FL-145 Guidance: Form Interrogatories (California)

In the context of a California divorce process, the FL-145 Form Interrogatories—Family Law is typically utilized during the discovery phase. This stage is crucial as it requires both parties to exchange relevant financial and personal information to ensure a fair division of assets, debts, and determination of support obligations. The use of this form would be triggered after one party initiates the divorce proceedings by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (form FL-100) and serving it to the other party. - **Filing of Initial Petition**: This involves the preparation and submission of the FL-100 form to commence the divorce process. - **Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure**: Prior to using FL-145, both parties might exchange preliminary financial disclosures, usually involving forms such as the FL-142 Schedule of Assets and Debts. - **Request for Discovery**: If additional information is required beyond what the initial disclosures provide, a party might trigger the need for comprehensive discovery through form interrogatories. Once these initial steps are in motion, the FL-145 form acts as a formal request for detailed information that can influence decisions on asset allocation, support calculations, and other significant legal obligations. Properly responding to these interrogatories ensures transparency and aids in reaching an equitable resolution in the divorce proceedings.