What Is Form FL-343? The Spousal, Partner, or Family Support Order 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-343 — the Spousal, Partner, or Family Support Order — is the document that memorializes support orders entered by the court. Whether the order arises from a stipulation, a hearing, or a judgment, FL-343 is the form that puts the support obligation in writing in a format the court can enforce.

A support order that is vague, incomplete, or inconsistent with the underlying judgment or stipulation creates enforcement problems that can outlast the case itself. For attorneys and paralegals, the goal is to prepare FL-343 with enough specificity that the order can be implemented and enforced without ambiguity.

 

Why FL-343 Matters

Support orders are among the most frequently enforced family law orders. Spousal support, partner support, and family support obligations affect both parties’ finances for months or years after a dissolution is finalized. FL-343 is the instrument through which those obligations are formally established, modified, or terminated.

Unlike some family law orders that address one-time events, support orders are ongoing and subject to change as circumstances evolve. A well-drafted FL-343 anticipates the most common post-order issues — payment method, tax treatment, termination events, and modification standards — and addresses them clearly so that future disputes are minimized.

 

When Is FL-343 Required?

FL-343 is used whenever the court enters, modifies, or terminates a spousal, partner, or family support order, including:

•     Temporary spousal or partner support orders entered during a dissolution proceeding

•     Permanent spousal or partner support orders entered as part of a dissolution judgment

•     Post-judgment modifications of an existing support order

•     Termination of a support order upon the occurrence of a triggering event such as remarriage or death

•     Family support orders — a combined child and spousal support order used in some cases for tax planning purposes

 

FL-343 is typically prepared after a hearing on FL-300 (Request for Order) or as part of the judgment package accompanying FL-180. In stipulated cases, FL-343 may also be prepared to memorialize an agreed support amount before the hearing.

 

Spousal Support vs. Partner Support vs. Family Support

FL-343 covers three related but distinct types of support obligations. Understanding the distinction is important for completing the form correctly:

•     Spousal support — support paid by one spouse to the other following dissolution of a marriage. The amount, duration, and terms are determined by the court based on the factors set out in California Family Code section 4320.

•     Partner support — the equivalent of spousal support in a dissolution of a domestic partnership. The same statutory factors apply.

•     Family support — a combined support order that encompasses both child support and spousal or partner support in a single payment. Family support is sometimes used for tax planning purposes because the entire amount may be deductible by the paying party and taxable to the receiving party, unlike child support which has no tax consequences. Consult a licensed attorney or tax advisor before recommending family support, as the tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and applicable law.

 

How to Complete FL-343: 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-343 and FL-180 or the underlying stipulation can cause confusion about which order controls.

2. Type of Order

Check the appropriate box to identify whether the order is for spousal support, partner support, or family support. Also indicate whether the order is a new order, a modification of an existing order, or a termination. If modifying an existing order, identify the prior order being modified by date and case number if available.

3. Payor and Payee

Identify the payor — the party obligated to pay support — and the payee — the party entitled to receive support. Use the exact names as they appear in the case caption. Errors in payor and payee identification can create confusion in enforcement proceedings.

4. Support Amount

State the monthly support amount with specificity. If the amount varies — for example, a step-down provision where support reduces over time — set out each amount and the date on which each change takes effect. Vague provisions such as “reasonable support” are not enforceable and should not be used.

5. Commencement Date

State the date from which support is owed. In most cases this is the date of the order or the date of filing of the request for order. Retroactive support provisions require specific findings and should be addressed carefully. Confirm the commencement date is consistent with what was argued at the hearing or set out in the stipulation.

6. Duration and Termination

State the duration of the support obligation and the events that will terminate it. Common termination events for spousal or partner support include:

•     The death of either party

•     The remarriage or registration of a new domestic partnership by the supported party

•     A specific end date agreed to by the parties or ordered by the court

•     Further order of the court

 

If the court is reserving jurisdiction over support — meaning no amount is currently ordered but the court retains the ability to award support in the future — state that clearly. A support order that is silent on reservation may be interpreted as a termination of jurisdiction, which can have significant consequences if circumstances change.

7. Payment Method

Specify how support is to be paid. Common methods include direct payment between the parties, payment through the California State Disbursement Unit (SDU) via an earnings assignment (wage garnishment), or electronic funds transfer. If an earnings assignment is ordered or requested, a separate Earnings Assignment Order for Spousal or Partner Support (FL-435) will need to be prepared.

8. Tax Treatment

For orders entered after December 31, 2018, spousal and partner support is generally not deductible by the payor or includable in the income of the payee under federal tax law as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Note the applicable tax treatment in FL-343 if required by local rules or the parties’ agreement. For family support orders, the tax treatment may differ — consult a licensed attorney or tax advisor for guidance specific to the case.

9. Modification Standard

State whether the support order is modifiable or non-modifiable. Most California support orders are modifiable upon a showing of a material change in circumstances. If the parties have agreed to a non-modifiable support order — which is permissible under California law — state that clearly and confirm both parties understand the consequences of waiving the right to seek modification.

10. Other Provisions

Include any other terms relevant to the support obligation, such as requirements to maintain health insurance, life insurance, or other benefits for the supported party. Also include any agreed provisions regarding cost of living adjustments, review dates, or other conditions that affect the ongoing support obligation.

11. Date and Signatures

FL-343 is signed by the judge as a court order. In stipulated cases, it may also be signed by both parties and their attorneys before submission to the court for judicial signature. Verify that all required signatures are in place before filing. An unsigned FL-343 is not a valid court order.

 

FL-343 and the Earnings Assignment

In California, an earnings assignment — also known as a wage garnishment — is mandatory in most support cases unless the parties agree in writing to an alternative payment arrangement or the court orders otherwise. When an earnings assignment is required:

•     A separate Earnings Assignment Order for Spousal or Partner Support (FL-435) must be prepared alongside FL-343

•     FL-435 is served on the payor’s employer, who is then obligated to withhold support from the payor’s wages and remit it to the California State Disbursement Unit

•     The earnings assignment goes into effect immediately upon service on the employer unless stayed by court order

 

Preparing FL-343 and FL-435 together as a matched pair is standard practice in most California family law courts. Confirm local court rules for any additional requirements.

 

Mistakes and Best Practices

Because FL-343 governs an ongoing financial obligation, errors or omissions here create enforcement problems that can surface months or years later. The most common problems to avoid:

•     Stating the support amount in vague terms — the monthly dollar amount must be specific

•     Omitting the commencement date — courts need to know when the obligation begins

•     Leaving the termination and duration provisions incomplete or ambiguous

•     Failing to address the reservation of jurisdiction issue for spousal or partner support

•     Inconsistencies between FL-343 and FL-180 or the underlying stipulation or settlement agreement

•     Not preparing FL-435 alongside FL-343 when an earnings assignment is required

•     Submitting FL-343 without judicial signature — it is not a valid order until signed by the judge

 

And the workflow habits that prevent them:

•     Prepare FL-343 alongside FL-180 in dissolution cases and review both for consistency before submission

•     Cross-check the support amount, commencement date, and termination provisions against the hearing transcript, stipulation, or settlement agreement

•     Prepare FL-435 at the same time as FL-343 whenever an earnings assignment is required or anticipated

•     Confirm the modification standard is clearly stated — modifiable or non-modifiable — and that both parties understand the distinction

•     Verify local court rules for any county-specific requirements for support orders

 

Companion Forms Filed with FL-343

FL-343 is almost always prepared alongside related forms. Depending on the context, the companion forms may include:

•     FL-300 — Request for Order (the motion that initiated the support hearing)

•     FL-150 — Income and Expense Declaration (the financial basis for the support calculation)

•     FL-180 — Judgment (when FL-343 is part of the dissolution judgment package)

•     FL-435 — Earnings Assignment Order for Spousal or Partner Support (required in most cases where an earnings assignment is ordered)

•     FL-341 — Child Custody and Visitation Order (often entered at the same hearing as FL-343 in cases involving children)

 

How SuperDocs Can Help

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For FL-343 filings, party names, case numbers, and support details entered once are available across FL-300, FL-150, FL-180, and related forms in the same case.

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