Updated California Custody/Visitation Forms for 2026: What Parents in San Bernardino County Should Know Before Filing
The start of a new year is the ideal time to review important legal documents, particularly those that affect your children. If you’re currently navigating custody or visitation issues in California, it’s important to note that Form FL-311, Child Custody and Visitation Application Attachment, was updated as of January 1, 2026. Changes to this form can affect your case, which is why we recommend discussing your options with a California child custody lawyer.
At Ewaniszyk Law Firm, our team of child custody lawyers strives to help parents protect their rights and make the best possible choices for their children. Attorney Diana L. Spidall has worked in family law for many years, helping parents with customized parenting and visitation plans that fit their unique needs and schedules. If you’re concerned about how changes to FL-311 may affect your case, call our child custody law firm at 760-245-7310 now.
Why Form Updates Matter in Custody and Visitation Cases
California family courts require that all involved parties use the most current version of legal forms. Clerks can and do reject filings with outdated forms—even if the information on the form is the same as what you’ll find on the update form.
On top of that, changes to these forms are rarely just cosmetic. While legislators may make changes that help the form flow better and be easier to read, changes to forms also affect how custody schedules are described, how exchanges are handled, and how enforceable an order will be if challenged.
Overview of FL-311, Revised January 1 of 2026
Form FL-311 is one of the most commonly used forms in California’s family law system, with child custody attorneys and parents using this form to detail custody agreements. Courts generally incorporate the information from FL-311 directly into final custody orders, highlighting how important it is to use the correct (and most recent) form.
The January 1, 2026 revision replaces all prior versions of the form. New filings as of 2026 and beyond must use the updated version or risk rejection.
What Changed on FL-311?
The first change to FL-311 is visible the moment you look at the form. The old version of FL-311 gets right into the parties’ names and what they’re requesting. The new version starts with an outlined box reminding petitioners of California’s public policies and law, noting that children should have frequent and continuing contact with both parents, that the court considers the best interests of the child, and that judges use laws to help protect children when abuse is a factor in a case.
The old version of FL-311 has a fairly complex breakdown of the visitation schedule, with numerous subsections under 2(e). FL-311 makes this section a bit easier to follow and less confusing, putting the actual visitation schedule in a separate section. The new version of the form also has a section on virtual visitation and other ways that visitation can happen.
The newest version of FL-311 has a section on child custody and visitation for cases involving allegations or a history of abuse/substance abuse. This section is not present on older versions of the form.
Finally, the newest version of the form has sections for the children’s holiday schedule and additional custody provisions. Older versions required separate attachments.
Common Mistakes Parents Make With Custody Forms
One of the most common mistakes parents make, especially when they are not working with a child custody attorney, is using whichever version of a form they find online. While California courts provide the most updated versions of forms on multiple websites, there are also many other websites with old, outdated versions of forms that you can download. If a parent happens to find one of those first, they could have their filing rejected and have to start over.
Parents also run into issues when they include conflicting or unclear information in their custody forms. When information conflicts with other sections of the form or other forms submitted with the same filing, the court will require clarification or updated forms before issuing a final order.
Choose Our Child Custody Law Firm and Contact Us Today
Whether you need help with an initial child custody order or a modification, our law firm is here to help. Get in touch with us online or call us at 760-245-7310.
Mr. Ewaniszyk was first admitted to practice law in 1982 and he lived and raised his family in the High Desert since 1986. He has successfully represented hundreds of clients each year suffering from serious and catastrophic personal injuries, those accused of criminal offenses, people going through divorce and family law matters, and families facing bankruptcy. Mr. Ewaniszyk has tried many cases in both Federal and State Courts during his extensive career and previously served for five years as the City Attorney for the City of Adelanto. Learn more here.