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The family law case types; the Self-Help Center on the first floor of the Justice Center Courthouse helping with custody, support and protection paperwork by appointment or classes, walk-ins permitted during the Court Clerk Assistance Hours posted on the home page; private and stepparent adoptions investigated at the parties' expense; family support through the Department of Child Support Services; custody and visitation mediation - parents not yet before the Court may schedule their own mediation with one of the Court's trained custody mediators by calling 209-533-6565, no appointment for just one party, both parties must participate, where domestic violence is alleged the clerk's office told when the appointment is made and one party instructed to appear by telephone, all mediations on the first floor of the Courthouse; a custody or visitation issue already before the Court has its mediation session scheduled beforehand (Family Code section 3170(a): within 60 days after the petition is filed and before a decision on the merits); parties ordered to child custody mediation complete an orientation before the session (Family Code section 3170(b), CRC 5.210) - in person, signing up with the Court, on the first Wednesday of each month, 1pm – 4pm, in the Jury Assembly Room on the first floor, or online at https://pas.familieschange.ca.gov/ (registration required) with the Certificate of Attendance filed before the mediation session; a review hearing set after the mediation session; elder abuse cases filed in the civil division, 209-533-5555, no filing fee, the person asking for protection 65 years of age or older (as printed), forms online or in a packet from the civil clerk's office; Family Law Facilitator appointments at 209-533-6565; supervised parenting time on a proper showing by a non-professional or a paid professional supervisor the Court appoints, the Court working to establish a list of credentialed professional supervisors; the family law contact (209) 533-5555.
4.00.0 Family Law Rules: the local civil rules applying to family law proceedings except as otherwise provided, and counsel to meet and confer in good faith, with clients physically present or immediately available, before matters are heard on the family law calendar (4.01.0); a waiver of spousal support ordinarily not approved if the waiving party is receiving cash public assistance such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (4.02.0); the Court’s policy not to change the children’s living situation during custody and visitation disputes, the Court to deny a parent’s access or change a child’s principal residence only under extraordinary circumstances, and an application to change the living situation before a full hearing to include the current order, the child-sharing schedule, residence changes in the past 180 days, a proposed time-sharing program and facts establishing that the child would be physically or emotionally harmed if custody were not changed (4.03.0); mandatory mediation of contested custody and visitation matters, private and confidential, communications to the mediator official information under Evidence Code section 1040 unless otherwise stipulated, child abuse allegations reported under Penal Code section 11166, an agreement reduced to writing and submitted to the judge for signature, a request for a custody evaluation on failure of mediation, and sanctions for failure to participate in good faith (4.04.0); child custody evaluations under California Rules of Court, rule 5.220, by the agency or professional the Court designates or the parties stipulate to, no peremptory challenges to evaluators, complaints made to the judge who ordered the evaluation, and further hearings on a Request for Order (form FL-300) (4.04.1); both parties, where child custody or visitation is at issue and either party requests a hearing, to attend the Court’s pre-mediation workshop and Cooperative Parenting Workshop under Family Code section 3160 et seq. (4.05.0); a marital settlement agreement approved or incorporated by reference in a judgment only if the petition refers to it, the agreement or a signed and filed stipulation provides that it may be presented for approval, or the parties and attorneys endorse approval on the Judicial Council form of stipulation for judgment, and only if signed by both attorneys when both parties are represented or, when only one is, by that attorney, with the other party’s statement, declaration or affidavit that the party was advised to consult an attorney but declined (4.06.0); in a contested dissolution assigned a trial date, current income and expense and property declarations filed and served at least fifteen (15) calendar days before trial, and a trial brief of issues, contentions and proposed disposition at least five (5) calendar days before (4.07.0(a)); the brief stating, for each item of property in the order of the Property Declaration, the date of acquisition, the facts on which it is claimed to be community or separate, encumbrances, how title is vested, record title data and current market value, with funds held by others, tracing, current obligations, support, custody and visitation contentions, and any appraisal (4.07.0(b)); settlement conferences set at the discretion of the bench officer hearing the matter (4.07.1); duties the Court may designate to the family law facilitator, including those of Family Code section 10005 (4.08.0); Family Law Required Attachments revoked (4.09.0); with a petition to free a minor from parental custody and control, a proposed order appointing county Child Welfare Services to conduct the investigation required by Family Code section 7850 (4.10.0); no filing fee for re-issuance of a request for order that includes a temporary emergency court order, and, for one that does not, the same filing fee as the original request (4.11.0); telephone appearances under California Rules of Court, rule 5.9 (rule 5.324 governing local child support agency actions), requested on form FL-679 filed at least seven (7) court days before the hearing and served for delivery by the close of business on the next court day, the FL-679-INFO timelines not applying, and responses filed and served at least three (3) court days before, for which form MC-030 may be used (4.12.0); and every request for order that includes a request for temporary emergency (ex parte) orders to include a completed, dated and signed form FL-303, or it is not processed (4.13.0)
Starting July 1, 2025, parties may receive notices by email instead of regular mail in most Civil cases (Appeals, Family Law and Child Support, General Civil, Probate and Landlord-Tenant cases); for a party with an attorney, the court is mandated to send case documents to the email address the attorney identifies, with paper service until an email address is on file; a party without an attorney consents on Judicial Council form EFS-005 (Consent to Electronic Service and Notice of Electronic Service Address), gives notice of a changed address on form EFS-010 and withdraws consent on form EFS-006; the change affects how documents are received from the court, not how documents are filed.
Chapter 7, Part 2 (Child Support and the Kings County Department of Child Support Services): paternity, child support and spousal support enforcement cases where the Department of Child Support Services is involved heard by the designated Child Support Commissioner (Heading); the Title IV-D Child Support Commissioner acting as a temporary judge unless DCSS or a party objects before the hearing, failure to object deemed consent, and on an objection a recommended order that a judge ratifies within ten (10) court days unless a party objects or it is in error, in which case a temporary order and a de novo hearing within ten (10) court days (740); all hearings in cases where DCSS is involved under Family Code section 17400 conducted in a designated department by the Child Support Commissioner, DCSS treated as a party and tendered all notices required by law (741); custody and visitation issues not heard in Title IV-D proceedings, except orders approving the parties' stipulations (742); Title IV-D matters heard as they are ready, agreed matters first, the parties to meet and confer with the DCSS attorney or representative before entering the courtroom, and DCSS not representing any of the parties (743(A) to 743(D)); declarations filed and served under Code of Civil Procedure section 1005 assured of consideration, late papers considered in the court's discretion, a current Income and Expense Declaration on form FL-150, or form FL-155 when only child support is in issue, with pay stubs for the last ninety (90) days or, for the self-employed, the previous year's Federal Income Tax return and a profit and loss statement, and DCSS income records considered without further foundation (743(E) to 743(H)); and telephonic appearances under rule 5.324 on form FL-679 filed with the court clerk at least twelve (12) court days before the hearing and served on all parties and DCSS, or allowed on the court's own motion (744)
2026 Miscellaneous Order No. 5 (effective January 2, 2026): a case in which a judge within the Civil Division (Department 17 when hearing AB 1058 matters, Department 37, Department 40, Department 44, and the Temporary Remote Department) is disqualified reassigned for all purposes pursuant to Rule 3.734 of the California Rules of Court - a Department 44 case first to the Temporary Remote Department and a Temporary Remote Department case first to Department 44, then, if both judges are disqualified, to Department 37 or Department 40 based upon the terminal case number as generally assigned to such department; a Department 40 case first to Department 37 and a Department 37 case first to Department 40, then to Department 44 or the Temporary Remote Department based upon the terminal case number; a Department 17 case, while that judicial officer sits as a commissioner under AB1058, to Department 37 or Department 40 based upon the terminal case number; next to whichever department of the pair has a judge not disqualified, and when all are disqualified to the presiding judge or the assistant presiding judge (if not disqualified) for further reassignment, then to the most senior judge available who has not been disqualified.
The family law case types; filing fees and Family Court Services fees on the Schedule of Fees; filing questions to the Civil Division at (559) 416-5525; Local Procedures and Notes - ex-parte hearings heard in the assigned Department, Monday – Friday at 8:15 a.m., documents along with the 24-hour Notice or Non-notice Declaration submitted no later than 10:00 a.m. the previous workday prior to the court date; all documents to be filed two (2) days prior to the court date; the Record Search fee $5.00 per name, about 5 days; family law packets from the Main Courthouse; Family Code Section 4320 factors; Self-Help and Facilitator services on child support, spousal support and health insurance issues only; Family Support cases only heard at the Main Courthouse.
Division 5, Chapter 1: Judicial Council forms (5.1.1); Marvin cases (5.1.2); orders shortening time on an affidavit or declaration of urgent need, the papers filed not later than 4:00 the day before the hearing (5.1.4); requests for orders on spousal support, child support and attorney's fees supported by a complete income and expense declaration, served with two blank forms, the responding party's declaration filed three (3) court days prior to the hearing (5.1.5 to 5.1.7); fees waived (5.1.8); requests for orders set in the family law department to which the case is assigned, and trial setting on an at-issue memorandum (5.1.9 and 5.1.10); matters stricken on non-appearance, counsel's duty to inform the courtroom Clerk, and restoration to calendar (5.1.13 to 5.1.15); hearings, stipulations reduced to writing and the bifurcation of custody (5.1.17); a mandatory settlement conference for a trial estimate of five hours or more (5.1.18); appraisals (5.1.19); default hearings at 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday in Department 37, Department 44 and the Temporary Remote Department, Fridays at 9:30 in Department 40, with a proposed judgment (5.1.20); family law and motion matters at 8:30 a.m. (5.1.22); child support under Family Code § 4055 and Xspouse software for temporary spousal support (5.1.23 and 5.1.24); Family Court Services - child custody evaluation as visitation work, the parties' responsibility to contact Family Court Services for intake, a memorandum to the Court if a party has not contacted it ten (10) Court days before the hearing, no charge for the orientation and the initial appointment, a fee of $200.00 for failing to attend without notifying Family Court Services 48 hours in advance, $100.00 per parent for each subsequent session and for each child interview, investigations $600.00 per parent and limited scope investigations $200.00 per parent (5.1.25 to 5.1.27); a request for relief from the investigation charge filed not less than twenty (20) days before, the Court to grant or deny it within five (5) Court days, and fee waivers approved before the first appointment (5.1.28 and 5.1.29); private evaluators by stipulation, and no peremptory disqualification of court evaluators (5.1.30 and 5.1.31); interviews with minor children (5.1.32); Madera County a recommending county, the counselor's report confidential and considered as evidence (5.1.33); a subpoena for a Child Custody Recommending Counselor delivered with the $275.00 deposit not less than ten (10) court days before, at $55.00 per hour if expenses exceed the deposit (5.1.34); copies of Family Court Services reports (5.1.35); the MAD-CIV-010 Confidential Declaration on filing a petition (5.1.36); family-centered case resolution - a status conference within 120 days of the petition and every 180 days, dismissal or other orders for failure to comply, reinstatement within six (6) months, and the Notice of Family Law Case Status Conference served with the petition (5.1.37 and 5.1.38); Family Court Services appointments cancelled at least 48 hours prior, sanctions up to $1,500.00 (5.1.39); counts in criminal contempt actions (5.1.40); minor's counsel qualified under rule 5.242, who must file form FL-322 no later than 10 days after appointment and annually, and complaints about minor's counsel (5.1.41 and 5.1.42); and professional visitation providers' form FL324(P) (5.1.43)
Rules 920 to 938: custody evaluations under rule 5.220, the parties nominating three qualified professionals and the court choosing, and complaints about an evaluator in writing to the Supervising Family Law Judge, a response within seven (7) days (920); custody agreements and orders carrying the move notice language - notice to the other parent by mail, return receipt requested, to the extent feasible at least 45 days before a change of residence for more than thirty (30) days (921); a mandatory settlement conference before trial, a Settlement Conference Statement submitted and served at least ten days before, marked "Received" and not filed, listing community and separate property with values, support data with form FL-157, appraisals of real property and pensions, a furniture inventory, Kelly Blue Book vehicle values and community obligations (922); dismissals without prejudice under the delay reduction statutes (923); default mailing envelopes bearing the superior court clerk's return address (924); the advisement language for a marital settlement agreement where only one party has counsel (926); early disposition conferences on a date agreed and requested of the courtroom clerk (927); child support orders with form FL-192 and the child-care and health-care cost language, below-guideline stipulations reciting Family Code section 4065(a) with the guideline calculation, and Form FS01 attached to orders enforced by TCDCSS (928); family and juvenile court management of child abuse cases - reports under Penal Code section 11166, CWS investigation immediately or within 10 days, section 329 applications on Appendix 4 or form JV-212, family court custody proceedings suspended on a section 300 petition, review within 30 days under section 331, and counsel for the children under Family Code section 3150 (929); the Family Law Facilitator's services and offices in Room 203 of the Visalia courthouse and at the Self Help Resource Center of the South County Justice Center, (559) 737-5500 (930); the Domestic Violence Coordination Rules - a database search under Family Code section 6306 before a judge reviews a request, criminal protective orders having priority, coexisting orders specifying the safe exchange of the children, and a file-endorsed copy conveyed within 24 hours to the Tulare County Sheriff's Department for CLETS (931); minor's counsel appointed by rotation from the court's list (form FL-322), and complaints in writing filed, served and delivered to the courtroom clerk for the Presiding Family Law Judge, a response within 30 days (932); an elisor appointed by a Request for Order with a declaration listing the exact documents, copies filed with it, and "The Clerk of the Court or Clerk's Designee" designated as elisor (933); initial family law pleadings filed at the Visalia Courthouse or the South County Justice Center, Hague Convention petitions in the Visalia Division, and venue transferred by stipulation, Request for Order or the court's motion (934); supervised visitation providers' declarations (FL-324(P), FAM-013) and reports copied to the Director of Family Court Services (935); domestic violence restraining order petitions submitted electronically during and after normal business hours, the clerk's office at (559) 730-5000, option 4, responding within one business day (936); remote appearance by a party or witness at all hearings on a petition for a domestic violence restraining order under Family Code section 6308, remote appearances in other non-evidentiary family law hearings without a Notice of Remote Appearance (RA-010), and assistance at (559) 738-2330 (937); and evidentiary hearings - witness lists and exhibit lists, or exhibits uploaded and served through the Omnigo Digital Portal, filed and served at least 10 calendar days before, exhibits not filed with the Clerk's Office, recordings brought on a storage device with a device to play them, and certified transcriptions of sound recordings (938)
Chapter VI, Rules 6.1 to 6.9: Orders to Show Cause and Motions including Requests for Orders (Preamble); new cases assigned to a specific judicial officer for all purposes, the Notice of Case Assignment served with the case initiating documents, and reassignment (6.1); a declaration from parties who retain non-attorney third parties to prepare their pleadings (6.1.1); documents complying with California Rules of Court, rule 2.100, et. seq., and specifying the division and hearing date (6.1.2); hearing dates assigned by the Court at the submission of motions (6.1.3); a Qualified Domestic Relations Order approved by the plan (6.1.4); the consequences of a failure to comply (6.2); continuances - notice at the earliest opportunity and a written notice at least three (3) court days before the hearing, a trial continuance in writing, and calendar conflicts (6.3 to 6.3.3); remote appearances via CourtCall, LLC without advance notice except for an evidentiary hearing or trial, and remote civil proceedings in child support cases in Division A limited to digital audio appearances (6.3.5); ex parte matters noticed in the Family Law Division (6.4); proof of service filed before the matter is called (6.5); juvenile case file documents treated as confidential (6.6); stipulations and judgments (6.7); an initial Status Conference in approximately 180 days, the mandatory Family Centered Case Resolution Conference, and a Mandatory Settlement Conference 30-60 days before trial (6.8 to 6.8.3); and requests for the costs of appraisers, accountants and experts on a declaration of need and projected cost (6.9).
Chapter 5, Rules 5.1 to 5.4 (General Provisions, Moving and Responsive Pleadings and Other Non-Trial Hearings, Judgments, and Child Support): failure to comply with these Family Law Rules may result in an order based solely on the pleadings, continuing the matter, attorney's fees and costs against the non-complying party, or removing the matter from calendar (5.1.1); remote appearances by Zoom, CourtCall, or Direct Telephonic appearance as ordered by the Court, requests submitted as set forth in Rule 1.1.19 except telephonic appearances for Case Management Conferences, CourtCall at (888) 882-6878 (5.1.3); the moving party first contacting the opposing attorney to obtain a mutually agreeable hearing date (5.2.1); an absolute duty to disclose that a requested ex parte order will change the status quo, the exigent circumstances in the first paragraph of the declaration, and for custody/visitation a completed UCCJEA declaration, the practices of the last twelve (12) months and the current custody order attached (5.2.2); a request for an order shortening time to follow the procedure in Rule 5.2.2 (5.2.3); all moving and responsive pleadings filed and served, the DCSS served if public assistance is being paid, and a late responsive pleading delivered to the Judicial Officer's Clerk no later than 2:00 p.m. on the date before the hearing (5.2.4); the parties to confer before the hearing to resolve or limit the issues (5.2.5); the moving party to contact the Judicial Assistant of the Department to take a hearing off calendar or to continue it, continuances strongly disfavored, and continuances of contempt hearings in open court or by written stipulation signed by the citee (5.2.6 to 5.2.7); law and motion calendars limited to matters of no more than fifteen (15) minutes per side (5.2.9); notification to the bailiff by 12 noon on the day before the hearing that a prisoner in a Fresno County Detention Facility is a party (5.2.10); the moving party to prepare the Order After Hearing and mail it to the responding party for approval within ten (10) calendar days, a second letter if no response, and service on DCSS and/or FCS within fifteen (15) days after filing (5.2.13); stipulations signed by each of the parties and their respective attorneys (5.2.14); written complaints about minor's counsel to the Presiding Judge of the Family Court (5.2.15); every judgment with the case name, case number, and page number, judgments involving children cleared by DCSS, the Notice of Entry of Judgment with two (2) large stamped addressed envelopes, default judgments with forms FL-165 and FL-170 and a supplemental declaration, the defaulted party's signature on a Marital Settlement Agreement notarized, bifurcated status only judgments, and Uniform Parentage Act judgments (5.3 to 5.3.8); a signed Family Code § 4065 Waiver with any stipulation that deviates from the statewide uniform guideline (5.4.1); a current (less than three (3) months old) Income and Expense Declaration form FL-150 with the two (2) most recent months of pay stubs, or form FL-155 if only child support is at issue (5.4.2); and copies of orders mailed to DCSS within ten (10) days, and moving papers to determine arrears that specify the nature and amount of the dispute with DCSS (5.4.3 to 5.4.5).
The court's local form SIE-0025 (Rev. 05/16/2018), Status and Case Resolution Conference Questionnaire, for Dissolution, Nullity, Parentage, Legal Separation and other family law cases: the issues on which the parties disagree or need orders, the discovery still to be done, the Declarations of Disclosure served (Dissolution, Legal Separation and Nullity cases only), settlement, agreements and a Mandatory Settlement Conference, a Case Resolution Conference requested for a complex matter, trial setting and the trial's estimate, and the Department of Child Support Services' involvement; and its instructions - the questionnaire completed by the party or the attorney, help for a self-represented party at the Family Law Facilitator's Office in the Sierra County Courthouse, the Clerk's office unable to provide legal advice; a copy served by mail and the original filed with the Court no later than 10 calendar days before the Status or Case Resolution Conference, the service by mail made by someone over the age of 18 who is not a party, who completes the Proof of Service by Mail (the party cannot serve the form); a self-represented party to appear in person or by CourtCall at the conference, with information from the Self-Help Center on the day of the conference; and a represented party's attorney able to appear in person or by CourtCall.
Chapter 13 (Rules 13.01 to 13.10): pleadings on the appropriate Judicial Council form where mandated, and documents other than the initial petition and orders to show cause accompanied by a proof of service under Code of Civil Procedure §1013(a) (13.01); the law & motion calendar for Family Law cases held weekly, at 10:00 a.m. each Monday, hearings limited to fifteen minutes, a matter set on the next available trial or long-cause calendar on a sufficient offer of proof or a request for live testimony filed at least twenty-four hours before the hearing (13.02(A)); a “Declaration Re Ex Parte Notice” with Family Code ex parte applications, and orders issued ex parte only on a declaration adequate under Family Code Section 6300 and Code of Civil Procedure Section 527 (13.02(B)); moving and responsive papers served under Code of Civil Procedure §1005 (including on the designated child support agency) and responses served and filed under §1005(b), and alternative relief that a responding party may request in the responsive pleadings (Family Code §213) (13.02(C) to 13.02(D)); counsel and the parties to meet and confer in good faith and exchange documentary evidence prior to any hearing, all stipulations in writing (13.02(E)); a continuance of the initial date for any hearing granted by the Clerk by telephone when the moving party represents that service has been made and the parties agree, the request made before 4:00 PM at least two (2) court days before the hearing, and the requesting party to send a confirming letter (13.02(F)); a moving party's matter dropped to the bottom of the calendar or ordered off calendar on non-appearance, and attorneys to bring their calendars to each hearing (13.02(G)); declarations received in evidence, offers of proof at the Court's discretion and live witnesses under Rule 3.1306 (13.02(H)); orders after hearing prepared under Local Rule 3.07 and sent to the opposing party, the Court Mediator and the support agency where involved, support stipulations on Judicial Council forms (13.02(I)); informal discovery encouraged (13.03); a current Income and Expense Declaration whenever a financial matter is at issue (a new one if filed more than sixty (60) days before the hearing), with W-2's or 1099 forms, the last two (2) pay stubs and, if self-employed, a profit and loss statement, and tax returns filed only with a separate declaration marked “CONFIDENTIAL TAX RETURN” (13.04); court-ordered mediation required prior to a contested hearing on custody or visitation, separate sessions on request where there is a history of domestic violence or a protective order, attorneys not to attend the mediation sessions, children not brought to mediation sessions, the Court Mediator not to provide interpreters, no ex parte application on custody or visitation without first notifying the Mediator, no peremptory challenges of the Mediator, and Family Code §3111 evaluations paid before they begin (13.05); orders resolving custody and visitation obtained before other issues are set for trial, signed custody agreements filed not less than three (3) court days before the hearing, a statement of issues filed at least twenty (20) days prior to trial or ten (10) days prior to the settlement conference, the parties to exchange copies of exhibits at least five (5) days prior to trial, and a motion for an alternate valuation date not less than thirty (30) calendar days before trial (13.06); default judgments on a request to enter default with the original summons and proof of service, the moving party to state on the declaration for default the date of separation, the custodial arrangement and the child support sought, attorney's fees greater than $750.00 supported by a declaration, marital status to terminate no less than six (6) months and one (1) day from the date the Court acquired jurisdiction over the respondent, and the form “Notice of Entry of Judgment” with two envelopes (13.07); no property settlement agreement approved unless all of the following requirements are satisfied, proofs of service of the disclosure declarations required by Family Code §2105 filed among them (13.08); the Clerk to submit requests for default or uncontested judgments to the judicial officer, and status-only judgments on an ex parte application for bifurcation (13.09); and the Family Law Facilitator appointed under Family Code §10000, et seq., its services at no cost (13.10).
Chapter 12 (Rule 12.1): the duties of the family law facilitator in addition to those of the Family Law Facilitator Act - meeting with litigants to mediate issues of child support, spousal support and maintenance of health insurance (actions in which one or both parties are unrepresented by counsel to have priority), drafting stipulations, at the court's request to review the paperwork, examine documents, prepare support schedules and advise the judge whether the matter is ready to proceed, assisting the clerk in maintaining records, preparing formal orders in cases where both parties are unrepresented, and serving as a special master unless the facilitator has served as a mediator in the case (12.1(A)); and, if staff and other resources are available, assisting the court with research and developing programs for bar and community outreach (12.1(B)).
Rule 4 (subdivisions A to C): motions, orders to show cause, and requests for order with a prayer for the establishment or modification of child support or family support in which the Department of Child Support Services is a party heard in Department 7, the clerk accepting the filing to designate a hearing date and time in the Family Court Commissioner’s department (4(A)); litigants ordered to the Family Law Facilitator (Family Code sections 10004 and 10005) for assistance with their rights and obligations regarding support, support schedules and issues of child support, spousal support and health insurance, the Facilitator to prepare and submit a written recommendation when the discussion does not result in agreement (4(B)); and support payments, where the Department of Child Support Services is a party, made through the California State Disbursement Unit at P.O. Box 989067, West Sacramento, California 95798, except where good cause is shown (4(C)).
Chapter 4 (Rules 17 to 19): family law and motion - continuances once by the clerk, on a stipulation and order filed or the moving party's request with notice, at least five (5) court days before the hearing, and withdrawals noticed to the clerk's office and the opposing party no later than two (2) court days before (17.1); bench trial continuances (17.2); court-ordered child custody evaluations implementing Rule 5.220 - one peremptory challenge to an appointed evaluator, written objections filed and served within five (5) court days of the notice of assignment, an evaluator's request to withdraw and objections to it, and no ex parte communication with the evaluator (17.3); complaints about the counseling process, a counselor, an evaluator or minor's counsel made in writing to the Court Executive Office (17.4); child custody recommending counseling (CCRC) - a mandatory process governed by Family Code section 3160 et seq. and California Rules of Court, Rule 5.210 and 5.215, the CCRC protocol listed on the court's website under Family, a recommending court whose counselor prepares a written recommendation under Family Code section 3183, counselors subpoenaed and paid as experts by the party, attorney input letters not favored, and stipulated private child custody recommending counseling (18.1); temporary support guidelines - 40% of the net income of the payor minus 50% of the net income of the payee (the Santa Clara rule), the Alameda rule in child support cases involving spousal support, and child support under Division 9, Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the Family Code (18.2); mandatory settlement conferences in the Family Law Settlement Program - a settlement conference statement and current income and expense and property declarations prepared, served and filed at least five (5) court days before, sanctions under Rule 1.4, and the written terms of any settlement (19.1); and a written proposal for the resolution of all contested issues served at least five (5) court days before trial, with financial declarations valid within the preceding 90 days (19.2).
The online form's disclaimer - parties in a family law matter with a full agreement, settlement or stipulated continuance may advise the court before the hearing, and with a telephonic appearance may ask that the matter be called before contested matters; the court will not read the pleadings; the form applies only to matters set in Department 41 and Department 1, to Trial Assignment (TA) matters set in Department 32 when the parties agree to trial or evidentiary hearing dates posted on the home page of the Court's website, and to concurrently set Mandatory Settlement Conference and Trial Confirming Conference (MSC/TCC) dates on the same terms; not without a full agreement, and not for DCSS child support matters set in Department 40; only when the hearing is less than two days away (otherwise the Continuance/Drop Procedure), completed before 7:30 a.m. the day of the hearing.
Remote appearances in family law and child support hearings under Local Rule 10.24, Code of Civil Procedure section 367.75 and California Rules of Court rule 3.672, by category - evidentiary hearings on simplified notice (requests for order and their continued hearings, child support (DCSS) hearings: scheduling online is notice to the court, other parties noticed no later than 5 court days before the hearing, an opposition on RA-015 by noon the court day before) and on written notice (contempt, default judgments, domestic violence and gun violence restraining orders, evidentiary hearings, termination of parental rights, trials: RA-010 with Local Form PL-CW010A, 10 court days before a hearing set in more than 15 court days, and shorter deadlines otherwise); non-evidentiary hearings on simplified notice (family centered case resolution conferences, trial assignment, emergency request and order shortening time hearings: other parties noticed no later than 1 court day before the hearing) and on written notice (fee waiver hearings, settlement and trial confirming conferences, UCCJEA hearings: 2 court days before the hearing); self-scheduling no later than 15 hours in advance of the start of the appearance, for hearings on calendar within the next 30 days, with a late request fee of $15 (four exceptions); the e-filing document names; links not provided the same day; the remote appearance fee - $13 in the page's notice effective July 1st, 2025, and $27.50 ($25 remote appearance fee plus $2.50 credit card transaction fee) in its fee section - by eCheck, Visa or Mastercard, waived with a fee waiver.
A table of family law items pending (estimates updated each business Friday); Departments 4A, 4B and 5A - court at 8:15 AM; remote hearings - law and motion and ex parte matters under Local Rule 7-116 and other hearings with approval under Local Rule 7-115 (both carded) by the telephone bridge (209) 992-5590 with each department's bridge and PIN; fees and fee waivers; the Pro Per Clinic; mediation and child custody recommending counseling at no cost and the mandatory mediation orientation (a video watched before the court appearance); custody and visitation heard in Department 4A, support in Department 5A or by the Department of Child Support Services; proof of employment, income and expenses for support matters in 5A; interpreters "only in limited cases" (a review task: the Interpreter Information page says interpreters are available in all case types); children at court, attire and punctuality; accommodation requests on form MC-410; domestic violence and elder abuse restraining orders - typed or hand-printed in blue or black ink, no lined or colored paper for declarations, declarations and exhibits limited to 10 pages each without prior permission, papers submitted correctly by 10:00 AM ready at 3:30 PM the same day, addresses kept confidential on request; the Findings and Order After Hearing procedure - prepared by court staff only when the judge orders it, otherwise by the prevailing party (the minute order purchased no sooner than two days after the hearing, blue or black ink, returned to the Clerk's Office, return postage, orders kept 30 days then shredded, service and the proof of service); the Advisement of Rights (Family Code section 4251(b) and (c)) read before Department 5A; Local Rule 7-103 (carded): meeting and conferring before mediation, parenting plans described in the pleadings; family law records; and its answers - the three departments and the daily public calendar, Requests for Order filed at Suite 413, dates assigned by the clerk on filing, Requests for Order with temporary orders reviewed by a judicial officer first, custody and financial issues set on the same day (the 8:15 AM mediation calendar in 4A), transcripts from the reporter.
Chapter 11 (Rules 11.1 to 11.8): the family law and motion calendar for non-Title IV-D actions; meeting and conferring in good faith before a family law matter is heard, documents exchanged and compliance represented to the Court; notice of matters going off calendar; proposed findings and statements of decision submitted in writing and by electronic mail in Microsoft Word format; and every blank on Judicial Council forms answered or marked n/a (11.1); financial issues - a current Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150) or Financial Statement (Simplified) (form FL-155) executed within sixty (60) calendar days of the hearing (rule 5.118 of the CRC), documents exchanged five (5) court days before the hearing (wage verification for three (3) months and tax returns, and for the self-employed the 1099 forms, a profit and loss statement and a balance sheet), disclosure of public assistance, certified computer support calculations, and default child support through the Del Norte County Department of Child Support Services (11.2); the Children of Divided Families Workshop - required of all parties where custody or visitation of minor children is disputed, before mediation or other Family Court Services, the instructions served with the pleadings and proof of service filed, the fee, failure to attend, a separate session where there is domestic violence or child abuse, attendance out of county, the certificate of attendance, and the program in English only (11.3); Family Court Services mediation - non-recommending mediators, and challenges to a mediator made to the Court Executive Officer (11.4); court investigators and evaluators - appointment, no peremptory challenges, withdrawal, no ex parte contact, interviews of children, the report under Family Code section 3111, grievances by noticed motion or objection, fees and costs, cross-examination and the list of qualified evaluators (11.5); the Child Support Commissioner (Family Code section 4251) (11.6); the services of the Family Law Facilitator (11.7); and the court communication protocol for domestic violence and child custody orders - disclosure of existing orders, safe exchanges, orders that do not conflict with criminal protective orders, and their modification by the Criminal Court (11.8).
Chapter 5 (Rules 5.1 to 5.10): family law proceedings under the Civil Law and Motion Rules (5.1); child, spousal and partner support - the child support case registry form, computer support printouts, a current Income and Expense Declaration or Financial Statement (Simplified), the last 3 state and federal income tax returns, the Santa Clara guideline formula for temporary support (40% of the payor's net income minus 50% of the payee's), and meeting and conferring before any matter on the family law calendar is heard (5.2); the Family Law Facilitator (5.3); mandatory, confidential child custody mediation without recommendations, a parent orientation workshop before mediation, and no attorneys in mediation sessions (5.4); evaluations under Family Code § 3110, the evaluator notified at least 20 days and subpoenaed at least five days before the hearing (5.5); mediator selection - no peremptory challenge, a challenge for cause within five days - and complaints (5.6); private mediation of other family issues (5.7); the Family Centered Case Review Program - case review conferences, the Family Law Status Report (LK-100), the time standards (approximately 60 and 180 days; filings fifteen (15) days before the mandatory settlement conference: LK-101, FL-150 or FL-155, FL-160 and LK-102), sanctions, reinstatement within 6 months and reconciliation (5.8); requests for emergency family law orders on FL-300 and FL-305 - the separate declaration regarding notice (Local Form LK-150 may be used), waiver of notice, requests deemed submitted at 10:00 a.m., notice and service, the contents of a request, opposition by 10:00 a.m. on the day of submission, set-aside requests and orders shortening time (5.9); and counsel appointed for a child under Family Code section 3150, the costs shared equally, and written complaints, with notice to the complainant within 90 days that appropriate action has been taken (5.10).
Chapter 4 (Rules 4.1 to 4.15): the scope of family law matters (4.1); family law case management under rule 5.83 - local form MFL-250 with new filings, the initial case management conference and order to show cause, conferences within 180 days, and local form MFL-251 status reports filed at least five (5) business days before (4.2); requests for orders on form FL-300 - the law and motion calendar limited to 30 minutes, meeting and conferring at least five (5) business days before the hearing, form FL-306 for an unserved request, form FL-150 income and expense declarations for the prior three (3) months, tax returns, guideline support and deviations, attorney fee declarations over $2,000, expert fees, modifications, three (3) stipulated continuances, and personal or remote appearance (4.3); ex parte and emergency family law orders under local rule 1.15, disfavored without a strong showing of potential harm, their declarations, and notice on local form MMC-121 or form FL-303 (4.4); supervised visitation and supervisors' reports (4.5); child custody and visitation - mandatory, confidential and non-recommending mediation with local form MFL-230, the mediator's reports, Spanish mediation by appointment, the co-parenting workshop and its list of approved classes from the mediator, counsel for the child under Family Code § 3151, and a child's participation in custody proceedings (at least 14 years of age, or under 14, and rule 5.250) (4.6); default or uncontested judgments on forms FL-170, FL-150, FL-165 or FL-130, FL-180 and FL-190, with form FL-115 (4.7); bifurcation (4.8); family law trials - local form MFL-143, settlement conferences under rule 3.1380, and continuances (4.9); settlement conference statements lodged and served at least five (5) calendar days before the conference (4.10); child support matters - form FL-150 with a motion to modify and meeting and conferring with the Department of Child Support Services (4.11); electronic service on forms EFS-005-CV, EFS-007 and EFS-006 (4.12); and the complaint and disqualification procedures for the Family Law Facilitator and the family law mediator on local form MFL-270 (4.13 to 4.15).
Meet and Confer Orders adopted for mandatory use (Appendix 8.5, Eff. 01/01/2018): the parties and/or attorneys ordered to peaceably contact each other immediately upon service and make at least one peaceable attempt to settle the issues before the hearing, with good faith, reasonable proposals in writing, by fax or e-mail, by telephone or in person; where child support or temporary spousal support is at issue, each party's printout of a DissoMaster™ or California Guideline Support calculator calculation before the hearing; immediate notice to the assigned judicial department if both parties agree the hearing is not necessary; on the date of the hearing, a second meet and confer and the exchange of all relevant documents, the court free to decline any document not exchanged; sanctions or other remedies for failure to meet and confer in good faith; and, where restraining orders are in effect, the orders not applying to the parties themselves, though each party's attorney must still meet and confer (California Family Code section 271; Rule 8.5).
The scope - all family law matters (7.1); calendar assignments - dissolution and custody matters with at least one party represented by counsel calendared in the master family law department, the dates, times, departments and judicial assignments on the Court's website (7.2); proof of service filed no later than two (2) calendar days before the hearing (7.3); family law case management - the Notice of Family Law Case Management, mandatory case management conferences and the Family Law Case Management Conference Report filed and served at least five (5) calendar days before the conference (7.4); ex parte matters filed by 10:00 a.m., the Family Law Ex Parte Status Information page posted by 3:00 p.m. (7.5); the Master Family Law Calendar, heard on the first judicial day of each week - setting trials, matters taken off calendar and three (3) continuances by agreement upon payment of the continuance fee (7.6); hearings (7.7); settlement conferences, mandatory for long-cause matters (7.8); trial exhibits (7.9); child custody and visitation - mandatory orientation and mediation, the online orientation class scheduled by Family Court Services, non-recommending confidential mediation, subsequent mediation within one (1) year, complaints regarding mediators and appointed counsel for the child, and court-ordered child custody evaluations, with one peremptory challenge within five (5) court days (7.10); requirements in financial matters (7.11); the family law facilitator (7.12); the appointment of an elisor (7.13); the default procedure for NCDCSS standard enforcement orders (7.14); and automatic application and enrollment for Title IV-D services for new child support orders, and opt-out (7.15).
The procedures for filing court documents (e-filing mandatory for parties represented by attorneys; in person, the original and at least two copies in Room 113 of the Marin Civic Center between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., closed from noon to 1:00 p.m., new cases before 3:30 p.m.; documents needing a judge's signature with a self-addressed stamped envelope); ex parte appearances - the papers and fee delivered by e-filing or, self-represented, in Room 113 no later than 10:00 a.m. one court day before the hearing (probate: two court days), opposition by 3:30 p.m. the court day before, notice to the other parties by 10:00 a.m. one court business day before, DCSS ex partes at the start of the DCSS calendar, and the ex parte calendars (civil Monday to Friday in Courtrooms A, H and L, family law in Courtrooms B, E and G, probate Thursday in Courtroom C, each at 9:00 a.m.); civil research requests ($15 a case).
The weekly calendars of the family law departments at the Hall of Justice - Departments 10, 14, 17 and 18 and Department 20 (a commissioner) - each day's ex parte hearings, law and motion, domestic violence calendars, status conferences, trials, settlement conferences, fee waiver hearings and adoptions (Department 10 also petitions to terminate parental rights), and Department 20's DCSS calendars, DCSS long cause hearings and its domestic violence (no children) and elder abuse calendars.
A standing order of Garry T. Ichikawa, Supervising Judge, Family Law Division, printed in the appendix to Local Rule 5: effective August 1, 2015, the Solano County Department of Child Support Services standard orders are incorporated by reference as orders of the court in all judgments and orders in proceedings where the Department of Child Support Services is a party or a substitute payee and the inclusion of such orders was requested in a petition, supplemental complaint or Request for Order; petitions, supplemental complaints and Request for Order forms, and all orders and judgments, filed on or after August 1, 2015 include the website where the standing orders may be accessed; and the Department of Child Support Services posts the order and the standard orders on its website.
Each family law department's weekly calendar - the judicial officer, courtroom, courthouse and judicial assistant, and the days and times of its trials and settlement conferences, ex partes (10:00, all reviewed in chambers with no hearing), DOM, law and motion, case management, master calendar, DCSS child support, contempt and citation calendars, Courtroom 41's DCSS in-custody calendar and Department 22's 8:30 ex parte TRO review in chambers - and the Zoom information for remote appearances (appearing in person encouraged; Zoom by meeting ID and password, or by telephone); the page Local Rule 1.9 points to.
Each case randomly assigned to a department on filing; the first RFO, OSC or motion set by the Family Law Clerk's Office on the department's OSC calendar, later hearings through trial set by the department; the DVPA/TRO calendar (remote or in person; the moving party's proposed order; the admonishments); the departments and the DCSS, DVPA, backup DVPA and firearm relinquishment calendars' Zoom credentials.
Zoom credentials; sign-in 15 minutes before, full names, counsel renamed for their party, video; recording prohibited (rule 1.150); interpreter requests two days before for the listed languages and seven for others; the protocols for family law status conferences and mandatory settlement conferences (remote mandatory), RFOs, DVPA/TRO hearings (the admonition), the DCSS and firearm relinquishment calendars and family law informal discovery conferences (remote mandatory).
Division V (Rules 5.1 to 5.17): applicability (Rule 5.1); court locations - family law proceedings filed and heard at the Southern Division in Redwood City unless otherwise ordered under Local Rule 6.9 (Rule 5.2); matters heard in the Family Law Department (Rule 5.3); case flow management under a Direct Calendar (Rule 5.4); informal discovery conferences (Rule 5.4.1); alternative dispute resolution (Rule 5.5); ex parte orders (Rule 5.6; California Rules of Court, Rules 5.151); requests for orders, orders to show cause and notices of motion (Rule 5.7); trial setting, status conference and mandatory settlement conference rules (Rule 5.8); judgment by default or uncontested hearing (Rule 5.9); the preparation of orders after hearing and judgments (Rule 5.10); declarations of disclosure and financial information (Rule 5.11); the Department of Child Support Services (Rule 5.12); Family Court Services and the mediation required whenever custody or visitation are in dispute (Rule 5.13); the appointment of counsel for a child and the complaint procedure for court appointed counsel (Rules 5.14 and 5.14.1); the family law facilitator (Rule 5.15; Family Code Section 10000); the coordination of court proceedings and sharing of case information involving minors with the juvenile court (Rules 5.16 to 5.16.6); and court ordered supervised visitation (Rule 5.17); with Appendix 1, the Mandatory Settlement Conference Statement format, and Appendix 2, the Long Cause Trial Rules Checklist. Rules 5.6.1 and 5.7.1, the first Rule 5.9 (Long Cause Trials) and the first Rule 5.10 (Family Support Division Matters, renumbered as Rule 5.12) are repealed or renumbered.
Remote appearances by telephone or video authorized generally in Title IV-D child support proceedings in Department 414 under Local Rule 11.7 without a Notice of Remote Appearance, with the option to appear in person; the exceptions (contested long cause matters or trials, contempt hearings, orders of examination, subpoenaed appearances) requiring the procedures of CRC, Rule 3.672 and form RA-010; opposition on form RA-015; notice of the court's decision; and failure to appear on time may result in the matter proceeding by default.
Rule 11 (Rules 11.0 to 11.16): general rules (Rule 11.0); the Unified Family Court and the matters assigned to the Family Law Division (Rules 11.1 and 11.2); assignment of matters - even numbered cases to Department 403, odd to Department 404, and all matters involving the Department of Child Support Services to Department 414 (Rule 11.3); commissioners and judges pro tempore and forms (Rules 11.4 and 11.5); child custody and visitation - trial setting, minor's counsel, child custody evaluations, parenting coordinators and supervised visitation providers (Rule 11.6); the law and motion and Readiness Calendars - support calculations filed 5 court days before, tentative rulings from 2:00 p.m. the court day before, oral argument by 4:00 p.m., remote appearances and continuances (Rule 11.7); ex parte orders, stipulations, meet and confer, discovery, substitutions and writs of execution (Rule 11.8); the Domestic Violence Calendar - temporary restraining orders (submitted before 10:00 a.m., available after 2:30 p.m.), service, mandatory mediation when there are children in common, and orders after hearing (Rule 11.9); status conferences and trial setting (Rule 11.10); mandatory settlement conferences (statements lodged no later than 10 calendar days before) and judicial settlement conferences (Rules 11.11 and 11.12); trial rules (Rule 11.13); the default and uncontested calendar (Rule 11.14); Family Court Services (Rule 11.15); and alternative dispute resolution (Rule 11.16).
Family law filing options - completed paperwork, two-holed punched and stapled; filings limited to three (3) per counter visit; restraining order filings by email; the filings for the drop box; eDelivery Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; an original and two copies in Room 210; court dates - Request for Order hearings on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. in Courtrooms 31, 32, 33, and 35, Department of Child Support Services hearings on Tuesday and Thursday and domestic violence, workplace, gun and postsecondary school violence hearings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Courtroom 34, elder abuse hearings on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 32; service of a Request for Order 16 court days before the hearing; family law appeals; the Minor's Counsel Panel; and Family Court Services.
Chapter 11 (Rules 11.1 to 11.17): the family law and motion calendar and the meet and confer requirement (Rule 11.1); financial issues - a current Income and Expense Declaration and documents exchanged five (5) court days before the hearing (Rule 11.2); hearing dates, preliminary disclosures on FL-141, the calendar call and special sets over 30 minutes (Rule 11.3); motions and orders to show cause, tentative rulings and remote appearances (Rule 11.4); orders after hearing (Rule 11.5); child and spousal support (Rule 11.6); restraining orders on the CLETS form (Rule 11.8); child custody and visitation (Rule 11.9); court-appointed investigators and evaluators, the report generally due within sixty (60) court days (Rule 11.10); mediation of custody and visitation through Family Court Services (Rule 11.11); the family law facilitator (Rule 11.12); the child support commissioner (Rule 11.13); the co-parenting course, the Judicial Council's online “Parenting After Separation” (Rule 11.14); the communication protocol for domestic violence and custody orders (Rule 11.15); supervised visitation providers' FL-324(P) and FL-324(NP) declarations (Rule 11.16); and family law settlement conferences (Rule 11.17).
Chapter 10 (Family Law Department; Rules 10.1 to 10.13): law and motion - calendars at the time and place set by the Court, meet and confer, one stipulated continuance, matters assigned to commissioners, tentative rulings, responsive and reply declarations at least nine (9) and five (5) court days before the hearing on a Request for Order without temporary orders (five (5) and two (2) court days with them), special settings for matters over ten (10) minutes, declarations, attorney and expert witness fees, remote appearances under Local Rule 1.8, and electronically stored evidence (Rule 10.1); settlement conferences (Rule 10.2); child and spousal support (Rule 10.3); the family law facilitator and Self Help Center (Rule 10.4); parent orientation before the first Family Court Services Mediation or Child Custody Recommending Counseling session (Rule 10.5); mediation of child custody and visitation disputes, with a ten (10) day rescission period for agreements (Rule 10.6); the court-ordered Fact-Based Inquiry, each party's questionnaire completed within seven (7) days (Rule 10.7); psychological and custody evaluations (Rule 10.8); professional and non-professional visit supervision (Rule 10.9); the Department of Child Support Services (Rule 10.10); family centered case resolution (Rule 10.11); emancipation of minors (Rule 10.12); and duplicate filing, confidential documents filed separately with a cover sheet (Local Form CI-153), pleadings for an adverse party, sanctions, dismissal on the court's own motion, the communication protocol for domestic violence and custody orders, complaints about Family Court Services professionals, limited scope representation and non-CLETS orders (Rule 10.13).
Article VII (Family Law Rules; Rules 7.1 to 7.12): an Income and Expense Declaration and a Property Declaration before every default and contested hearing on a financial issue, with schedules, and the exchange at least five (5) days before the hearing of wage stubs for the preceding three (3) months and the latest federal income tax return (Rule 7.1); the State of California's Guideline Calculator in Title IV-D cases and certified programs for temporary spousal support (Rule 7.2); child custody (Rule 7.3); Court Mediation of unresolved custody and visitation issues, after the Pre-Mediation Orientation Program and domestic violence assessment scheduled through the Family Law Facilitator, with the domestic violence protocol, confidential and non-confidential mediation under Family Code § 3183(a), interpreters and parties who live outside the county (Rule 7.4); child custody investigators and evaluators - no peremptory challenge, change requests by written motion and the complaint procedure (Rule 7.5); subject children in the courtroom only with the Court's prior knowledge and consent (Rule 7.6); minor's counsel under Family Code §§ 3150 et seq., their rights and the complaint procedure (Rule 7.7); the duties of the Family Law Facilitator on child support (Rule 7.8); arbitration of community estates up to $50,000 (Rule 7.9); the family centered case resolution process - a status conference noticed on filing, a mandatory settlement conference and a Statement of Issues, Contentions, and Proposed Disposition of the Case at least five (5) days before it (Rule 7.10); default or uncontested proceedings (Rule 7.11); and stipulations for a Special Master under Code of Civil Procedure § 638 (Rule 7.12).
The documents eligible for eFiling in child support cases, by form name and number (among them FL-610, FL-150, FL-666, RA-010, FL-309, RA-020, FL-335, FL-306, FL-685 and FL-320); all other documents may be submitted in person, through the court's drop box or by mail.
General Order #GO26-003 (effective January 1, 2026, in effect until December 31, 2027): child support cases are filed and heard at the Historic Courthouse (351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino) or the Barstow Courthouse; the order's tables list the zip codes and cities each courthouse serves (by the place of residence or where the incident occurred).
Chapter 5 (Family Law; rules 5.00–5.38): construction and definitions; assignments in family law departments (Rule 5.09); ex parte applications and orders shortening time; law and motion pleadings; confidential mediation and recommending mediation through the Office of Family Court Services and referrals to private mediation (rules 5.16–5.18); child custody evaluations and the admission of mediation or evaluation reports; temporary spousal support; continuances; remote proceedings (Rule 5.24); discovery; trial setting, time estimates, mandatory settlement conferences, statements of issues and contentions, and findings and orders after long cause hearings; child support stipulations; challenges to and complaints about mediators and evaluators; Family Centered Case Resolution (Rule 5.34); minor's counsel; the family law facilitator; and electronic evidence for trials and specially set hearings (Rule 5.38).
Designated staff of the Family Law Division, Family Court Services and the AB 1058 Child Support Commissioner Program may affix the facsimile signature of the Supervising Judge of Family Law (or her designee for the AB 1058 program) to twelve listed documents, among them mediation appointment orders, orders to show cause setting cases, final judgments on summary dissolutions and requests for judgment, fee waiver orders, and requests to continue a request-for-order hearing (the clerk may continue a hearing once). Supersedes 2022-SJ-035-00.
The Court Child Support Unit's courtroom schedule (last updated May 2026): the weekly calendars of Department L51 (Commissioner Laurie Burns, cases ending 00–49) and Department L54 (Commissioner Jessica Paulson-Duffy, cases ending 50–99) — general family law matters, Department of Child Support Services matters (modifications, arrears, wage assignments, license denial, motions for judgment), and long cause trials with DCSS; telephonic requests for continuances are not permitted.
Department L51's mandatory settlement conference rules under Local Rule 707: the parties and DCSS meet and confer before the conference; settlement conference and trial statements (with guideline support calculations) served five calendar days before; a joint statement of issues remaining to be tried; mandatory attendance, with sanctions for failure to attend.
Department L54's mandatory settlement conference rules under Local Rule 707 for cases estimated at one hour or more: the parties and DCSS meet and confer before the conference; settlement conference and trial statements (with guideline support calculations) served five calendar days before; a joint statement of issues remaining to be tried; mandatory attendance, with sanctions for failure to attend.
Commissioners Laurie Burns (L51) and Jessica Paulson-Duffy (L54): Income and Expense Declarations with attachments submitted to DCSS within 90 days and exchanged 72 hours before the hearing; hearings by Zoom beginning 8:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.; who is admitted; participants on camera; no recording; timeliness and attire; conduct at the hearing; interpreters and ADA accommodations; and preparing, marking and maintaining electronic evidence and exhibits.
Effective October 2, 2023, the court rescinds Administrative Order No. 22/03 (October 11, 2022): requests for custody orders may be made on a Request for Order (FL-300) in an existing child support/DCSS case, and requests to modify custody orders on an FL-300 in an open family law domestic violence case.
Title 5 of the court's local rules (effective July 1, 2026; rules 5.1–5.557). Division 1, family rules: the family law facilitator, remote appearances, electronic filing and service, emergency (ex parte) applications, status conferences, supervised visitation, settlement conferences and trials, motions and continuances, the spousal and partner support guideline, marital settlement agreements and judgments, earning assignments, child custody recommending counseling and evaluation, complaints about minors' counsel, private mediation, Title IV-D commissioners and sanctions. Division 2, juvenile rules: administration, reports, calendaring and attendance, discovery, ex parte requests, CASA, information sharing and record access, dependency mediation, attorney competency and complaints, foster-parent authorizations and disclosures, section 388 petitions and related dependency procedures.
Remote appearance rules of Department 804 (child support matters) under California Rules of Court, rule 3.672(h): in-person appearance is required except for ex parte hearings, agreed continuances and full stipulations; remote appearance only with prior court permission or a Notice of Remote Appearance (RA-010) filed at least 10 court days ahead; video by Microsoft Teams, conduct while appearing remotely, no recording or remote observers, and the meet-and-confer duties of rule 5.98.
Transfer of proceedings involving the Department of Child Support Services: Title IV-D commissioners may transfer matters between Title IV-D departments; cases where both parties (or one party, the other living outside the county) reside in the North County filing area go to the North County Division; e-filed DCSS documents may use either division's address. In effect for 2026.
Video court for Department of Child Support Services proceedings: North County DCSS cases may be heard by video link to a judicial officer in the Central Division courthouse, with everyone deemed present in the same courtroom. In effect for 2026.