After a judgment has been made in cases such as divorce, child support, or spousal support, it's not uncommon for financial circumstances to change, necessitating a review and possible adjustment of the initially decided terms. The FL-396 form, mandatory for use in the Superior Court of California, plays a critical role in this process. It is essentially a request for the production of an updated Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150) from either the petitioner or respondent after judgment has been awarded. Endorsed by Family Code sections 3664(a) and 3665(a), the form serves as a structured means through which declarants can ask the opposing party to disclose current financial information, including attaching the most recent state and federal income tax returns. This requirement not only promotes transparency but also aids in assessing whether there's a need to modify child, spousal, or family support. The form outlines that this request can be made once a year post-judgment, even if no legal action is pending, thereby ensuring that financial support remains fair and reflective of current situations. It comes with a stern warning about the consequences of providing incomplete or inaccurate information, including the imposition of costs for obtaining correct data, potential contempt of court, and additional penalties, underscoring the critical nature of honesty in the completion of these financial disclosures.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Form Fl 396 |
| Form Length | 2 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 30 sec |
| Other names | fl 396, request income expense form, request income expense, request income declaration |