Yes! You can use AI to fill out Civil Case Cover Sheet (Judicial Council of California Form CM-010)
The Civil Case Cover Sheet (CM-010) is a mandatory Judicial Council of California form that a plaintiff (or other party filing the first paper) must file with the initial document in most civil cases in Superior Court. It classifies the case by type (e.g., contract, tort, real property), indicates whether the matter is limited or unlimited, and captures whether the case should be treated as “complex” under California Rules of Court rule 3.400. The information helps the court route the case, apply the correct procedural tracks (including special rules for collections and complex cases), and compile statewide filing statistics. Failure to file it with the first paper may result in sanctions under the California Rules of Court.
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Form specifications
| Form name: | Civil Case Cover Sheet (Judicial Council of California Form CM-010) |
| Number of pages: | 3 |
| Filled form examples: | Form CM-010 Examples |
| Language: | English |
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How to Fill Out CM-010 Online for Free in 2026
Are you looking to fill out a CM-010 form online quickly and accurately? Instafill.ai offers the #1 AI-powered PDF filling software of 2026, allowing you to complete your CM-010 form in just 37 seconds or less.
Follow these steps to fill out your CM-010 form online using Instafill.ai:
- 1 Enter attorney/party information at the top (name, State Bar number if applicable, firm, address, phone, email) and identify who the attorney represents.
- 2 Fill in the court information (county, branch, addresses) and add the case name; leave court-only fields (case number, judge, department) blank unless already assigned.
- 3 Select the jurisdiction level by checking Limited or Unlimited based on the amount demanded, and indicate any applicable first-appearance designations (e.g., complex case designation/joinder/counter-designation if you are the defendant filing first appearance).
- 4 Complete Item 1 by checking the single case type box that best matches the primary cause of action (choose the most specific category available).
- 5 Complete Item 2 by marking whether the case is complex under rule 3.400; if yes, check the applicable complexity factors (a–f).
- 6 Complete Items 3–5: check remedies sought (monetary/nonmonetary/punitive), enter the number of causes of action, and indicate whether the case is a class action.
- 7 Review Item 6 regarding related cases (and prepare a Notice of Related Case, form CM-015, if needed), then date, type/print your name, sign, and file the cover sheet with your first paper (and serve it on all parties if it is designated as a complex case).
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Frequently Asked Questions About Form CM-010
CM-010 is a mandatory cover sheet that identifies the type of civil case being filed in California Superior Court. Courts primarily use it for case classification and statistical reporting, and it is also used to indicate collections and complex case designations.
The plaintiff (or other party filing the first paper in the case) must file CM-010 with the first document filed in the action (for example, the complaint). It is not used for small claims cases or cases filed under the Probate Code, Family Code, or Welfare and Institutions Code.
You must file it at the same time as your first paper filed in the civil action or proceeding. A cover sheet is generally filed only once—at the start of the case.
Failure to file the cover sheet with the first paper may subject a party, the attorney, or both to sanctions under California Rules of Court, rules 2.30 and 3.220. The court may also reject or delay processing depending on local procedures.
Check “Unlimited” if the amount demanded exceeds $35,000, and “Limited” if the amount demanded is $35,000 or less. This is based on the amount demanded in the complaint (not including certain items like interest/fees depending on the claim).
Check the one box that best describes the primary nature of your case. If your case fits both a general and a more specific category, select the more specific one, and if there are multiple causes of action, choose the box that best reflects the main claim.
A rule 3.740 collections case is an action to recover a certain amount of money not more than $35,000 (excluding interest and attorney’s fees) arising from a credit transaction. It does not include tort damages, punitive damages, recovery of real or personal property, or a prejudgment writ of attachment.
A complex designation indicates the case may require exceptional judicial management under rule 3.400. If you mark the case as complex, you must also check the applicable complexity factors in Item 2.
Yes. If the case is complex under rule 3.400 et seq., you must serve a copy of the Civil Case Cover Sheet on all other parties to the action or proceeding.
Yes. A defendant may file and serve, no later than the time of the first appearance, a joinder in the plaintiff’s complex designation, a counter-designation that the case is not complex, or (if the plaintiff made no designation) a designation that the case is complex.
Check all remedies you are requesting in the complaint: monetary damages, nonmonetary relief (declaratory or injunctive), and/or punitive damages. This should match what you are actually asking the court to award.
Enter the total number of separate causes of action (claims) you are alleging in your complaint or petition. Count each labeled cause of action (for example, breach of contract, negligence, fraud) as one.
Check “Yes” only if the case is being filed as a class action (seeking to represent a class of people, not just the named plaintiff). If you are suing only on your own behalf (or as an individual/business entity), check “No.”
Related cases are other court cases that involve the same parties, facts, or issues that could affect assignment or coordination. If you know of related cases, you must file and serve a Notice of Related Case, and the form suggests you may use CM-015.
No supporting documents are required for CM-010 itself; it is a cover sheet. However, you must file it along with your first paper (such as the complaint), and you must also comply with any additional local cover sheet requirements.
Compliance CM-010
Validation Checks by Instafill.ai
1
Ensures Item 1 Case Type selection is exactly one checkbox
Validates that the filer checked one—and only one—case type box in Item 1 (e.g., Auto (22), Breach of contract/warranty (06), etc.). This is required by the form instructions because the cover sheet is used for statistical and case-routing purposes. If none or multiple are selected, the submission should be rejected or flagged for correction because the case cannot be reliably categorized.
2
Validates Amount Demanded category (Unlimited vs Limited) is selected and mutually exclusive
Checks that exactly one of the two amount-demanded categories is selected: Unlimited (exceeds $35,000) or Limited ($35,000 or less). This selection affects court jurisdictional handling and downstream filing rules. If both or neither are selected, the system should block submission and require the filer to choose one.
3
Validates Rule 3.740 collections designation consistency with Limited amount demanded
If the filer selects a collections case type under rule 3.740 (e.g., 'Rule 3.740 collections (09)' or 'Other collections (09)'), the system should require the Limited amount-demanded category and disallow Unlimited. Rule 3.740 collections cases are defined as not more than $35,000 (exclusive of interest and attorney’s fees). If inconsistent, the submission should be flagged as logically invalid and require correction before acceptance.
4
Validates Complex Case (Item 2) Yes/No is answered and mutually exclusive
Ensures the filer answered Item 2 by selecting either Yes or No, but not both. Complex designation drives special case management and service requirements described on the form. If missing or conflicting, the system should prevent submission because the court cannot determine whether complex-case procedures apply.
5
Requires at least one complexity factor when Complex Case = Yes
When Item 2 is marked Yes, validates that at least one factor (a–f) requiring exceptional judicial management is checked. The factors provide the basis for the complex designation and support court review and assignment. If Complex is Yes but no factors are selected, the system should flag the filing as incomplete and require the filer to specify the supporting factor(s).
6
Prevents complexity factors from being selected when Complex Case = No
If Item 2 is marked No, validates that none of the complexity factor checkboxes (a–f) are selected. Selecting factors while denying complexity creates an internal contradiction and can misroute the case. If this occurs, the system should require the filer to either change the complex answer to Yes or clear the factor selections.
7
Validates Remedies Sought (Item 3) has at least one selection
Checks that at least one remedy type is selected in Item 3: monetary, nonmonetary (declaratory/injunctive), and/or punitive. Remedy information is used for statistical reporting and can affect case handling expectations. If none are selected, the system should treat the submission as incomplete and require a selection.
8
Validates punitive damages selection is consistent with collections case designation
If the filer designates the matter as a rule 3.740 collections case, the system should disallow selecting 'punitive' as a remedy because the form’s definition of collections cases excludes actions seeking punitive damages. This prevents misclassification that could improperly exempt the case from general case management rules. If punitive is selected with a collections designation, the system should flag the inconsistency and require correction (either remove punitive or change the case type).
9
Validates Number of Causes of Action (Item 4) is present and a positive integer
Ensures Item 4 is completed with a whole number (digits only) and is greater than zero. This field supports court statistics and helps indicate case complexity and scope. If blank, non-numeric, zero, or negative, the system should reject or require correction before filing is accepted.
10
Validates Class Action (Item 5) Yes/No is answered and mutually exclusive
Checks that the filer selected either Yes or No for Item 5, but not both. Class action status can affect case management, notices, and judicial assignment. If missing or conflicting, the system should block submission and prompt the filer to provide a single clear answer.
11
Validates Date field is completed and in an acceptable date format
Ensures the signature date is provided and matches an accepted format (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY) and represents a real calendar date. The date is important for filing records and accountability of the signer. If the date is missing, malformed, or impossible (e.g., 02/30/2026), the system should require correction.
12
Requires Type/Print Name and Signature to be present and non-placeholder
Validates that the '(TYPE OR PRINT NAME)' field is not blank and that a signature is provided (electronic signature indicator or captured signature, depending on system rules). These fields establish who is certifying the cover sheet information. If either is missing or contains obvious placeholders (e.g., 'N/A', 'TBD'), the submission should be rejected as unsigned/incomplete.
13
Validates Attorney/Party identity block completeness based on representation
Checks that the top 'ATTORNEY OR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY' section is sufficiently completed: name is required, and either attorney details (including State Bar Number) or self-represented party details are provided. This information is necessary for service, contact, and court records. If the filer indicates an attorney but omits the bar number or omits the name/contact fields, the system should flag the submission and require completion.
14
Validates State Bar Number format when provided
If a State Bar Number is entered, validates it is numeric and within a reasonable length for California bar numbers (commonly 4–6 digits), with no letters or special characters. Correct formatting supports attorney identification and reduces misattribution in court systems. If invalid, the system should prompt correction and prevent submission if the filer is acting as an attorney.
15
Validates contact fields formatting: phone, fax, email, and ZIP code
Checks that telephone and fax numbers (if provided) match acceptable North American formats (10 digits with optional punctuation), email addresses match standard email syntax, and ZIP codes are 5 digits or ZIP+4. These fields are used for communication and service coordination. If formatting fails, the system should flag the specific field and require correction (or allow omission only if the field is not required by the filing context).
16
Validates court and case identification fields are not blank (County, Case Name, Branch/Address fields as applicable)
Ensures key identifying fields are completed: Superior Court county, case name, and court location details (street/mailing address, city/ZIP, branch name) when required by the filing workflow. Accurate court identification prevents misfiling into the wrong venue or branch and supports clerk processing. If missing, the system should block submission or route to an exception queue for manual review depending on configuration.
Common Mistakes in Completing CM-010
People often skip the top caption fields (State Bar number, name, firm, address, phone, email, and “Attorney for”) because they focus on the case-type checkboxes. Missing or inconsistent contact information can cause the clerk to reject the filing, delay notices, or result in service/communication problems later. Avoid this by completing every applicable field at the top exactly as it appears on the complaint/petition and ensuring the “Attorney for (name)” matches the party you represent (or write “In Pro Per”/self-represented if applicable).
Filers sometimes enter the county or branch name from a prior case, or they list a mailing address that doesn’t match the filing courthouse. This can lead to misrouting within the court system, delays in processing, or confusion when the case is assigned. Avoid it by copying the court’s county and branch information from the court’s filing instructions for that specific courthouse and double-checking the street vs. mailing address fields.
A frequent error is checking “Unlimited” or “Limited” based on guesswork, or forgetting that the threshold is $35,000 (exclusive of certain items) and that the complaint’s demand controls. Selecting the wrong classification can trigger filing issues, incorrect fees, improper case management tracks, or later motions to reclassify. Avoid this by confirming the amount demanded in the complaint and checking the box that matches: Limited ($35,000 or less) vs. Unlimited (exceeds $35,000).
Item 1 requires checking one box for the case type that best describes the case, but people often check several boxes because multiple claims are pleaded. This can distort statistical reporting and may cause the case to be routed incorrectly for management or assignment. Avoid it by selecting the single most specific box that matches the primary cause of action (use the more specific category when both a general and specific option apply).
Filers often mark “Rule 3.740 collections” simply because money is owed, without confirming the strict definition (sum certain, not more than $35,000, credit transaction) and exclusions (e.g., tort damages, punitive damages, recovery of real/personal property, prejudgment attachment). Misclassification can place the case on the wrong procedural track, affecting service deadlines and case management requirements. Avoid this by verifying the claim fits Rule 3.740 exactly and selecting “Other collections” or another contract category when it does not.
People sometimes check “Yes” for complexity because the case feels complicated, or they check “No” even when it fits Rule 3.400, and they often forget to mark the specific complexity factors (a–f). An incorrect designation can lead to improper case assignment, additional hearings, or disputes requiring a counter-designation/joinder by the defendant. Avoid this by applying Rule 3.400 criteria carefully and, if “Yes,” checking all applicable factors that justify exceptional judicial management.
The form’s notice states that if the case is complex, a copy of the cover sheet must be served on all other parties, but filers often treat the cover sheet as “court-only.” Failure to serve can create service disputes, delay case management, or prompt court orders to cure the defect. Avoid this by including CM-010 in the service packet with the complaint whenever a complex designation is made and keeping proof of service consistent with what was served.
Filers frequently check only “monetary” even when the complaint seeks injunction/declaratory relief, or they forget to check “punitive” when punitive damages are requested. Inaccurate remedy selections can mislead case tracking and may create confusion about the nature of relief at early case management stages. Avoid this by cross-checking the prayer for relief and marking all that apply: monetary, nonmonetary (declaratory/injunctive), and punitive.
Item 4 is often left blank or filled with an estimate, especially when the complaint has multiple counts or statutory claims. A mismatch can cause administrative confusion and may prompt clerk questions or corrections, slowing filing acceptance. Avoid this by counting the separately labeled causes of action in the complaint/petition and entering the exact number.
Some filers check “Yes” because multiple plaintiffs are involved, or check “No” even though the complaint includes class allegations. An incorrect answer can affect case handling, notices, and early management expectations. Avoid this by answering strictly based on whether the pleading asserts a class action under applicable rules (class allegations and representative claims), not merely because there are many parties.
Because CM-010 is viewed as an administrative form, people sometimes forget to date it, type/print the name, or sign it. Missing execution details can lead to rejection by the clerk or a request to refile a corrected cover sheet, delaying the case opening. Avoid this by completing the signature block every time: date, typed/printed name, and signature of the party or attorney for the party.
Filers often overlook Item 6 and do not file a Notice of Related Case even when there are known related matters (same parties, same transaction, or overlapping issues). This can result in inconsistent rulings, missed opportunities for coordination, or later court orders requiring disclosure and reassignment. Avoid this by checking your records for any related cases and promptly filing and serving CM-015 when a related case is known.
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