FL-105 Guidance: UCCJEA (California)

When initiating a divorce proceeding involving children in California, you may need to fill out the FL-105 UCCJEA form. This form is required when any legal action involves determining custody and visitation arrangements, as it provides the court detailed information about the children's residence history for the past five years. The purpose of this form is to help the court establish jurisdiction over child custody matters under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). - You might start by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (FL-100) if you're initiating a divorce. - The filing of a Summons (FL-110) will often precede the need for this form, as it notifies the other party of the legal action. - Sometimes this form is accompanied by a Request for Order (FL-300) asking the court to make decision on specific issues in the divorce, and set the date, time and location of any hearing(s). - If there's an emergency, you might need a Temporary Emergency Court Order (FL-305), which also necessitates providing information about the children. Completing the FL-105 form is triggered by the presence of minor children in the marriage and the need to address their living arrangements and visitation rights post-separation. It ensures that the custody decision is made by the appropriate court and is crucial for anyone involved in a divorce or custody battle, including to finalize a divorce proceeding. Failing to provide accurate information can lead to legal complications, making this one of the first steps in a custody-related legal process.