age.
- Filer uses nickname.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Mark Attachment 3a for more than 3 children.
- Filer marks without attaching.
- Filer leaves blank when 4+ children.
Item 3b. Boolean: changing an existing child support order.
- Filer marks on first-time requests.
- Filer leaves blank when modifying.
Date of existing order. Required when “I am asking to change a current child support order” is checked.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Existing order text. Required when “I am asking to change a current child support order” is checked.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague.
Item 3d. Reason for the support orders. Required when child support is requested. Modification requires a 'change in circumstances' since the prior order.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague without addressing changed circumstances.
Monthly amount of spousal/partner support requested. Required when “Spousal or partner support” is checked.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Item 4b. Choice: change, end, or none.
- Filer marks both change and end.
- Filer leaves blank.
Required when the answer to “I want to change or end the current spousal/partner support order” is “Change the existing order” or “End the existing order”.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Existing support amount. Required when the answer to “I want to change or end the current spousal/partner support order” is “Change the existing order” or “End the existing order”.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer lists requested instead of existing.
Item 4c. Triggers FL-157 attachment requirement.
- Filer leaves blank when post-judgment.
- Filer marks when pre-judgment.
Item 4e. Reason for support orders. Required when “Spousal or partner support” is checked.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague without addressing 4320 factors.
Boolean for emergency property control. Optional.
- Filer marks for routine PC.
- Filer leaves blank when emergency.
Choice: petitioner / respondent / other parent / none. Required when property control is requested.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer marks both parties.
Property description. Required when “Who should get exclusive temporary use, possession, and control” is set.
- Filer is vague.
- Filer leaves blank.
Owned or rented. Required when “Who should get exclusive temporary use, possession, and control” is set.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague.
Item 5b. Choice: which party should pay debts. Optional unless requesting debt payment orders.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer marks both.
Debt 1 creditor. Required if “Who should be ordered to make payments on debts” is set.
- Filer leaves blank when debt1 owed.
- Filer is vague.
Debt 1 type. Required if “Who should be ordered to make payments on debts” is set.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague.
Debt 1 amount.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Debt 1 due date.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank when debt2 owed.
- Filer is vague.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank when debt3 owed.
- Filer is vague.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank when debt4 owed.
- Filer is vague.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer is vague.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Optional.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Item 5c. Optional.
- Filer marks on first-time PC.
- Filer leaves blank when modifying.
Required when “I am asking to change a current property control order” is checked.
- Filer leaves blank.
- Filer guesses.
Item 6. Total attorney's fees and costs requested. Triggers FL-150 + FL-319 + FL-158 attachment requirement.
- Pro se filers leave blank.
- Filer guesses.
Item 7. Required when “Other” is checked.
- Filer is vague.
- Filer leaves blank when “Other” is checked.
Item 8. Boolean: ask the court to shorten time for service. Optional.
- Filer marks routinely.
- Filer leaves blank when needed.
Item 8a. Number of court days requested. Required if “I am asking the court to shorten the time for service or the time until the hearing” is checked.
- Filer guesses.
- Filer leaves blank.
Item 8b. Optional.
- Filer marks routinely.
- Filer leaves blank when needed.
Item 8 reason. Required when shortening is requested.
- Filer is vague.
- Filer leaves blank when tfs requested.
Item 9. Facts in date order. The form's own text caps the facts (form + attachment) at 10 pages unless the court grants permission for more. Without facts, the judge cannot grant relief.
- Filer vents emotionally.
- Filer states legal conclusions instead of facts.
Mark Attachment 9 if facts continue on a separate page (or MC-031). Optional.
- Filer marks without attaching.
- Filer leaves blank when overflow.
Date the filer signs. Form is signed under penalty of perjury under California law.
- Filer post-dates.
- Filer signs before completing.
Type or print full legal name. Sign with a pen on the line below after printing.
- Filer prints nickname.
- Filer leaves blank.
Sources
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