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27 rules
Section 4-Family Law: these Rules apply to all matters related to the Family Law Act, the Uniform Parentage Act, the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (4.1); subject to available resources, the Family Court Judge or Commissioner to review Criminal Court records for existing restraining/protective orders involving the same parties before issuing a permanent CLETS Civil Restraining Order (4.2(a)); a Family Court order that permits contact between a restrained person and his or her children to set forth the contact schedule and the safe exchange of the children, without language conflicting with a no-contact or limited-access Criminal Protective Order (4.2(b)); an attorney or self-represented litigant may be directed to complete the Application to Modify Criminal Protective Order form, attaching a copy of a Minute Order reflecting the Family Court’s recommendation to the Criminal Court (4.2(c)); parents not in agreement regarding custody and/or visitation required to attend mediation before the Child Custody Recommending Counselor (CCRC), keep all appointments and make a good faith effort to agree, and the Court may make temporary orders pending mediation (4.3(a)); generally only the two parents and the mediator attend, but the mediator may allow other persons to participate (4.3(b)); mediation private and confidential, including verbal communications to the mediator unless they impact safety, and the Court may consider the mediator’s written recommendation regarding custody and visitation without further foundation (4.3(c)); ex parte communications permitted by the mediator in writing and served on the opposing party (Rule 5.235 of the California Rules of Court), but not communications between parties made to the mediator (4.3(d)); after mediation, the Court may schedule a hearing on unresolved custody and visitation issues, order a custody evaluation pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 5.220 and make temporary orders pending its completion (4.4); a stipulated evaluation approved only where the Court deems it warranted, an evaluator stipulated to by the parties or, absent stipulation or for good cause, appointed by the Court and meeting the requirements of California Rules of Court, Rule 5.225, the parties ordered to pay the cost according to their relative ability to pay, and the final report used only as evidence at a custody or visitation hearing unless otherwise ordered, the Court’s copy confidential (4.5); within 30 calendar days of a hearing or trial where support is at issue, each party to file a current Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150) with paycheck stubs for the most recent two months or, if self-employed, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, quarterly sales tax reports, the last filed tax return or similar documentation (4.6(a)); the Court may also ask for the last three state and federal income tax returns (4.6(b)); notice of an ex parte application in accordance with California Rules of Court, Rule 5.165, and requests for emergency orders considered only if they conform with California Rules of Court, Rule 5.151 (4.7); counsel should come to a hearing with a written Order After Hearing (OAH), one counsel designated to prepare it if further drafting is required, the draft submitted to opposing counsel for approval as to form, faxed or emailed OAH’s acceptable, all OAH’s submitted within 14 days following the hearing or sanctions may result, and, if opposing counsel does not respond within five days, the proposed OAH submitted directly with a declaration (4.8); a stipulation for a modification of an existing order, signed by both parties and their attorneys, if any, and presented to the judge (4.9); all contested dissolutions set for a settlement conference, which the parties and the attorneys attend (4.10(a)); and at least 10 court days before the settlement conference, each party to file and serve a Settlement Conference Statement containing a current Income and Expense Declaration (form FL-150), Schedule of Assets and Debts (form FL-142) and proposed division of the community property, the acquisition, encumbrance and title of any claimed separate property, the most recent custody, visitation and support orders with requested modifications, and a statement of facts and legal argument on any contested legal issue (4.10(b))
Completed forms filed online by email to onlinefiling@tuolumne.courts.ca.gov, or in person, all orders, however filed, processed within normal business hours; only Domestic Violence Restraining Order forms and Gun Violence Order forms accepted through online/email submission, other documents received not reviewed, considered, or returned; the information sheets (DV-500-INFO, DV-505-INFO, DV-120-INFO, DV-520-INFO, DV-115-INFO, DV-400-INFO, DV-530-INFO, DV-700-INFO, DV-200-INFO, DV-800-INFO, some with audio) and the forms to ask for a restraining order - DV-100, DV-101, DV-105, DV-108, DV-109, DV-110, DV-120 (left blank and served on the restrained person), DV-112, DV-115, DV-116, DV-130, DV-140, DV-145, DV-150, DV-200, DV-250, CLETS-001, DV-570, FL-150, FL-155, FL-191, FL-343, MC-020 and MC-030/MC-031.
The forms downloaded and completed - 1. Petition for Gun Violence Restraining Order (GV-100; item 10 checked for an order right away), 2. Confidential CLETS Information (CLETS-001; not used by the court and not given to the person to be restrained), 3. Notice of Court Hearing (GV-109; items 1 and 2 only) and 4. (optional) Temporary Restraining Order (GV-110; items 1 and 2 only) when protection is asked right away - emailed to onlinefiling@tuolumne.courts.ca.gov, or filed in person, all orders, however filed, processed within normal business hours; only Domestic Violence Restraining Order forms and Gun Violence Order forms accepted through online/email submission, other documents received not reviewed, considered, or returned.
Family Mediation Services for litigants with a current case involving the custody and visitation of their minor children - an appointment made by calling 209-533-6565, with the case number and the mailing address of the other party at hand; no appointment for just one party, both parties must participate; where domestic violence restraining orders are involved, the clerk's office told when the appointment is made and one party instructed to call in at the appointment time so the order is not violated; the mediation services non-recommending - the mediator does not testify in court or write any recommendation to the court; civil mediation - general information on ADR (arbitration and mediation), ADR programs through the court at (209) 533-5555.
Chapter 7, Part 1, Rules 732 to 734: mutually agreed experts encouraged and, in their absence, an expert the court may appoint under Evidence Code section 730, the expert's written reports transmitted to each counsel or unrepresented party at least thirty (30) calendar days before trial and deemed in evidence, a party demanding to cross-examine the expert arranging the expert's attendance and listing the expert on its Witness List (732); the Clerk of the Court or a designee appointed as elisor to sign a document one of the parties will not or cannot execute, the application and proposed order designating The Clerk of the Court or clerk's designee and not a specific court employee, the document attached to the proposed order, a declaration of necessity, and a notary public present when notarization is required (733); and a proposed Restraining Order After Hearing on form DV-130 provided with a request for a domestic violence restraining order, or a hard copy presented at the hearing, or the order prepared and submitted by close of business on the day of the hearing (734)
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)
Requests for Restraining Orders submitted by 8:45 a.m. available for pick up the following court day from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 1100 I Street, in the Family Law lobby, Window #1; filings submitted in person, by mail or by fax through the Automated Fax Filing System; forms and packets at the Court's Self-Help Center (800 11th Street, Room 220, Modesto; 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday, closed on Fridays), which also guides the filling out of the forms, at the Family Law Clerk's Office and at the Stanislaus County Law Library; the Request for Order form not used for a personal conduct stay-away order, which requires the Domestic Violence Restraining Order forms; a party seeking temporary orders giving the other party at least 24 hours' notice of the intent to seek them; and a Declaration re: Notice Upon Ex Parte Application for Orders always filed when requesting any ex parte order for a Request for Order with temporary orders.
The family centered case resolution process (status conferences and a case resolution plan); family law mediation shared with the El Dorado County Superior Court, South Lake Tahoe Branch, upon referral; family law cases generally heard under the Civil Calendar, via Zoom unless otherwise ordered (the Clerk's Office at (530) 694-2113 for the information to appear remotely); requests and petitions for restraining and protective orders heard trailing the Criminal Calendar on Mondays at 3:00 P.M.; filing by mail, by fax ($1.00 per page, 20 pages maximum) or in person from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; petitions for domestic violence restraining orders submitted electronically from July 1, 2023 (the court's instructions); the Family Law Facilitator at South Lake Tahoe or Placerville.
A domestic violence restraining order against a person in a dating, intimate or family relationship; the forms prepared with LawHelp Interactive (an interview program, from 15 minutes to 2 hours, that does not file the forms; an account recommended, a time-out at 2 hours) or from the California Courts' Self-Help Guide, then submitted electronically to modocclerk@modoc.courts.ca.gov or printed and filed with the clerk at the courthouse; a judge reviewing the papers to decide whether to grant temporary protection, the papers picked up from the court and served on the other side - free by the Sheriff's Office at (530) 233-4416, or by a process server or someone 18 or over and not part of the case, never by the filer; a person served with forms DV-109, DV-100 or DV-110 responding with the same tools, the restraining order lasting up to 5 years; Safe at Home and the local resources.
Completed gun violence and domestic violence restraining order forms sent to civil@mono.courts.ca.gov; the self-help guides (the domestic violence process and forms, the gun violence process and form), local help with forms (https://wild-iris.org/) and the request forms (DV-100; GV-100).
The forms prepared with the LawHelp Interactive program (from 15 minutes to up to 2 hours; the system may time out after 2 hours, an account saving the progress) or otherwise, then emailed to efiling@plumas.courts.ca.gov or filed with the clerk's office at the Courthouse - no fees for filing; after a judge reviews the papers and decides whether to grant temporary protection, the papers picked up from the court; the other side served by someone 18 or older and not involved in the case (the Sheriff's Office serves Domestic Violence court papers for free, (530) 283-6375; a process server or a person known) - never by the person asking; a remote appearance at the hearing possible (the Remote Appearances page); a response prepared with LawHelp Interactive and submitted electronically or filed with the clerk at the courthouse.
Domestic violence and gun violence restraining order documents prepared with the LawHelp Interactive interview (it does not file the forms; the system times out at 2 hours) and submitted electronically by e-mail to info@colusa.courts.ca.gov, or printed and filed with the clerk at the courthouse - no fees for filing these documents; a judge reviews the papers to decide whether to grant temporary protection, and the papers are picked up from the court; the other side served by the Sheriff's Office free of charge ((530) 458-0227), by a process server or by someone 18 or over and not part of the case - never by the person asking for the order.
The forms prepared with the LawHelp Interactive program (from 15 minutes to 2 hours; the system times out at 2 hours, an account saving the answers) or without it, then submitted through the Domestic Violence & Gun Violence Restraining Order Online Submission System or filed with the clerk's office at the Hall of Justice - no fees for filing; after a judge reviews the papers and decides on temporary protection, the papers picked up from the court; the other person served by someone 18 or over and not part of the case (the Sheriff's Office serves for free, (530) 251-8014; a process server or a person known) - never by the person asking; a remote appearance at the hearing (the Zoom Appearance page); a response prepared with LawHelp Interactive and submitted online or filed with the clerk.
Rule 12 (Rules 12.1 and 12.2): Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) and Voluntary Mediation conducted under Family Code section 3160 et seq. - CCRC when a family law action is pending (it may result in a recommendation to the court) - and child custody evaluations under California Rules of Court, Rule 5.220 (12.1(A)); Voluntary Mediation without a pending action on intake packets completed with Family Court Services, available to parties once per year, the Mediator making a recommendation to the Court on unresolved topics (12.1(B)); all contested custody and visitation matters referred to CCRC, the counselor’s confidential recommendations on disputed issues and interim recommendations (12.1(C)); temporary domestic violence restraining orders with custody and visitation issues may be referred to Family Court Services (12.1(D)); the counselor’s discretion to interview any child (12.1(E)); a support person for a party who alleges being a victim of violence (Family Code section 6303) - 18 years of age or older, not the child of either parent, not the attorney for either party, present for emotional support, a support person the counselor may exclude under section 6303(c), required to sign a Statement of Understanding (12.1(F)); a neutral interpreter fluent in English and the party’s native language, an adult family member only when appropriate interpreters are not available, in no case a child of the parties (12.1(G)); a Court-Connected Child Custody Evaluator who meets the requirements of Family Code section 3110.5, a full or partial evaluation, a fee for the evaluation, a written confidential report, and the evaluator’s declaration of 12 hours of advanced domestic violence training and four (4) hour update training by attachment to the FL-325 filed annually (12.1(H)); an evaluator’s withdrawal on good cause (12.1(I)); ex parte communication with counselors, evaluators and mediators prohibited (California Rules of Court, rule 5.235(b)(2)) unless authorized by the court, to schedule appointments, to address allegations of domestic violence, a conflict of interest or complaints, and documents provided to the counselor also provided to the other party, with a proof of service to Family Court Services (12.1(J)); any written report or recommendation confidential (Family Code section 3111(d), section 3177, Evidence Code section 1040), and the exceptions to confidentiality (12.1(K)); complaints in writing to the Court Executive Officer, a request to change counselor received no later than thirty (30) calendar days after the session, and a written response within thirty (30) calendar days (12.1(L)); a CCRC/Mediation appointment a court date, a sanction of $100.00 for failure to attend or for failing to notify Family Court Services of an agreement no less than 48 hours before, in exigent circumstances, contact with Family Court Services and the other parent no later than 4:00 PM on the day before, and sanctions remitted before another appointment, fee waivers not to apply to sanctions (12.1(M)); supervised visitation - contact between a non-custodial parent and one or more children in the presence of a neutral third person, ordered to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the child(ren) (12.2(A), 12.2(B)); the Uniform Standards of Practice (Standards of Judicial Administration, Section 5.20) and the qualifications of Family Code section 3200.5 for nonprofessional and professional providers (12.2(C), 12.2(D)); nonprofessional providers to sign and file Judicial Council Form FL-324(NP) before supervising a visitation, by mail or at the Clerk’s window at the Hall of Justice, 2610 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130 (12.2(E)); professional providers to complete a Live Scan, register as a Trustline provider, meet training requirements and file form FL-324(P), a separate updated FL-324(P) with each report and an updated declaration within five days of a change (12.2(F)); and the parties to investigate and know that a provider meets the statutory qualifications - the court does not screen, endorse, evaluate, or monitor providers - and to file a declaration within five days of a provider’s written notice of ineligibility (12.2(G)).
The Mediation/Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) process begins with the mandatory Orientation to Mediation - viewing the Orientation to Family court Mediation and Child Custody Recommending Counseling video (approximately 30 minutes long), reviewing the Orientation to Mediation Packet, and filling out and submitting the Child Custody Mediation Intake Form and the Information for Custody/Visitation Form (a hard copy returned, or the form filled out online and submitted via email) - completed at least 5 days prior to the scheduled mediation appointment (the online process takes approximately 1 hour); Mediation/CCRC and Orientation for the parties in the case only, the children cared for in a separate location; a domestic violence concern told to the lawyer, to the judge or mediation intake person and to the mediator at the beginning of the mediation session, a support person allowed subject to certain limitations and the mediator seen alone and at a different time from the other parent; a mediator who suspects child abuse required by law to report it; to have the mediation report considered by the court at trial, a deposit paid and the mediator subpoenaed at least 10 calendar days in advance on the Civil Subpoena for Personal Appearance at Trial or Hearing (SUBP-001) - the Family Law division contacted in advance at (530) 934-6446, option 6, to make certain the mediator is available, then the completed subpoena and the deposit fee of $275.00 (cashier's check, personal check, money order, or cash; no deposit for a trial related to a petition for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order) brought to the courthouse, Court Security notified to see Administration to serve the subpoena on the Court Executive Officer or their designee; a refund of any unused portion of the deposit on a written request to the Civil Division, in-person or by U.S. Mail, 10 days following the conclusion of the trial.
Chapter 10 (Rules 10.0 and 10.1): a party or witness may appear remotely at the hearing on a petition for a domestic violence restraining order, notice given on the form RA-010 Notice of Remote Appearance with one court day notice (10.0); the telephone number for assistance with remote appearances under Family Code 6308 and Penal Code 18123, (530)740-1817, staffed 30 minutes prior to and during all domestic violence hearings, heard Tuesday through Friday at 1:30 p.m. and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. (10.1).
Filing a Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order or a Petition for Gun Violence Restraining Order by e-mail at no cost - the documents to initiate each case (DV-100, DV-109, DV-110, CLETS-001 and, for custody or visitation orders, LF-FAM-105; GV-100, GV-109, GV-110, CLETS-001 and CM-010); each document a separate PDF attachment named by its form number; the filer's telephone number and e-mail address; the address restrainingorders@shasta.courts.ca.gov; the confirmation e-mail, the clerk's review, the acceptance with a file-stamped copy or the return of an incomplete submission; the order e-mailed unless mail or pickup at the Civil Counter is requested.
Family Court Services mediation free of charge, generally before the court appearance; scheduling mediation - the online orientation completed and a proof of service filed for any recent document, all adult parties completing the orientation before an appointment is offered; parties seen together, with separate appointments where a domestic violence restraining order is in place or domestic violence is alleged; a support person who may not participate and must keep the session confidential; a missed appointment that may not be rescheduled before the hearing, the mediator still reporting to the court if the other party attends; children interviewed only when the mediator deems it necessary after the parents attend; confidentiality and the mediator's reports of suspected abuse or threats; the report emailed to all parties and attorneys; no contact with the mediator before or after the appointment; only child custody and visitation addressed; the mediator not appearing at the hearing; a subpoena of a CCRC mediator for trial - the mediator's availability confirmed with Family Court Services, the subpoena submitted to the Executive Office on the 3rd floor of the courthouse, a deposit of $275 for each day (Government Code 68096.1) with the Legal Process Unit at the filing windows, then billing for service time not covered or a refund of the excess.
Family law continuances and drops by hearing type - without an agreement, the request for order/request for continuance process (FL306/FL307 or DV115/DV116); an Order to Show Cause – Contempt continued or dropped by stipulation and order, with a fee, not by fax; domestic violence restraining order hearings continued on forms DV-115 and DV-116, the request heard on the date the matter is set; for all other family law matters, form PL-FL018 for Family Case Resolution Conferences and PL-FL005 otherwise, submitted with its documentation before 12:00 p.m. two (2) court days before the first scheduled hearing by mail, drop box or at the filing counter; with no fee and by fax, confirming letters stating both parties agree - emergency request hearings cannot be continued and are dropped by letter; Request for Order/Order to Show Cause (FL-300) hearings, Family Case Resolution Conferences, the TAC, and settlement and trial confirming conferences and trials (each related hearing vacated; a new Trial Assignment or Evidentiary Hearing in Dept. 32, 8:30AM on any Friday, named in the letter); faxed documentation need not be followed by the original [CRC 2.305].
Rules 7-100 to 7-118: emergency (ex parte) requests under California Rules of Court, Rule 5.151 through Rule 5.170, in writing, with the notice of Rule 5.165 and form FL-305 (7-100); orders excluding a party from the home only on a detailed declaration of immediate and serious harm (7-101); notice of other proceedings involving the children or the parties, and of prior similar applications (7-102); declarations supporting and responding to a Request for Order, a DVRO or an EARO under Rule 5.111 - one (1) declaration and one reply, no surrebuttal until a review hearing 60 days or more later, attached evidentiary documents not exceeding 10 pages without an ex parte application for more (7-102.5); meeting and conferring before a case is heard on the family law calendar and before mediation, on the parenting plan, by attorneys and parties without attorneys alike, and the exchange of documentary evidence three days before the hearing (7-103); mediation (Family Code §3183) - recommendations and cross-examination, no peremptory challenge, motions to disqualify, no ex-parte communication with mediators, counsel in a support capacity, and the Family Court Services orientation required before the court date on any request placing custody or visitation at issue (7-104); support under the Santa Clara County guidelines and the Code, with each party's most recently filed tax return (7-105); a custody evaluator's testimony by videoconference (Evidence Code §730) - a written report, the proponent's arrangements and expense, notice at least 15 days before, objections 10 days and replies 5 days before, and an office 75 miles or more from the courthouse (7-106); no default without a Declaration of Disclosure served at least 30 days before or a Marital Settlement Agreement (7-107); at-issue memorandums after a good faith settlement proposal and a current Income and Expense Declaration and a completed Declaration of Disclosure (7-108); the results of failing to comply (Code of Civil Procedure section 128.5; Family Code sections 270 through 275) (7-109); mandatory settlement conferences on property or spousal support issues, statements filed and served ten days before, attorney's fees requested under Rule 5.427 (7-110); trial briefs filed and exchanged at least five court days before trial (Rule 5.394), with the document and witness lists (7-110.5); family law tentative rulings - the intent to appear and argue given by calling (209) 992-5690, and to the other side, by 4:00 p.m. the day before, and the matters subject to them (7-111); the duties of the Family Law Facilitator (Family Code section 10002 et seq.) (7-112); the judicial caveat preserving judicial discretion (7-113); communication between the courts on criminal protective orders and custody orders (Rule 5.445), the criminal order controlling, its modification, and exchanges under Section 3100 of the Family Code (7-114); videoconference appearances at trial - disfavored, requested by Ex Parte Application for Videoconference Appearance at Trial and Order (SJ-FL-004) at least twenty (20) days before, objections within five (5) days, documents five (5) court days before, evidence in Department #5A emailed at least five days before (Code of Civil Procedure section 135), no recording (7-115); remote appearances (Civil Code of Procedure section 367.75; California Rule of Court, rule 3.672) - law and motion and ex parte hearings by telephone, notice waived; evidentiary hearings, RFOs, mediations, settlement conferences, trials and orders to show cause in person unless authorized on an Ex Parte Application for Remote Appearance at Hearing and Order (Form SJ-FL-005) no later than 10 court days before, objections within five (5) days; the bridge line joined at least 10 minutes early, the roll call, documents 5 court days before, no recording (7-116); the Underage Marriage or Domestic Partnership Applicant Information form (SJ-FL-009) for the interview under CRC Rule 5.448(c) (7-117); and orders shortening time only on a written declaration or affidavit showing the necessity, through an ex parte request or by stipulation (7-118).
Where and when restraining order applications are submitted: Domestic Violence Restraining Orders at the Spinetta Family Law Center (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; e-filing, drop box or mail), or at the Richmond or Pittsburg courthouse only for the residents the page names; civil harassment, private postsecondary school, workplace violence and elder abuse requests at Department 57, Room 102 (9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.); Gun Violence Restraining Order forms by email; hearings in person and remote appearances (CCP Section 367.75, RA-010, RA-015; documents 3 court days before).
Effective October 1, 2024, Judge Carolyn Gold assigned to Department 405A: domestic violence restraining order requests not involving children (Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. for married parties, Friday at 9:00 a.m. for unwed parties, and trials as set); family law discovery requests for order (Fam. Code § 6309), on the 1st and 3rd Fridays at 1:30 p.m.; Family Centered Case Resolution calendars (status conferences Monday at 10:00 a.m.; 18 Month Review Hearings and 3-Year and 5-Year Dismissal calendars on the 2nd and 4th Monday in the afternoon); readiness calendars Monday at 9:00 am, with the case remaining assigned to 403 or 404; default and uncontested judgment review and prove-up hearings; and other matters as assigned.
The order issued whenever a family law case is assigned, served by the petitioner on all parties: civility; in-person appearances - Zoom only for domestic violence restraining order hearings and non-evidentiary appearances, or on a request (local form FL015) made seven (7) days before the hearing and granted; continuances - one Request for Order or Trial Setting Conference continuance freely granted, by email no later than the day before the hearing at 3:00 PM when both parties agree; meet and confer before a request for order hearing under rule 5.98; mediation with Family Court Services if not attended within the past 120 days; current Income and Expense Declarations (FL-150) and Xspouse calculations; the moving party prepares the findings and order after hearing (CRC 5.125); the path to a long-cause hearing or trial - settlement conferences, the Trial Setting Conference, meaningful meet and confers and the Trial Readiness Statement; motions in limine five (5) court days before trial, oppositions two (2) court days before; hard-copy exhibits; objections; and communications with the clerk copied to the other side.
Chapter 19 (Rules 19.00 to 19.43, adopted effective July 1, 2026): purpose, drafting conventions and scope; the Family Law Division's judicial assignments and calendaring (Rule 19.03); venue with Local Form FL013 (Rule 19.04); the Family Law Facilitator; Judicial Council forms and double-spacing; self-represented parties; interpreters - written notice at least one week before the hearing (Rule 19.08); communication with the court and the designated department email addresses (Rules 19.09 and 19.10); alternative dispute resolution; temporary emergency orders and domestic violence restraining orders (Rules 19.12 and 19.13); calendaring requests for order (Rule 19.14); pre-hearing settlement efforts and meet and confers under rule 5.98 (Rules 19.15 and 19.16); settlements, mediation, proof of service and continuances; court appearance - personal appearance required, remote appearance the exception (Rule 19.21); failure to appear; the request for order calendar, evidence and time estimates; trial dates by Joint At-Issue Memorandum, Local Form FL003 (Rule 19.26); exchange of financial documents (Rule 19.27); pre-trial management orders for trials and long-cause hearings (Rule 19.28); bifurcated trials on Form FL-315 (Rule 19.29); non-appearance status reviews; orders and judgments prepared within ten (10) days following the hearing (Rule 19.31); marital settlement agreements; the surrogacy judgment checklist (Local Form FL016); Family Court Services mediation when the parties have not attended mediation within the past 120 days (Rules 19.34 to 19.38); custody evaluations under rule 5.220 (Rule 19.39) and Evidence Code § 730 evaluations (Rule 19.40); confidentiality of child welfare records (Rule 19.41); and counsel for minors (Rules 19.42 and 19.43).
Criminal background searches in domestic violence restraining order matters (Family Code section 6306): the court's Background Investigation Unit conducts the searches and its clerks notify law enforcement when the restrained party has an outstanding warrant or is on parole or probation. In effect for 2026.
Amendment of Local Rule 5.4.1.C (domestic violence restraining order hearings): written rescheduling requests use Request to Continue Hearing (JC Form DV-115) with the top of Order on Request to Continue Court Hearing (DV-116) completed; for oral requests parties are encouraged to submit the DV-116 with its top portion completed. In effect for 2026.
Division V of the court's 2026 local rules (rules 5.1.1–5.14.6): case management, emergency (ex parte) orders, domestic violence restraining orders, requests for order, income and expense declarations, calendar assignments, settlement conferences and trials, parentage actions, the family support division, custody and visitation, orders after hearing and judgments, and minor's counsel.