What Is Form FL-110 (Summons) in California Family Law?
Form FL-110 is the official california divorce form known as the Summons. This document is required to begin any divorce, legal separation, or nullity case in California Superior Court. It formally notifies your spouse or domestic partner that a lawsuit has been filed.
Pinkham & Associates, APLC helps clients in Orange County complete and serve FL-110 correctly at local courts, including the Lamoreaux Justice Center. The form tells the other person that a court case has been opened and warns them they have 30 days to file a response.
FL-110 also applies to certain custody-only and parentage cases—not just divorce. It works together with the petition (FL-100 or related forms). For example, if John is filing for divorce in Orange County, he must file FL-100 and FL-110 together to properly start his case.
When and Why You Must Use FL-110 in a California Divorce or Family Law Case
FL-110 is mandatory whenever you file a new family law case in California Superior Court. This includes dissolution of marriage, legal separation, nullity, custody/visitation arrangements, and parentage actions.
The Summons is filed simultaneously with the Petition:
- FL-100 for divorce, legal separation, or nullity
- FL-200 for parentage
- FL-260 for custody and support requests
Without a properly completed FL-110, the court cannot recognize that the respondent has been formally notified. This can delay or derail your entire case. The respondent has 30 calendar days after proper service to file their response, and failing to respond allows the petitioner to pursue a default judgment.
Additionally, FL-110 contains Standard Family Law Restraining Orders that automatically apply to both parties once service is complete.
Step-by-Step: How to Complete Form FL-110 Summons
This section walks through FL-110 line-by-line for typical Orange County divorce and legal separation filings.
Filling In Court, Party, and Attorney Information
The top-left caption block requires:
- Court name and branch: “Superior Court of California, County of Orange – Lamoreaux Justice Center”
- Street address: 341 The City Drive South
- City, State, Zip: Orange, CA 92868
Leave the case number field blank initially—the clerk will stamp it after filing.
List the parties exactly as they appear on your Petition:
- Petitioner: The party who starts the case (referred to as the filing party)
- Respondent: The party being served and sued
If Pinkham & Associates, APLC represents the petitioner, the firm’s name, Orange County mailing address, and phone number go in the attorney information section. Self-represented individuals write their own contact information as “In Pro Per.” Using a safe mailing address like a P.O. box is allowed and can be important in domestic violence or high-conflict situations.
Key Notices and “Fine Print” on Page 1
The central portion of page 1 contains the “You have been sued” notice in English and Spanish. This text warns the respondent they have 30 calendar days from proper service to file a Response (such as FL-120) with the court.
The notice makes clear that failure to respond allows the court to make orders about:
- Property division
- Child custody and visitation
- Child support and spousal support, including enforcement of unpaid support through an Application to Determine Arrearages (FL-490)
This section is intended primarily for the respondent, but petitioners should also read it to understand what happens after service. Pinkham & Associates, APLC offers free initial consultations to review these rights in detail.
Page 2 of FL-110: Automatic Family Law Restraining Orders
Page 2 has no blanks to fill in but imposes automatic Standard Family Law Restraining Orders on both spouses once the Summons and Petition are properly served.
Key restrictions include:
- No removing minor children from California without written consent or court order
- No transferring, hiding, or disposing of property except for routine expenses
- No changing insurance beneficiaries
- No creating or modifying nonprobate transfers like trusts
These are not domestic violence restraining orders—they preserve the financial and parenting status quo during your case and interact with financial disclosure requirements like the Declaration of Disclosure (FL-140). Violating them can result in monetary sanctions, adverse property division, or contempt findings that will ultimately be reflected in a Findings and Order After Hearing (FL-340). For example, cashing out a 401(k) during the case without consent can violate these orders.
Health Insurance and the Affordable Care Act Notice
Page 2 explains that you cannot remove your spouse or children from existing health insurance while the case is pending, except in limited situations.
Once the divorce is finalized, an ex-spouse generally loses coverage under the other’s family plan. The form references options under the Affordable Care Act, COBRA, and Covered California. Clients should consult both a benefits administrator and an experienced family law attorney early to avoid coverage gaps.
Serving FL-110 and the Petition: Making Service Count
Service of process means someone 18 or older who is not a party to the case personally delivers FL-110 and the Petition to the respondent. The petitioner may not serve their own spouse in California.
Documents typically served together:
- FL-110 (Summons)
- FL-100 (Petition)
- Orange County court cover sheets
- Any additional filed attachments
After service, the server must complete and file a Proof of Service (such as FL-115), and later may need to address additional procedural forms such as an Appearance, Stipulations, and Waivers (FL-130). The 30-day response clock starts only after valid service. Common problems in Orange County include using the wrong address for a respondent who has moved or forgetting to file Proof of Service. Pinkham & Associates regularly corrects such issues for new clients.
Respondent’s 30-Day Deadline and Options
The respondent has 30 calendar days from valid service to file their Response form (FL-120 for divorce, FL-220 for parentage) with the court listed on FL-110.
Options include:
- File a formal Response and participate fully
- Negotiate and sign a Stipulated Judgment
- Fail to respond and risk a default judgment
In high-asset or complex custody cases, responding on time is critical to protect property rights and parenting time, and carefully choosing the right divorce lawyer in Orange County can significantly affect the outcome. Pinkham & Associates assists both petitioners proceeding by default and respondents who are ready to meet their deadline.
FL-110 in Custody, Visitation, and Parentage (Paternity) Cases
FL-110 is not limited to divorce. It applies to many custody-only and parentage cases as well. When a parent files a Petition to Establish Parental Relationship (FL-200), they typically file FL-110 simultaneously.
The same 30-day response deadline and automatic restraining orders apply, though these cases focus on:
- Legal parentage
- Child custody and visitation
- Child support (not property division or spousal support)
For parents who have never been married, FL-110 still functions as the formal summons. Pinkham & Associates regularly uses FL-110 in contested custody cases, such as a father filing in 2026 to establish custody and support for his child.
How FL-110 Interacts with Custody & Support Requests
FL-110 itself does not contain custody or support requests. However, it must be served with the Petition and related forms like FL-311 for parenting time or FL-300 for temporary orders.
Proper service allows the court to make temporary custody and support orders at early hearings, which often rely on accurate income information from forms such as the Financial Statement (Simplified) FL-155. Missing or defective service of FL-110 can delay those hearings significantly in Orange County.
Common Mistakes with FL-110 and How an Orange County Family Law Attorney Helps
FL-110 appears simple, but small errors create significant delays:
- Using the wrong court address
- Listing parties’ names inconsistently with the Petition
- Failing to have someone else complete service
- Not filing Proof of Service
- Misunderstanding automatic restraining orders
In high-asset divorces, these errors can give the other spouse time to transfer or conceal assets, and sometimes justify filing a Request for Separate Trial (FL-315) on key financial issues. Pinkham & Associates routinely reviews and corrects summons and service problems for clients who first tried filing on their own.
Why Work with Pinkham & Associates, APLC on Your FL-110 and Divorce Case
The firm focuses exclusively on California family law in Orange County—divorce, custody, support, and property division. This means daily, practical experience with forms like FL-110.
Working with a boutique firm provides direct attorney access, personalized strategies, and the ability to handle both settlements and courtroom litigation. Pinkham & Associates assists from completing FL-110 through discovery, settlement conferences, responding to requests for orders with a Responsive Declaration (FL-320), and trial if necessary.
Next Steps: Getting Help with FL-110 and Starting Your California Family Law Case
FL-110 is the mandatory summons that officially opens your California family law case and triggers automatic restraining orders once served.
Your next steps:
- Gather basic information about your relationship and marriage
- Consult with a family law attorney
- Complete and file the Petition and FL-110
- Ensure proper service
- Calendar the respondent’s 30-day deadline
If you are in Orange County considering divorce, custody, support, or a high-asset separation, contact Pinkham & Associates, APLC for a free consultation. You can watch your case move forward with confidence when experienced counsel handles FL-110 and your entire case strategy. Call the office or submit an online consultation request to get started today.
