The key points
- FL-105 applies when spouses have children under 18 together.
- Custody, parenting time, and child support are separate issues.
- Child-related orders require appropriate judgment attachments.
- Agreement does not remove court review or the minimum waiting period.
Begin with the child-related opening information
Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, or UCCJEA (FL-105), accompanies the relevant opening papers when spouses have children under 18 together. It tells the court about the children’s residence and other custody cases.
Take time to check address history and related proceedings. A form should not guess a child’s history or omit another case because the parents currently agree. If another state or court is involved, seek individual legal help about jurisdiction.
FL-105 is used alongside the appropriate opening route. It does not replace a standard FL-100 petition or the FL-700 joint petition. The forms guide explains the different document groups.
Separate parenting decisions from support decisions
A parenting agreement needs to address custody and parenting time. A child support provision addresses financial support. Settling one does not automatically settle the other.
The California catalog includes Child Custody and Visitation Order Attachment (FL-341) and Child Support Information and Order Attachment (FL-342). Additional attachments may be needed for the specific orders.
This website does not calculate support or recommend a parenting schedule. Those decisions require case-specific information and the applicable legal rules. Do not assume an informal split of expenses or time answers every question the court needs addressed.
The uncontested divorce guide describes the wider agreement, including property and spousal support, that sits alongside child-related terms.
Keep the financial documents complete
Preliminary financial disclosure remains required. Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) is part of the California financial set, together with the disclosure cover sheet and assets-and-debts information.
Accurate financial information matters to both support and the overall settlement. Keep the figures in the agreement, declarations, and proposed orders consistent. Ask about the correct treatment of uncertain or changing income instead of supplying a convenient estimate.
Additional support-related documents can include FL-191 and FL-195, depending on the case. A short online checklist is not enough to identify every attachment. Use current court instructions for your judgment posture.
Think about the filing route and interim needs
Parents can use the standard divorce process. A joint petition may also be available for spouses planning to resolve all the issues together. Starting jointly does not remove the child information, disclosures, or final judgment requirements.
California Courts explains that the joint petition is not a route for requesting temporary orders while keeping the joint procedure. If you need interim custody or support orders, read the official guidance and get help choosing the correct procedure.
Summary dissolution has separate eligibility conditions and is not the same as filing jointly with FL-700. Do not apply summary-dissolution descriptions to a case involving minor children.
Review the final package as a whole
The judgment needs the appropriate custody and support attachments in addition to the general dissolution papers. The court reviews the proposed orders. Parents agreeing does not guarantee automatic approval.
Read the names, dates, amounts, and obligations in every attachment before signing. Ask for clarification if a form does not match the written agreement. Court self-help staff can explain forms, and a lawyer can advise about individual rights and the consequences of proposed terms.
The standard 6-month minimum still applies. The presence of children does not create an automatic completion date. Use the timeline guide to distinguish the legal minimum from the time needed to finish the paperwork and court review.
Understand the guideline calculation before agreeing to support
California uses guideline child support. The California form data identifies both parents’ incomes and parenting time as inputs, with FL-150 supplying relevant financial information. A simple promise to divide expenses is not a substitute for working out the guideline amount.
The calculation can involve other legally relevant information. Use the court’s support guidance or ask the family law facilitator for help. This website does not supply a calculation or infer a proper amount from a parenting schedule.
If parents agree to a different amount, additional findings may be required. The proposed order should state the required guideline information and satisfy the court’s rules. Health insurance and other required support terms also need attention. Check the child support instructions for the attachments and notices to include.
The agreement article explains why the proposed Judgment must reflect the actual settlement and required terms.
Check Family Court Services orientation and local requirements
If a judge is being asked to decide disputed custody or parenting time, California Courts describes a mediation step before the hearing. The county may use mediation or recommending counseling. Follow the court’s notice and orientation instructions.
Do not import another state’s general parenting-class rule into a California case. Check what your own court orders or offers, including the format and timing of any orientation. Parenting education and court-connected custody mediation are not interchangeable labels.
Read the mediation comparison to distinguish parenting discussions from child support calculations and property negotiations. Having children does not itself create a longer statewide divorce minimum, but unresolved issues and additional steps can affect the total time.
Common questions
Can we have an uncontested divorce with children in California?
Yes. Having children does not by itself prevent an agreed divorce, but the agreement and final papers must address custody, parenting time, and child support as well as the other issues. The UCCJEA declaration (FL-105) provides information about the children’s residence and related proceedings. It does not create a custody or support order by itself. The court still reviews the proposed orders. California summary dissolution is a separate route and is not available with minor children together.
What is FL-105 used for?
FL-105 is the UCCJEA declaration. It supplies information about where children have lived and other custody proceedings. It does not itself create a complete custody or child support order.
Does a joint petition avoid the child-related forms?
No. If you have children under 18 together, the joint petition instructions also call for FL-105. The final case still needs the appropriate custody and support terms and attachments.
Can this site calculate my child support?
No. This informational site does not collect financial details or calculate a support order. Ask the court self-help center or a California lawyer about the information and procedure needed for your circumstances.
Do children make the minimum waiting period longer?
The California data does not identify a separate statewide minimum for standard divorce based on having children. The case can still take longer because of issues to resolve, additional documents, and court review.
Official California references
Requirements and forms can change. Check the current instructions and your local court’s requirements. This page is not an attorney-reviewed legal opinion.