The FL-150 is the Income and Expense Declaration, the California form where you report your income, expenses, and financial picture so the court and your spouse can see it. It’s the form that support runs on: because California calculates child and spousal support largely from each person’s finances, the FL-150 provides the numbers that feed those calculations. If any part of your divorce involves support, the FL-150 is one of the most important documents you’ll complete, and one where accuracy really counts.
If the FL-150 came up in your case, this guide explains what goes on it, when it’s needed, and why getting it right matters.
Quick note first: California Divorce Pros is a registered Legal Document Assistant service, not a law firm. We prepare divorce forms, including the FL-150, based on the financial information you provide. We don’t give legal advice. Here’s what this form is about.
Key Takeaways
– The FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration reports your income and expenses to the court.
– The court uses it to make orders for child support, spousal support, and fees.
– It’s central whenever support is part of your divorce.
– Both spouses typically complete one, since support depends on both incomes.
– Accuracy matters, the numbers here directly affect support outcomes.
What the FL-150 Does
The FL-150 gives a structured snapshot of your finances: your income (from all sources), your expenses, and other relevant financial details. Its purpose is to put the facts the court needs in one place so it can make informed decisions about money, primarily support.
Because California uses each parent’s income as a major input in the child support guideline, and considers each spouse’s finances for spousal support, the FL-150 is where those numbers come from. It’s shared with your spouse too, so both sides are working from disclosed, declared figures rather than guesses. In short, the FL-150 is the financial foundation for any support-related decision in your case.
What Goes On It
While the specifics can vary, the FL-150 generally captures things like:
- Your income from employment and other sources.
- Tax filing status and certain deductions.
- Your monthly expenses and financial obligations.
- Information relevant to support and, where applicable, attorney’s fees.
The goal is a complete, honest picture. Because it’s signed under penalty of perjury, the figures need to be accurate, understating income or overstating expenses isn’t just a paperwork problem, it can undermine your case and create real issues.
Need help pulling your financial picture together? Book a free consultation and we’ll walk you through it.
When You Need the FL-150
The FL-150 comes up whenever finances and support are in play, which is most divorces with support or fee issues. It’s commonly used:
- As part of your financial disclosures.
- When support (child or spousal) is being determined.
- Whenever the court needs your income and expense picture to make an order.
For how the numbers translate into support, see our guides on child support in California and spousal support in California. Both spouses generally complete an FL-150, since support depends on comparing both incomes.
Why Accuracy Matters So Much
The FL-150 is one of those forms where precision has direct consequences. The support numbers, what someone pays or receives, flow from the figures declared here. Mistakes, omissions, or inconsistencies can lead to an incorrect support order, a rejected filing, or disputes down the road. And because it’s a sworn declaration, inaccuracies carry weight beyond mere paperwork errors.
This is also a spot where legal advice can matter: if your income is complex (self-employment, variable pay) or support is contested, an attorney may be worth consulting. As a document preparation service, we prepare the FL-150 from the information you provide, but we don’t advise you on support strategy. It’s part of the broader divorce forms picture where getting the details right pays off.
How California Divorce Pros Helps
We prepare your FL-150 based on the financial information you provide, organizing it accurately and completely so it’s consistent with the rest of your paperwork and ready for the court. You supply the numbers; we make sure they’re presented correctly. If your finances are complicated or support is disputed, we’ll be honest that an attorney may be worth consulting. Here’s how our process works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FL-150 form in California?
It’s the Income and Expense Declaration, where you report your income, expenses, and financial details. The court uses it to make support and fee orders.
Why does the court need my FL-150?
Because support in California is calculated largely from each person’s finances. The FL-150 provides the income and expense figures that feed child and spousal support decisions.
Do both spouses complete an FL-150?
Generally yes. Support depends on comparing both incomes, so each spouse typically files their own Income and Expense Declaration.
What if my income is complicated?
If you’re self-employed or have variable or hard-to-document income, the FL-150 can get tricky, and support may be contested. In those situations, consulting a family law attorney is worthwhile.
Can California Divorce Pros prepare the FL-150?
Yes. We prepare the FL-150 from the financial information you provide, accurately and consistently with your other paperwork. We don’t provide legal advice on support.
The Bottom Line
The FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration is the financial heart of any support decision in a California divorce, it’s where your income and expenses are declared so the court can set child support, spousal support, and fees. Both spouses usually complete one, and because the numbers directly drive support, accuracy is essential.
If you want your FL-150 prepared accurately and consistently with the rest of your paperwork, that’s exactly what we do.
Book your free consultation today → and let’s get your financial paperwork done right.
California Divorce Pros is a registered and bonded Legal Document Assistant service. We are not attorneys, do not provide legal advice or representation, and cannot recommend legal forms or strategy. Document preparation is provided at the direction of the client under California Business & Professions Code §§ 6400 to 6415. For legal advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
