California Child Support Modification (FL-300 Request for Order) - Preparation Worksheet

California Child Support Modification (FL-300 Request for Order) - Preparation Worksheet

Use this worksheet to prepare the current Judicial Council Request for Order (FL-300). This worksheet is not the FL-300 and is not itself filed as a child-support modification request. Rule 5.92 requires FL-300 for a family-law request unless another approved form applies. In a local child support agency action, a party other than the agency also uses FL-300. A request to change an active domestic violence restraining order may use a different form; check the current order and rule 5.92(a)(2).

Official forms: FL-300 Request for Order and FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration. Use the court's current forms and instructions when preparing the filing.

1. Case and order record for FL-300, page 1

Superior Court county and branch: [COUNTY AND BRANCH]
Case number: [CASE NUMBER]
Petitioner: [NAME AS SHOWN ON EXISTING CASE]
Respondent: [NAME AS SHOWN ON EXISTING CASE]
Other parent or party, if listed: [NAME OR NONE]
Person requesting the change: [NAME AND CASE ROLE]
Mailing address, phone, and email for form: [DETAILS]

Select Change and Child Support on FL-300 when those boxes match the requested relief. The court completes the hearing and court-order fields; do not invent a hearing date here.

Existing child support order date: [__/__/____]
Court or agency that issued it: [NAME]
Order attached for comparison: ☐ Yes ☐ No
Any later order about the same support obligation: [DATE AND DESCRIPTION OR NONE]

2. FL-300 item 3a — proposed support

List each child in the current order and the proposed amount or guideline request:

Requested total and period: $[AMOUNT] per [MONTH OR OTHER PERIOD].
Basis for calculation: [CURRENT GUIDELINE CALCULATION, INPUTS, AND DATE].
Income and custody-time information used: [DETAILS AND SOURCE DOCUMENTS].

3. FL-300 items 3b and 3d — current order and reasons

For item 3b, copy the child support terms from the existing order accurately:

[DATE, PAYOR, PAYEE, AMOUNT, PERIOD, HEALTH INSURANCE OR ADD-ONS, AND ANY RELEVANT ORDER LANGUAGE]

For item 3d, state the specific facts supporting the requested change. Include dates and documents. Put additional facts on an attachment labeled Attachment 3d if the form lacks space.

Income facts: [OLD AND CURRENT INCOME, DATES, EVIDENCE]
Parenting time or child expense facts, if relevant: [OLD AND CURRENT FACTS, DATES, EVIDENCE]
Other facts: [DETAILS]
Why the requested amount follows the attached calculation or why a different amount is sought: [DETAILS]
Requested start date and reason: [DATE AND BASIS; ASK THE COURT TO DETERMINE THE LAWFUL DATE]

Avoid stating that every income change automatically modifies an existing order. Describe the facts and the relief requested for the court to decide.

4. FL-300 item 3c and financial form

Prepare and file a current FL-150 with the FL-300 and the income documents it calls for. Rule 5.92(b)(3) allows FL-155 instead only if the party meets that form's requirements. Complete the applicable form itself; these notes do not replace it.

Current employment and pay frequency: [DETAILS]
Last two months' pay stubs available: ☐ Yes ☐ No
Other income proof: [DETAILS]
Other party's estimated gross monthly income and basis: [AMOUNT AND EVIDENCE]
Health insurance, childcare, and other child expenses to document: [DETAILS]
Guideline calculation or worksheet to attach, if used: [FILE AND DATE]

Protect Social Security numbers in pay records and tax materials as instructed by FL-150.

5. Filing and service handoff

☐ Transfer the completed facts into the current FL-300, including item 3 and any labeled attachments.
☐ Complete and sign the current FL-150, or confirm eligibility and use current FL-155.
☐ Check whether another approved form applies because of the case type or an active restraining order.
☐ File the forms with the court clerk to obtain a court date.
☐ Arrange service of the filed papers on all parties within the applicable time and method, and keep the required proof of service.
☐ Bring the existing order, income proof, calculation, and filed papers to the hearing.

Prepared by: [NAME]
Date prepared: [__/__/____]
Items requiring counsel or court review before filing: [DETAILS OR NONE]