RulesofCivilProcedure.com Civil Procedure · Every State

Rule 5.310.Use of existing family law forms

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 10. Government Child Support Cases (Title IV-D Support Cases) · Last amended 2007 · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.310 lets an existing family law form be used in a government support case even though it has no box for the other parent — the filer adds one to the caption.

Full Text of Rule 5.310

Text size

When an existing family law form is required or appropriate for use in a title IV-D support action, the form may be used notwithstanding the absence of a notation for the other parent as a party under Family Code section 17404. The caption of the form must be modified by the person filing it by adding the words “Other parent:” and the name of the other parent to the form.
End

Plain-English Summary

Government support cases have a party the ordinary family law forms were not drawn for: the "other parent," who is neither petitioner nor respondent. Rather than wait for new forms, the rule permits the existing ones to be used despite the absence of that notation.

The fix is done by hand and is the filer’s job: modify the caption by adding the words "Other parent:" and the name of the other parent to the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a regular family law form in a child support agency case?

Yes, where the form is required or appropriate, even though it has no notation for the other parent as a party. The person filing must add "Other parent:" and that parent’s name to the caption.

Who changes the caption to add the other parent?

The person filing the form. Rule 5.310 puts that on the filer rather than the clerk: the caption must be modified by adding the words “Other parent:” and the name of the other parent.

Amendment History

Rule 5.310 amended effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1280.2 effective July 1, 1997; previously amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2003.

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified September 10, 2026. · Official source
Also known as: other parent caption family law formtitle IV-D forms CaliforniaFamily Code 17404 other parent