Family Law Forms, California
FL 347 – Bifurcation of Status of Marriage or Domestic Partnership Attachment
If you’re navigating a California divorce and want to become legally single before resolving property, custody, or support issues, you need to understand FL-347. This page explains what the form does, how to download it, and when working with an experienced family law attorney makes the difference.
What Is Form FL-347 (Bifurcation of Status of Marriage or Domestic Partnership)?
FL-347 is the California Judicial Council form titled “Bifurcation of Status of Marriage or Domestic Partnership—Attachment.” Courts use this domestic partnership attachment when granting a request to end marital or partnership status separately from other divorce issues.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The order recorded on FL-347 makes each party legally single as of a specific date
- Property division, child custody, and support remain unresolved until separate court orders address them
- The current form has been in use since January 1, 2018, and remains valid in 2026
- Pinkham & Associates, APLC regularly handles FL-347 filings in Orange County divorce and legal separation cases
When Should You File FL-347 in a California Divorce or Domestic Partnership Case?
You file FL-347 when asking the judge to bifurcate—meaning to end your legal marriage or domestic partnership status while other matters stay pending.
Common scenarios include:
- Lengthy contested divorces in Orange County where property division may take years
- A spouse who wants to remarry after California’s mandatory six-month waiting period
- Cases involving health insurance concerns or emotional closure needs
- Parties who want to file taxes as individuals for upcoming tax years
California law requires a minimum six-month waiting period from service of the Petition (FL-100) before any divorce becomes final. Bifurcation doesn’t shorten this—it simply allows the status question to be resolved ahead of everything else.
The decision to pursue bifurcation is strategic. Work with a family law attorney who understands local court practices before moving forward.
How to Download FL-347 in California (Including Official Sources)
Getting the current FL-347 is straightforward if you follow these steps:
- Visit the official California Courts website at courts.ca.gov
- Search “FL-347” in the forms search bar
- Download the free fillable PDF directly—no subscription required
Additional options:
- Orange County Superior Court and other county websites link to the statewide form
- Pick up a printed copy at courthouses like the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange County
- Pinkham & Associates, APLC provides clients with current forms as part of divorce document preparation
Always use the Judicial Council site as your primary source to avoid outdated versions.
What FL-347 Does (and Does Not) Change in Your Divorce
Understanding the scope of FL-347 prevents costly mistakes.
What FL-347 changes:
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Parties become single as of a specified date |
| Tax filing | May file individually in future tax years |
| Name restoration | Former name can be restored |
| Remarriage | Permitted after the effective termination date |
| What FL-347 does NOT resolve: |
- Property division
- Child custody and parenting time
- Child support
- Spousal support
Courts often impose conditions when granting bifurcation, such as requiring maintenance of health insurance, setting out a family support order attachment, or ordering indemnification for tax consequences. Misunderstanding these conditions can lead to losing benefits tied to marital status.
How to Complete FL-347: Key Sections and Practical Tips
FL-347 is typically filed with a motion or as part of judgment papers. Completing it requires attention to detail.
Key completion steps:
- Match the court caption to your existing case (parties’ names, case number, court location)
- Specify the termination date—which must respect the six-month minimum waiting period
- Check boxes confirming preliminary financial disclosures have been exchanged
- Add only conditions that apply to your specific situation under California Family Code
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Checking every box regardless of relevance
- Omitting required disclosure confirmations
- Using outdated form versions
In high-asset Orange County cases involving retirement accounts or business interests, have a family law attorney review the form before submission; understanding how to choose the right divorce lawyer in Orange County is especially important when your financial future is at stake.
Who Commonly Uses FL-347 (And Why Work with Pinkham & Associates, APLC?)
FL-347 serves individuals in specific circumstances:
- Spouses in highly contested divorce proceedings in California
- Parties seeking emotional closure or wishing to remarry
- Individuals in domestic partnerships who need to change legal status while custody or financial issues continue
- High net worth divorces where business valuations could delay final judgment for years
Self-represented parties often misunderstand bifurcation’s implications on survivor benefits, retirement plans, and health insurance coverage. Working with an experienced Orange County divorce lawyer helps you understand and plan around these consequences.
Pinkham & Associates, APLC provides:
- Case-specific advice on whether bifurcation is advantageous
- Accurate preparation of FL-347 and related forms
- Representation at hearings where the court decides whether to grant your request
Contact us for a free consultation about structuring your divorce strategy.
FL-347, Judgment Paperwork, and the Overall California Divorce Timeline
Understanding where FL-347 fits in the process helps you plan effectively.
Typical divorce timeline:
- File and serve Petition and Summons
- Six-month minimum waiting period begins
- Exchange preliminary financial disclosures
- Negotiate or litigate property, support, and custody
- Prepare judgment paperwork (may include FL-347 and property orders using a Property Order Attachment to Judgment and a Judgment Checklist—Dissolution/Legal Separation)
FL-347 can be used either as a standalone bifurcation order or within a comprehensive judgment packet. Once the judge signs the order, the specified effective date determines when you’re legally single.
Errors in FL-347 delay judgment entry—particularly in busy courts like Orange County Superior Court. Pinkham & Associates handles end-to-end judgment preparation to minimize delays.
Legal Considerations, Risks, and Why to Get Legal Help Before Filing FL-347
Bifurcation isn’t just paperwork. Terminating status early carries real consequences:
| Risk Area | Potential Impact |
|---|---|
| Health insurance | May lose coverage as a spouse |
| Social Security | Could affect spousal benefit eligibility |
| Pension benefits | Survivorship options may change |
| Tax liability | Asset division after status termination creates exposure |
| Courts require conditions before granting bifurcation—such as securing pensions with a QDRO or maintaining life insurance—and those conditions are often formalized in a court’s findings and order after hearing. These must be properly negotiated and documented. |
Handling a bifurcation request without counsel can result in:
- Incomplete orders
- Denial of your request if key documents like a Proof of Service by Mail (FL-335) are missing or incorrect
- Long-term financial disadvantages
Schedule a free consultation with Pinkham & Associates, APLC to review whether FL-347 is right for your case and how to protect your financial and parental rights, including issues like spousal or partner support declarations (FL-157), default or uncontested dissolution judgments (FL-170), and stipulated child custody and visitation orders (FL-355). Email us or call our Orange County office to get started.
