> [!info] Prepared locally > Revised text and original picture are ready. WordPress save, rendered checks and publication remain to be verified. A **summons** is a formal court-issued notice informing a [[Defendant|defendant]] or [[Respondent|respondent]] that a case has been filed and that a response may be required within the stated time. Failing to respond can lead to [[Default|default]] proceedings; it does not mean every requested order is automatically granted without further court action. ## In California Family Law In a divorce or legal-separation case, Summons (FL-110) accompanies the [[Petition|petition]]. The [California Courts response guide](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/fa/node/111) explains the response process. FL-110 states a 30-calendar-day response period after service of the summons and petition. The relevant papers and service circumstances should be checked rather than applying that deadline to every kind of summons or notice. The family-law summons also contains standard [[Temporary Restraining Order|temporary restraining orders]]. [[Cal. Fam. Code § 2040|Family Code section 2040]] addresses specified conduct involving children, property, insurance and nonprobate transfers, with important exceptions. [[Cal. Fam. Code § 233|Section 233]] addresses the orders' effect, duration and enforcement, including service or waiver considerations. These standard summons restraints are different from a domestic violence no-contact or stay-away order. A summons should be read together with the petition, its restraining provisions, and any additional orders actually issued. For the existing form preview and fillable PDF, see [Summons (FL-110)](https://atharkhan.com/forms/fl-110/). ## Example A respondent receives FL-110 and a divorce petition. The papers call for attention to both the response deadline and the standard restraints. Receiving them does not itself establish that the respondent has been ordered to stay away from the other party; any such separate order must be read for its actual terms. ![[Files/OtherFiles/Summons.jpg]]