"What Is Form FL-150? The Income and Expense Declaration Explained"

 

Disclaimer This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Court forms, filing requirements, and procedures are subject to change. Always verify current form versions at courts.ca.gov and consult a licensed California attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship with SuperDocs or any attorney.

 

If you handle family law cases in California, Form FL-150 — the Income and Expense Declaration — is one of the most frequently required documents in your filing package. It appears in divorce proceedings, custody disputes, domestic violence cases, and any matter where the court needs to evaluate support. Getting it right is not optional.

An incomplete or inaccurate FL-150 can undermine a support request, trigger a continuance, or give opposing counsel grounds to challenge the declaration. For attorneys and paralegals, the goal is to prepare it thoroughly, consistently, and in alignment with the rest of the financial disclosure package.

 

Why FL-150 Matters

California courts cannot make informed support orders — whether spousal, partner, or child support — without reliable financial information from both parties. FL-150 is the primary document that provides it.

Unlike many CJC forms that are filed once and rarely revisited, FL-150 has a shelf life. Courts treat declarations older than 90 days as stale, and judges routinely require updated versions before hearings. That means FL-150 is not a one-time task — it is a recurring part of active case management.

 

When Is FL-150 Required?

FL-150 is required in any family law matter where support is at issue, including:

•     Dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership proceedings involving spousal or child support

•     Requests for temporary support orders

•     Modifications of existing support orders

•     Contempt proceedings involving support obligations

•     Domestic violence restraining order hearings where support is requested

•     Legal separation matters involving support

 

It is typically filed alongside FL-100 or a Request for Order (FL-300) whenever support is part of the relief being requested.

 

How to Complete FL-150: Section-by-Section Guide

1. Employment Information

Identify your client’s current employer, job title, and how long they have been employed there. If self-employed, indicate that here and be prepared to provide additional documentation. Accuracy is critical — inconsistencies between FL-150 and pay stubs or tax returns create credibility problems.

2. Age and Education

Enter the party’s age and highest level of education completed. Courts use this information to assess earning capacity, which becomes relevant in long-term marriages or cases where one party has been out of the workforce.

3. Tax Information

Indicate the most recent tax filing status and how many exemptions were claimed. If taxes have not been filed recently, note that and be prepared to explain why. Attach the most recent federal tax return if required by local rules or court order.

4. Other Party’s Income

Enter your best estimate of the other party’s monthly income. If unknown, indicate that clearly rather than leaving it blank. Courts understand that parties do not always have access to the other side’s financials, but a blank field without explanation raises questions.

5. Income

This section is the core of FL-150. List all sources of gross monthly income including wages, overtime, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, dividends, interest, unemployment, disability, Social Security, pension, and any other regular source of income. Use average monthly figures where income fluctuates. Attach pay stubs covering the last two months.

6. Investment and Business Assets

Disclose interests in real property, businesses, stocks, bonds, and other investment assets. This section is often underreported, which courts notice when comparing FL-150 to other financial disclosures in the case.

7. Deductions

List all mandatory payroll deductions including taxes, Social Security, Medicare, state disability insurance, union dues, and required retirement contributions. These reduce gross income to arrive at net monthly income, which is what most support calculations are based on.

8. Monthly Expenses

Itemize monthly living expenses for the party and any children in their care. Be specific and realistic — courts are experienced at identifying inflated or underreported expense declarations.

9. Assets

List all assets including cash, bank accounts, vehicles, real property, retirement accounts, and personal property of significant value. Values must be consistent with the Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure (FL-140).

10. Installment Payments and Debts

Disclose all recurring debt obligations — credit cards, loans, and any other monthly payment commitments. Courts consider debt load when assessing ability to pay support.

 

Mistakes and Best Practices

The most common problems to avoid:

•     Reporting gross income without clearly distinguishing it from net income

•     Omitting irregular income sources such as bonuses, commissions, or rental income

•     Leaving the other party’s income section blank without explanation

•     Filing a declaration that is more than 90 days old at the time of the hearing

•     Inconsistencies between FL-150 figures and attached tax returns or pay stubs

 

And the workflow habits that prevent them:

•     Collect pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements during intake

•     Cross-check FL-150 figures against FL-140 and FL-142 before filing

•     Calendar a 90-day review date whenever FL-150 is filed

•     Have the client review the completed declaration carefully before signing

 

Companion Forms Filed with FL-150

FL-150 rarely stands alone. The standard financial disclosure package includes:

•     FL-140 — Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure

•     FL-142 — Schedule of Assets and Debts

•     FL-160 — Property Declaration (for cases with significant assets)

•     FL-300 — Request for Order (when filing for temporary support)

 

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 fill in as you go, and information entered on one form is available across related forms in the same matter. Checkboxes, dates, assets, and other details are tracked behind the scenes so nothing gets missed.

For FL-150 filings, financial data entered once is available across FL-140, FL-142, 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

 

 

Ready to Get Started with SuperDocs? Open any CJC court form and start typing. Try it free for 7 days — no payment required.  Get Started Free at superdocs.com