What Is Form FL-144? The Stipulation and Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure Explained

 

If you handle dissolution cases in California, Form FL-144 — the Stipulation and Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure — is the document that allows both parties to formally agree to skip the final disclosure requirement before judgment is entered. In many uncontested cases, FL-144 is a practical and commonly used tool that simplifies the path to judgment without compromising either party's understanding of the marital estate.

However, FL-144 is not a form to be signed casually or without both parties fully understanding what they are waiving. For attorneys and paralegals, the goal is to ensure FL-144 is used appropriately, executed correctly, and filed as part of a complete judgment package.

Why FL-144 Matters

California law requires both parties in a dissolution case to exchange a complete picture of their financial situation before judgment is entered. This obligation has two stages: the Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure, which is mandatory and cannot be waived, and the Final Declaration of Disclosure, which can be waived by mutual agreement.

FL-144 is the mechanism for that waiver. When both parties sign FL-144, they are representing to the court that they are satisfied with the financial information exchanged during the preliminary disclosure and agree that a further updated disclosure is not necessary before judgment. Used correctly, FL-144 streamlines the judgment process in cases where circumstances have not changed materially since the preliminary disclosure was served.

When Is FL-144 Appropriate?

FL-144 is typically used in uncontested dissolution cases where:

• The preliminary declaration of disclosure was properly served by both parties
• The financial circumstances of both parties have not changed significantly since the preliminary disclosure
• Both parties are represented by counsel, or both self-represented parties have had an opportunity to understand what they are waiving
• The parties have reached a full agreement on all issues and are ready to proceed to judgment

FL-144 is generally not appropriate where:

• There are significant undisclosed or disputed assets
• The financial circumstances of either party have changed materially since the preliminary disclosure was served
• One party is not fully informed about the marital estate and the waiver could prejudice their interests
• There are concerns about the completeness or accuracy of the preliminary disclosure

Paralegals should flag any question about whether FL-144 is appropriate to the supervising attorney rather than advising the client directly. The decision to waive the final disclosure has legal consequences and requires independent legal judgment.

What the Parties Are Waiving

By signing FL-144, both parties agree to waive their right to receive an updated Final Declaration of Disclosure from the other party before judgment is entered. Specifically, each party waives:

• The right to receive a current Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) reflecting the other party's financial situation at the time of judgment
• The right to receive a current Schedule of Assets and Debts (FL-142) or Property Declaration (FL-160) updated to reflect any changes since the preliminary disclosure
• Any other updated financial information that would otherwise be required as part of the final disclosure

This is a significant waiver. Both parties should understand that by signing FL-144, they are proceeding to judgment without verified, current financial information from the other side. In cases where the parties are confident in the accuracy and completeness of the preliminary disclosure and the marital estate is well understood, this is often a practical and appropriate step. In more complex cases, the final disclosure may be worth completing even if it adds time to the process.

How to Complete FL-144: Section-by-Section Guide

1. Case Caption

Enter the full names of the petitioner and respondent and the case number exactly as they appear on FL-100 and all other filed documents. Consistency is essential — any discrepancy between FL-144 and previously filed documents can cause issues at the clerk's office.

2. Recitals

FL-144 includes standard recital language confirming that both parties have been advised of their disclosure obligations, understand what they are waiving, and agree to proceed without a final disclosure. Review the recital language carefully with both parties — or ensure the supervising attorney has done so — before the form is signed. The recitals are not boilerplate to be glossed over; they set out exactly what each party is agreeing to.

3. Stipulation

Both parties stipulate that the Final Declaration of Disclosure requirement is waived and that the case may proceed to judgment without a final disclosure being served. This stipulation is binding on both parties once signed and filed.

4. Signatures

FL-144 must be signed by both parties. If either party is represented by counsel, the attorney also signs. Unlike some other forms in the judgment package, FL-144 requires both parties' signatures — it is a mutual agreement, not a unilateral document. Confirm that both parties have signed before filing. An FL-144 signed by only one party is not effective.

Note: If a party is self-represented, they sign in their own capacity. If represented, both the party and their attorney sign. Verify the signature requirements with local court rules as practices may vary.

FL-144 and the Judgment Package

FL-144 is filed as part of the judgment package in uncontested dissolution cases. It replaces the second FL-141 that would otherwise be required to confirm service of the final disclosure. The complete judgment package in an uncontested case using FL-144 typically includes:

• FL-141 — Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure (confirming the preliminary disclosure was served — must be on file before FL-144 is filed)
• FL-144 — Stipulation and Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure
• FL-130 — Appearance, Stipulations, and Waivers (respondent's appearance and agreement to proceed)
• FL-170 — Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution
• FL-180 — Judgment
• FL-190 — Notice of Entry of Judgment (issued by the court after judgment is entered)

FL-141 for the preliminary disclosure must be on file before FL-144 is submitted. The court needs to confirm that the preliminary disclosure obligation was met before accepting a waiver of the final disclosure.

Common Mistakes and Best Practices

Because FL-144 is a waiver of a significant legal right, errors in its preparation or execution can have consequences for both parties. The most common problems to avoid:

• Filing FL-144 when FL-141 (for the preliminary disclosure) is not yet on file — the preliminary disclosure must be confirmed before the final can be waived
• Only one party signing FL-144 — both parties must sign for the waiver to be effective
• Using FL-144 in a case where the financial circumstances have changed materially since the preliminary disclosure, without ensuring both parties are aware of those changes
• Treating FL-144 as a routine administrative step without ensuring both parties understand what they are agreeing to
• Inconsistent party names between FL-144 and FL-180 or the underlying settlement agreement

And the workflow habits that prevent them:

• Confirm FL-141 is on file before preparing FL-144
• Review FL-144's recital language with the supervising attorney before presenting it to the parties for signature
• Prepare FL-144 alongside FL-130 and FL-170 as a complete judgment preparation package
• Cross-check party names against all other judgment documents before filing
• Confirm local court rules for any county-specific requirements for the waiver

Companion Forms Filed with FL-144

FL-144 is always filed as part of a larger judgment submission. Related forms include:

• FL-140 — Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure (served earlier in the case — its service is confirmed by FL-141)
• FL-141 — Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure (must be on file confirming preliminary disclosure was served)
• FL-130 — Appearance, Stipulations, and Waivers
• FL-170 — Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution
• FL-180 — Judgment
• FL-190 — Notice of Entry of Judgment

How SuperDocs Can Help

SuperDocs is a California court form platform designed for attorneys and paralegals. No lengthy setup, no forms about forms — just open a CJC court form and start typing. Shared case details are available as you work, and information entered on one form can be reused across related forms in the same matter. Checkboxes, dates, assets, and other details are organized in a structured workflow to help reduce the risk of missing information.

For FL-144 filings, party names, case numbers, and matter details entered once are available across FL-140, FL-141, FL-142, FL-150, FL-170, and related forms in the same case.

Spend less time on re-entry, more time on the case.

• Open any court form and start typing — no lengthy setup required
• Shared case details and contacts are available across related forms — enter data once and reuse it throughout the case
• Assets, dates, and case details tracked and reused across the entire case
• Review and edit any field before printing or downloading
• Save client profiles for use throughout the lifecycle of the case