Is the FL-940 legal advice?

No. The disclosure documents that the facilitator offers procedural help only and is not an attorney. It does not create an attorney-client relationship and should state limits clearly to avoid confusion.

Can the FL-940 be signed electronically?

Yes, electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied.

What if the signer’s name differs from ID?

Mismatched names should be resolved at intake. Record any alias or previous names and attach a copy of the ID to maintain reliable identification for the case file.

Who may sign the disclosure?

The individual receiving services signs. If a minor is involved or an authorized representative is acting, document the representative's authority and have the representative sign.

How long must the disclosure be kept?

Follow local court retention policy; federal guidance suggests minimums such as 3 years for IRS-related records and HIPAA's 6-year rule for health records when applicable.

What happens if the disclosure is unsigned?

Unsigned disclosures undermine proof of informed consent. If a client refuses to sign, document the refusal and the reasons, and follow local office procedures for proceeding or declining service.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Other
FL-940 Office of the Family Law Facilitator Disclosure

FL-940 Office of the Family Law Facilitator Disclosure

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

FL-940

OFFICE OF THE FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR
DISCLOSURE

The Family Law Facilitator is available to help both parents and all other parties who have questions about family law issues, including child support, spousal support, health insurance, and the availability of community resources to help families. The Family Law Facilitator can help you in preparing your own forms and can give you general information. The Family Law Facilitator cannot go with you to court.

The Family Law Facilitator IS NOT YOUR LAWYER, but is a neutral person who does not represent any parent or party. There is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Family Law Facilitator.

The Family Law Facilitator may provide information and services to the other party in your case.

Communications between you and the Family Law Facilitator are not confidential. You should consult with your own attorney if you want personalized advice or strategy, to have a confidential conversation, or to be represented by an attorney in court.

The Family Law Facilitator is not responsible for the outcome of your case.

I have read this Disclosure or have had it read to me. I understand this document.

Date:

I have translated or read the statement to the person requesting services.

Date:

Form Adopted by for Manditory Use
Judicial Council of California
FL- [Rev. January 1, 2003]

OFFICE OF THE FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR
DISCLOSURE
electronic form © 2002
WWW.LawCA.com
Law Publishers

page1 of 1
Family CodE
§10015

What the FL-940 Office of the Family Law Facilitator Disclosure Is

The FL-940 Office of the Family Law Facilitator Disclosure is a client-facing form used by family law facilitator programs to describe services, limits of the facilitator role, and basic intake details. It informs users that the facilitator is not an attorney, explains the scope of assistance (for example, procedural help, form preparation, and self-help resources), and collects contact and case-identifying information the office needs to open a file. The disclosure supports informed consent and helps users decide whether to pursue facilitator services or seek private counsel.

Why this disclosure matters for parties and the court

The FL-940 clarifies service boundaries, protects the court and facilitator program, and documents that a user received required consumer information. A clear, accurate disclosure reduces misunderstandings, preserves the integrity of assisted filings, and records consent where the facilitator cannot provide legal representation.

Typical users and stakeholders

Lead-in: Several parties interact with this form during intake, referral, and case processing.

Self-represented litigants seeking procedural help with family law forms and filings.
Family law facilitator staff documenting scope of assistance and client acknowledgments.
Court clerks and judicial officers who rely on intake records for case management.

Summary: The FL-940 is primarily a consumer-protection and recordkeeping document for non-attorney assistance in family law matters.

Step-by-step: Completing the FL-940

Follow these ordered steps to complete the FL-940 accurately and reduce follow-up questions.

01

1. Gather IDs: Collect government ID and case reference before intake.
02

2. Enter case data: Fill case number, party names, and contact details exactly.
03

3. Explain scope: Read or summarize facilitator limitations and services aloud.
04

4. Sign and retain: Obtain signature, date, and provide a copy to the user.

Configuring an online FL-940 workflow

When converting the FL-940 to an online process, map each paper field to a persistent digital field and set conditional prompts.

Field	Configuration
Client Name	Required text field, auto-capitalize, validation against ID upload
Case Number	Optional text field, pattern validation for court format
Scope Selection	Radio buttons with mandatory selection and contextual help
Signature	eSignature field with timestamp and signer attribution

Where completed FL-940 forms are routed

A clear routing path ensures the disclosure becomes part of the official case record and the client retains proof of receipt.

Facilitator Office: Primary retention location for intake records and service logs.
Court Clerk: Retain a copy when required by local filing rules or case file procedures.
Client Copy: Provide the signer a dated copy (paper or electronic) for their records.
Case Management System: Upload a PDF or indexed record to the court's case management system where applicable.

Technical considerations for digital delivery and e-signing

Digital completion requires secure hosting, reliable user authentication, and retention that meets legal standards.

Document Formats: PDF and DOCX accepted; ensure flattened PDF for archival
Authentication: Email link and optional SMS or KBA for stronger signer verification
Storage: Encrypted at rest (AES-256) with access logging

Ensure technology complies with ESIGN and UETA requirements and supports record reproduction for court review.

Timelines and expected processing for the disclosure

Timing expectations help users understand when records are created, reviewed, and incorporated into case files.

Intake Presentation:

Present and complete disclosure at first substantive contact or intake session.

Copy to Client:

Provide a dated copy immediately after signing for the client's records.

Upload to File:

Upload a PDF to the case file within the same business day when possible.

Retention Start:

Retention begins on the intake date recorded on the form.

Record Requests:

Allow client access per local public records or court policy timelines.

Key milestones from intake through case file integration

A sequential view of milestones ensures timely documentation and reduces administrative bottlenecks.

01

Intake Completed

Disclosure signed and intake recorded immediately after initial meeting.

02

Client Copy Provided

Client receives an electronic or printed copy before leaving intake.

03

File Indexing

Document uploaded and indexed in case management within 24 hours.

04

Retention Notice

Retention noted with entry for future records management.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the FL-940

Entering names that do not match government ID increases matching errors.
Skipping a signed copy for the client can cause disputes about what was disclosed.
Vague scope descriptions invite misunderstandings about services provided.
Failing to retain an audit log for electronic signatures complicates later verification.

Consequences of incomplete or incorrect disclosures

Service Denial: Incomplete forms may result in refusal of facilitator services.

Administrative Delay: Missing data can delay case file processing.

Confusion Over Role: Failure to document limits can lead clients to mistakenly rely on non-attorney advice.

Record Inadmissibility: Unsigned or unverifiable disclosures may be rejected as evidence.

Data Privacy Risk: Improper storage could expose personal information.

Regulatory Noncompliance: Violations of recordkeeping rules can prompt audits or sanctions.

Essential data elements to capture on the FL-940

Case Number: Court case identifier

Party Names: Full legal names

Contact Info: Phone and mailing address

Service Scope: Specific services provided

Acknowledgment: Checkboxes confirming understanding

Signature & Date: Signer attribution and date

How the FL-940 differs from an attorney engagement disclosure

Comparing facilitator disclosures to attorney engagement statements clarifies representation and confidentiality differences.

Criteria	Facilitator Disclosure	Attorney Engagement Disclosure
Legal Advice
Confidentiality	limited	attorney-client privileged
Fee Structure	typically free	fee-based
Representation

Typical eSignature vendor comparison for digital FL-940 workflows

A comparison of common vendor characteristics relevant when selecting an eSignature provider for processing FL-940 disclosures.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes (Business Premium)	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Representative scenarios where the FL-940 is used

Realistic use cases show how accurate disclosures reduce downstream issues in family law proceedings.

Intake at Self-Help Center

A parent seeks assistance with child support forms

facilitator documents scope as 'form preparation only'
the signed FL-940 records the limits and prevents client confusion at later hearings by showing the assistance was nonlegal.

Remote Assistance Session

A user completes intake online before a virtual appointment

facilitator confirms identity and explains nonrepresentation
the retained FL-940 plus audit trail documents consent and the services provided during the session.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient FL-940 completion

Small procedural changes improve clarity and reduce rework across many intakes.

Use standard templates

Standardized wording reduces variance and ensures required disclosures are present each time.

Confirm identity

Match the name on the form to ID to prevent mismatches in court records.

Retain audit logs

For electronic signatures, retain timestamps, IP addresses, and signer attribution to support verification.

Provide client copy

Always give a signed copy to the client to reduce later disputes.

Frequently asked questions about the FL-940

Answers to common questions about scope, signatures, retention, and verification when using the FL-940 Disclosure.

Need help? Contact support

Is the FL-940 legal advice?
No. The disclosure documents that the facilitator offers procedural help only and is not an attorney. It does not create an attorney-client relationship and should state limits clearly to avoid confusion.
Can the FL-940 be signed electronically?
Yes, electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied.
What if the signer’s name differs from ID?
Mismatched names should be resolved at intake. Record any alias or previous names and attach a copy of the ID to maintain reliable identification for the case file.
Who may sign the disclosure?
The individual receiving services signs. If a minor is involved or an authorized representative is acting, document the representative's authority and have the representative sign.
How long must the disclosure be kept?
Follow local court retention policy; federal guidance suggests minimums such as 3 years for IRS-related records and HIPAA's 6-year rule for health records when applicable.
What happens if the disclosure is unsigned?
Unsigned disclosures undermine proof of informed consent. If a client refuses to sign, document the refusal and the reasons, and follow local office procedures for proceeding or declining service.

Explore Templates

Performance Evaluation/Appraisal Form COBRA Letter Acknowledgment Receipt

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now