How to Fill Out and Submit the California FL-182 Judgment Checklist

The FL-182 judgment checklist is an optional California Judicial Council form that lists every document a court may need to process a default or uncontested divorce or legal separation judgment.1Judicial Council of California. FL-182 Judgment Checklist—Dissolution/Legal Separation The form’s own instructions say it “may be filed along with your judgment, but is not required.” Even so, placing a completed FL-182 on top of the packet gives the clerk a roadmap and lets you catch missing pieces before they trigger a rejection.

When the FL-182 Applies

The checklist covers two case types: a true default, where the respondent was served but never filed a Response within 30 days, and an uncontested matter, where the respondent did respond and the two spouses signed a written agreement resolving every issue.2California Courts | Self Help Guide. Judgment Checklist—Dissolution/Legal Separation (FL-182)3California Courts | Self Help Guide. How to Finish Your Divorce if Your Spouse Didn’t Respond Once you request entry of default using Form FL-165, the respondent loses the ability to respond unless the court grants permission.

The FL-182 does not apply to contested cases that went to trial. Those follow a different post-hearing procedure and use different forms.

How to Fill Out the FL-182

Download the current version from the California Courts website. The form is laid out in three columns, one for each scenario: default without agreement, default with agreement, and uncontested. Use only the column that matches your case.

Header and Case Information

Enter the petitioner’s and respondent’s full legal names exactly as they appear on the Petition (FL-100), along with the case number. A mismatch between the names or case number on the checklist and the rest of the packet is one of the simplest reasons a packet gets bounced back, so check both against the filed petition.

Checking the Boxes

Work down your column and check the box next to each document you are including. The FL-182 groups items into categories: the judgment itself, proof of service, financial declarations, child-related orders, support orders, and property orders. Leave boxes blank for categories that don’t apply — if you have no children, skip the child sections. The bottom of the form has space to note whether children are involved and whether there is community property or debt.

Signature

Sign and date the form at the bottom. If you have an attorney, the attorney signs. The signature confirms you reviewed the checklist and that every checked item is actually in the packet.

What Goes Behind the Checklist: Default With No Agreement

A default judgment without a written agreement carries the heaviest paperwork load because the court has only the petitioner’s evidence to work with. The core forms listed on the FL-182 are:1Judicial Council of California. FL-182 Judgment Checklist—Dissolution/Legal Separation

  • Request to Enter Default (FL-165), with a stamped envelope addressed to the respondent using the court clerk’s return address.
  • Proof of Service of Summons (FL-115).
  • Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure (FL-141). In a true default with no agreement, this form also lets the petitioner waive the final disclosure requirement under Family Code section 2110.
  • Declaration for Default or Uncontested Dissolution (FL-170), which supplies the factual basis for the judgment, including residency, date of separation, and details of the requested orders.
  • Judgment (FL-180), original plus copies. Most courts want the original and two copies, though the FL-182 lists five copies for the judgment.4California Courts | Self Help Guide. How to Finish Your Divorce by Default
  • Notice of Entry of Judgment (FL-190), which the clerk completes and mails after the judge signs.5Judicial Council of California. FL-190 Notice of Entry of Judgment
  • Two stamped envelopes large enough to hold the signed judgment and FL-190, one addressed to each party.

If Children Are Involved

Add these attachments and supporting declarations:

  • Child Custody and Visitation Order Attachment (FL-341), attached to FL-180.6Judicial Council of California. FL-180 Judgment (Family Law)
  • Child Support Information and Order Attachment (FL-342), also attached to FL-180.
  • Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150), unless you filed one within the past 90 days and nothing has changed.
  • Declaration Under UCCJEA (FL-105), updated if any information has changed since your last filing.
  • Notice of Rights and Responsibilities (FL-192).
  • Income Withholding for Support (FL-195).

If You Want Spousal Support or Property Orders

For spousal support, add the Spousal, Partner, or Family Support Order Attachment (FL-343), the Spousal or Partner Support Declaration Attachment (FL-157) attached to FL-170, and a current FL-150 if one isn’t on file within 90 days.

For dividing property and debts, include a Property Declaration (FL-160) and the Property Order Attachment to Judgment (FL-345). FL-344 is a different attachment used with Findings and Order After Hearing (FL-340), not with a final judgment.7California Courts | Self Help Guide. Property Order Attachment to Findings and Order After Hearing (FL-344)

Default With Agreement or Uncontested Cases

When both spouses sign a marital settlement agreement or stipulated judgment, the packet still includes FL-180, FL-170, FL-190, proof of service, and stamped envelopes. The main differences:

  • Both parties file FL-141 to confirm they served preliminary disclosures on each other.
  • To skip the final declaration of disclosure, both parties sign a Stipulation and Waiver of Final Declaration of Disclosure (FL-144).8California Courts | Self Help Guide. Share Your Financial Information
  • Attach the written agreement to the judgment or incorporate it by reference.
  • The same child, support, and property attachments apply when those issues are in the case.

Financial Disclosures Must Come First

Before submitting any judgment packet, both parties must exchange preliminary declarations of disclosure. The petitioner documents that service on Form FL-141.9Judicial Council of California. FL-141 Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure Skip this step and the court will reject the packet.

In a true default with no agreement, the petitioner can waive final disclosure on FL-141 under Family Code section 2110. In every other scenario, both parties either exchange final disclosures or jointly sign the FL-144 waiver.

How to Submit the Packet

Stack the completed FL-182 on top. Below it, place the forms in the order the checklist lists them. Include the original of each form plus two copies, and the two stamped return envelopes addressed to each party.

You can file in person at the family law clerk’s window of the superior court handling your case, which lets you fix obvious problems on the spot. You can also mail the packet, using the stamped envelopes to get your conformed copies back. Some counties accept electronic filing for family law judgments; check your local court’s website.

Fees

The initial divorce petition filing fee runs $435 to $450 depending on the county, and it’s paid when the petition is filed at the start of the case.10California Courts | Self Help Guide. File Your Divorce Forms If the fee wasn’t paid then, the court may require it before processing your judgment. The respondent owes a response filing fee in the same range unless the case went to default. If you can’t afford the fee, file a Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001).11California Courts | Self Help Guide. Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001)

Why Judgment Packets Get Rejected

Courts reject incomplete or inconsistent packets more often than most self-represented filers expect. Common problems:

  • Missing or defective proof of service. If FL-115 was never filed, or the service method on it doesn’t match what actually happened, the court has no proof of authority over the respondent.
  • Skipping “optional” attachments. FL-341, FL-342, FL-343, and FL-345 are labeled optional on their face, but unless the marital settlement agreement stands alone, courts expect them.
  • Missing copies or postage. Forgetting the stamped return envelopes, or providing insufficient postage, will get the packet returned.
  • Judgment exceeds the petition. In a default with no agreement, you cannot ask for more than what you requested in the original Petition (FL-100). If FL-180 includes an order never mentioned in the petition, the court will reject it.
  • Insufficient explanation for support. Even when both parties agree on a child support or spousal support number, the court needs the reasoning. If you’re not requesting support at all, you still have to explain why.

What Happens After You Submit

The clerk screens the packet first, matching your checked boxes on the FL-182 against what’s actually inside. If something is missing or inconsistent, the clerk returns the packet with a notice listing specific deficiencies. You fix and resubmit.

Once the packet is complete, a judge or commissioner reviews the proposed judgment to make sure the orders are legally sound and supported by the evidence. If something is unclear, the judicial officer issues a rejection notice explaining what to correct. Processing time varies widely by county and caseload, from a few weeks to several months.

Entry of Judgment and the Six-Month Waiting Period

When the judge signs FL-180, the clerk files it and mails the FL-190 to both parties using the envelopes you provided.5Judicial Council of California. FL-190 Notice of Entry of Judgment The FL-190 shows the type of judgment and the date of entry.

Your marital status doesn’t change on the signature date. California Family Code section 2339 requires a minimum six months and one day from the date the respondent was served or first appeared, whichever came first, before a dissolution terminates the marriage.12California Legislative Information. California Family Code 2339 If that period has already run by the time the judge signs, your status changes on the entry date. If not, the judgment is entered but you remain married until the six-month-and-one-day mark. During that gap, property and support orders are enforceable, but neither party is legally single. The court can extend the waiting period for good cause, and neither party can shorten it.