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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).
California > Second Appellate District > San Luis Obispo County > Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo
CHAPTER 19 – FAMILY LAW DEPARTMENT PROCEDURES AND POLICIES RULE 19.00 PURPOSE OF LOCAL RULES (a) Purpose and Uniformity. The California Rules of Court and these Local Rules are intended to promote uniformity in the practice and procedures among the departments hearing family law matters in San Luis Obispo County. Attorneys and self-represented litigants should familiarize themselves and comply with the guidelines set forth in this material, in addition to the California Rules of Court, Family Code and other statutory, decisional, and constitutional authorities. (b) Supersession of Prior Policies. Prior to the adoption of these Local Rules, the Family Law Division’s practices and procedures were set forth in both the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo Local Rules and the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo Family Law Division Policies and Procedures Manual (“P&PM”). With the adoption of these Local Rules, the Family Law Division’s practices and procedures are governed exclusively by these Local Rules. References to the former P&PM or former Local Rule, (for example, “[P&PM 2.1; LR19.00.1]”) are included solely to identify the prior source of provisions incorporated herein. (c) Self-Help Resources. Self-represented parties may seek additional information concerning court processes and documents through the San Luis Obispo County Family Law Facilitator and the Judicial Branch of California’s California Courts Self-Help Guide. Rule 19.00 amended effective July 1, 2026; previously amended July 1, 2002, July 1, 2023. RULE 19.00.1 ASSIGNMENT OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS FOR ALL PURPOSES [REPEALED] Rule 19.00.1 repealed effective July 1, 2026; previously amended effective January 1, 2009. RULE 19.01 DRAFTING CONVENTIONS AND RESOURCES (a) Statutory References. Statutory references in these rules may use the section symbol (§) to refer to sections of the Family Code, Code of Civil Procedure, Evidence Code, or other statutes. (b) California Rules of Court. References to the California Rules of Court appear in the form “California Rules of Court, rule X.XXX.” The full text of the California Rules of Court is available on the Judicial Branch of California website. (c) Judicial Council Forms. References to Judicial Council forms appear in as “Form FL-XXX, Title.” Current Judicial Council forms are available online. (d) Citation. These rules may be cited as the “San Luis Obispo County Family Law Local Rules.” In pleadings, memoranda, declarations, and court orders, they may be cited as “Family Law Local Rule 19.XX,” with reference to the specific rule number. (e) Local Forms. References to local forms appear in the form “Local Form FLXXX, Title.” Current local forms are available on the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo website. Rule 19.01 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [No former rule.] RULE 19.02 SCOPE AND AVAILABILITY (a) Scope of Application. Rule 19 applies to all family law matters filed in or assigned to the Family Law Division of the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo. (b) Applicability to Parties and Counsel. These rules govern practice and procedure in such matters and apply to all parties and counsel, whether represented by an attorney or self-represented, unless a rule expressly provides otherwise. (c) Relationship to Controlling Authority. Rule 19 is intended to supplement, and not to conflict with, the California Rules of Court, the Family Code, and other applicable statutory and decisional authority. In the event of any conflict, controlling statutes and the California Rules of Court prevail. (d) Exclusivity of Published Rules. These rules constitute the governing published local rules of practice for family law matters in this court, and no unpublished policies, procedures, or informal practices shall be deemed binding on parties or counsel. Paragraph headings, section titles, and descriptive labels are included for organizational convenience only and do not alter, expand, or limit the substantive provisions of these rules. (e) Timeliness and Proper Filing. Consistent with the California Rules of Court and applicable law, the court may decline to consider documents or requests that are not timely filed or properly submitted. Rule 19.02 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [No former rule.] RULE 19.03 JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENTS AND CALENDARING (a) Structure of the Family Law Division. The Family Law Division of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court is made up of three judicial officers and one family law facilitator. One judicial officer supervises the Division; one judicial officer hears matters in which the Department of Child Support Services has an interest; and two judicial officers hear matters involving applications for Domestic Violence Protective Orders (Family Code § 6200 et seq.) filed independently from an existing family law matter. All three judicial officers hear all other family law issues and may be available to mediate family law disputes if their workload allows them time to do so. (b) Assignment of Domestic Violence Matters. An application for domestic violence restraining orders will be heard by the judicial officer assigned to the domestic violence calendar unless a family law action is already pending. If a family law action is already pending, the domestic violence restraining order application will be filed in the pending action (or consolidated with the pending action) and referred to the judicial officer to whom the case was assigned for all purposes. Temporary orders may be made by any of the Family Law Division judicial officers, or any assigned judge, until the matter can be heard by the judicial officer to whom the case was assigned for all purposes. (c) Direct Calendaring System. The Family Law Division operates under a direct calendaring system. When a case is filed or transferred to this court, it is immediately assigned to a judicial officer for all purposes pursuant to Family Code § 2330.3. Assignments to court commissioners are assignments to the commissioners for all purposes as a temporary judge. If the assignment is to a court commissioner, the commissioner shall act as a temporary judge for all purposes with respect to the case without further order of the court if a party fails to object to the matter being heard by a temporary judge before the temporary judge begins the proceeding or the party signs a written stipulation agreeing that the matter may be heard by a temporary judge. The duties and powers of the commissioner acting as a temporary judge in such assigned cases include but are not limited to conducting all pre-trial motions, requests for order, orders to show cause, applications for domestic violence restraining orders, trial of all issues framed by the pleadings and all post-trial motions and hearings, whether or not contested, and such other matters that arise while the commissioner is exercising the powers, duties and functions of a superior court judge. Relief from such stipulation shall be sought only as provided in California Rules of Court, rule 2.816. (d) Policy Encouraging Settlement and Efficient Case Management. It is the policy of the court to encourage cooperation and consultations between parties and counsel to facilitate settlement, to avoid needless appearances and to achieve a prompt and cost-effective resolution of family law disputes. Parenting disputes are given the highest priority and continuances of hearing on parenting issues are discouraged. Rule 19.03 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2.1; LR 19.00.1 repealed July 1, 2026] RULE 19.04 VENUE OF FAMILY LAW PROCEEDINGS (a) Family law cases may be filed at the San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles branches of the Superior Court. The party filing the initial pleading must include Local Form FL013, Statement of Venue, to designate the proper venue for the action. The case must be assigned for all purposes to a judicial officer sitting in a branch court or to a judicial officer sitting in the courthouse in San Luis Obispo. The case must be assigned to a judicial officer sitting in the Paso Robles branch court or the San Luis Obispo Courthouse at the locations set forth below, based on a petitioner’s residence at time of filing, or, if petitioner resides outside the county, where the respondent resides. (1) San Luis Obispo Branch: San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, Cayucos, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, Oceano, Pismo Beach, and unincorporated areas south of the Cuesta Grade and unincorporated areas in between. (2) Paso Robles Branch: Paso Robles, Atascadero, Cambria, Santa Margarita, Templeton, and unincorporated areas north of the Cuesta Grade. (b) The court to which any action has been assigned may be changed upon a showing of good cause or upon the court’s own motion. Rule 19.04 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [LR 19.01] RULE 19.05 FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR – SELF-HELP CENTER The court’s Family Law Facilitator offers webinars and appointments by telephone and in-person for individuals who are not represented by an attorney. For current information on services and appointments, visit the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court’s website. The services provided by the Family Law Facilitator / Self-Help Center include help to: (a) Prepare forms to establish parentage and how to establish, modify, and enforce child support orders. (b) Initiate or respond to a petition to dissolve or annul a marriage; (c) Prepare required disclosure forms in a dissolution or separation action; (d) Process defaults in dissolution, separation, or annulment actions; (e) Prepare the judgment and other forms necessary to dissolve or annul a marriage; (f) Initiate or respond to a domestic violence restraining order; (g) Establish or modify orders for child custody or visitation; (h) Make a request for other relief in family law actions; (i) Schedule or respond to an ex parte hearing in an emergency situation; (j) Initiate a petition and obtain a decree to change name and/or gender; (k) Initiate or respond to a civil harassment restraining order; (l) Initiate or object to a petition to establish guardianship; (m) Initiate or object to a petition to establish conservatorship; (n) Initiate or respond to an eviction; (o) Initiate expungement request; and, (p) Initiate stepparent adoption request if all parties are in agreement. The court may assign additional duties to the Family Law Facilitator as allowed by statute. The Family Law Facilitator’s Office / Self-Help Center services are provided to all self-represented litigants, including opposing parties to any matter. The Facilitator and staff do not provide legal advice or representation, and statements made to the Facilitator and staff are not confidential.Rule 19.05 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2.2] RULE 19.06 USE OF JUDICIAL COUNCIL FORMS AND DOUBLE-SPACING REQUIREMENT Documents filed for matters pending in the Family Law Department must be on forms provided by the Judicial Council or the local forms provided by the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, if the form is adopted for mandatory use. When a mandatory form is not required, the court prefers the use of forms adopted for optional use by the Judicial Council or San Luis Obispo County Superior Court over non-form pleadings. All other documents must be double-spaced and prepared in a font size of not smaller than 12 points. (California Rules of Court, rules 2.100, 2.104, 2.108, 2.256 & 5111(b).). Documents include, but are not limited to, declarations and points and authorities. Rule 19.06 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [LR 19.03] RULE 19.07 SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES Family law is very complex and important rights and remedies may be lost by persons who are unable or unqualified to represent themselves. The parties are encouraged to consult a family law attorney to be sure that all issues are resolved in a way that avoids future disagreements. Any party who is proceeding to trial or hearing without an attorney must understand that he or she is solely responsible for competently presenting the evidence needed by the judicial officer to decide the case. Self-represented parties must understand that the judicial officer who will decide the case is not permitted to give legal advice to the parties. Rule 19.07 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2.13] RULE 19.08 INTERPRETERS If any party requires an interpreter, the clerk’s office must be notified in writing at least one week before the hearing date. Parties may submit a INT-300 Request for Interpreter for this purpose. The party who requires an interpreter must not use a relative or friend to interpret in a contested proceeding. In accordance with the applicable law, the judge may determine that a non-certified interpreter is provisionally qualified. (See California Rules of Court rule 2.893, et seq.) Rule 19.08 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:15] RULE 19.09 EMAIL COMMUNICATION WITH COURT Communications with the court regarding a pending case must be made through the filing of pleadings, motions, requests, or other documents as required by law and the California Rules of Court. Except as expressly authorized by these Local Rules or by court order, parties and counsel may not communicate with the court regarding the substance or merits of a case by email, letter, telephone call, or other informal means. Where these Local Rules expressly authorize email communication with the clerk’s office for administrative or scheduling purposes, all parties or their counsel must be included in the communication. Email communication with the clerk’s office is not a substitute for filing documents with the court. These requirements apply equally to attorneys and self-represented parties and are intended to ensure fairness, transparency, and compliance with applicable law governing ex parte communications. Rule 19.09 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [No former rule.] RULE 19.10 DESIGNATED DEPARTMENT EMAIL ADDRESSES (a) Authorized Use. Where these Local Rules permit or require notification to the assigned department by email for administrative or scheduling purposes, such communication must be directed to the designated email address for that department. (b) Designated Email Addresses. As of the effective date of these rules, the designated email addresses are: Department 3: department3@slo.courts.ca.gov Department 11: department11@slo.courts.ca.gov Department P1: departmentp1@slo.courts.ca.gov If a matter is assigned to a different department, notification shall be directed to the clerk of the assigned department. (c) Changes to Email Addresses. The court may update designated department email addresses without formal amendment to these rules. Rule 19.10 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [No former rule.] RULE 19.11 ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is encouraged but not mandatory, although parties subject to a restraining order may be prohibited from participating and should refer to the terms of the order. The parties may utilize a collaborative law process to resolve their family law matters, if a written agreement is entered into by the parties, in accordance with Family Code § 2013. Information regarding ADR may be found on the Superior Court of San Luis Obispo website. Rule 19.11 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:3] RULE 19.12 REQUESTS FOR TEMPORARY EMERGENCY ORDERS (a) Ex Parte Applications. (1) Ex parte requests may result in temporary emergency custody orders that change the custodial arrangement in existence prior to the filing of ex parte application. Such orders are frequently made under circumstances which give one of the parties a very limited time to respond. Accordingly, attorneys, parties, and services employed to prepare pleadings must adhere to the highest standards of good faith and honesty in preparing declarations in support of ex parte orders. If it is determined that a party is misusing the ex parte process, sanctions will be imposed. (2) In the event the requested orders modify existing custodial arrangements, the parties or their counsel must disclose that a requested ex parte order will change the existing custodial arrangement (status quo). If a custody order exists which the ex parte application seeks to modify, a copy should be provided as an exhibit to the request for order. (3) Requests for temporary emergency orders must be in writing. The moving party must contact the Family Law Clerk’s Office at (805) 706-3600 to reserve a date and time for the request for temporary emergency orders to be reviewed by a judicial officer without appearances by the parties and counsel at the hearing. (4) The moving party must give notice of the request for temporary emergency orders to all other parties by 10:00 a.m. on the court day prior to the date reserved for the judicial officer to review the request for temporary emergency orders or provide the court with appropriate justification as to why compliant notice was not provided. (See Family Code § 215.) (5) All pleadings accompanying and including the request for temporary emergency orders must be filed by the moving party by 12:00 p.m. on the day before the reserved date. Fees must be paid when the pleadings are filed unless a fee waiver has been granted to the moving party. (6) All pleadings accompanying and including the FL-300 Request for Order for temporary emergency orders must be served on the other party as soon as possible, but in no event later than 4:00 p.m. the court day before the hearing. If the other party’s (or attorney’s) facsimile number or email address is known or publicly available, the pleading and notice must be served by facsimile transmission or email no later than 1:30 p.m. (7) If the pleadings are not timely filed or if the necessary fees are not paid (absent a fee waiver), the request for temporary emergency orders will not be heard. Exceptions to this rule will be entertained by the court only when the circumstances are shown to be extraordinary. (8) The moving party must file a declaration stating how the notice was given or facts to show that there is an exception to the requirement of service, and what the responding party was told. If exceptional circumstances are claimed, they must be specifically stated. Declarations regarding notice should comply with California Rules of Court, rules 3.1203 and 3.1204. If the court grants the request for waiver of notice, then subsections (A)(4) and (A)(6) of this Rule are not applicable. Either Judicial Council Forms or Local Forms may be used to satisfy this requirement. (9) The responding party must serve and file a FL-320 Responsive Declaration to the Request for Order with the court by the hearing date and time (9:45 a.m. on the date of the ex parte hearing unless the notice provides for a different time) in order for their response to be considered by the court. (10) Ex parte applications will be considered by a judicial officer on the basis of what appears in the pleadings only. If additional time is required to respond to a request for temporary emergency orders, the court will consider a request for a one-day continuance of the request to permit a response to be prepared and filed, provided that a written statement of this request and a summary of the reasons for such request are served and filed prior to the ex parte hearing. (b) Declarations Required. Declarations in support of requests for temporary emergency order and requests for domestic violence restraining orders must recite specific facts within the personal knowledge of the declarant which support the relief requested. If either a request for temporary emergency orders or a request for domestic violence orders propose to alter custodial arrangements, restrict visitation, or order the removal of one party from the family residence, the declaration must recite specific facts describing specific incidents and harm. [See California Rules of Court, rule 5.151.] (c) Emergency Nature of Request. Declarations in support of a request for temporary emergency orders must include facts which show why the matter must be heard on an emergency basis as opposed to being heard on the court’s regular request for order calendar. Emergencies do not include proposed revisions in custody or visitation to accommodate holiday, vacation, or birthday plans. Rule 19.12 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:5.1-2:5.4] RULE 19.13 REQUESTS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS The Domestic Violence Prevention Act allows restraining orders, including custody orders, to be obtained on an expedited basis without the necessity of paying court fees and without giving advance notice to the other party. Domestic violence restraining orders may also create certain parenting presumptions. (a) Declarations Required. (1) If an Emergency Protective Order was issued by a law enforcement agency, the Emergency Protection Order must be attached to the declaration, if available. (2) The party seeking a domestic violence restraining order must disclose any other incident of domestic violence or abuse that was reported to any law enforcement agency, or resulted in criminal charges against either party, or resulted in the imposition of a period of probation, parole, or resulted in court-ordered restraints on the conduct of either party. (b) Child Custody Orders. Any person seeking custody of or visitation with a child must disclose in their application all of the following information: (1) What facts establish the parental relationship; (2) Whether any custody or visitation orders were previously issued by any court; and (3) The specific terms of those orders (a copy of existing orders should be attached if available.) (c) Notice. The ex parte notice requirements set forth in Rule 19.12(a) do not apply to petitions brought pursuant to the Domestic Violence Prevention Act. (d) Accuracy. The parties must maintain the highest standards of good faith and accuracy in their declarations. Any attempt to use the Domestic Violence Prevention Act process as a strategy to gain an improper litigation advantage, including the failure to make full disclosure of all existing cases and orders in any court which involve or have involved the parties or any minor children, may subject the party to monetary sanctions, and such conduct may influence the orders made by the court when the matter is heard. Rule 19.13 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:5.5] RULE 19.14 CALENDARING REQUESTS FOR ORDER, ORDERS TO SHOW CAUSE AND MOTIONS (a) Calendaring of Hearings. Requests for orders, motions and orders to show cause are calendared for hearing in the department to which the case has been assigned for all purposes. Each department hears requests for order and motions one day per week. A hearing date will be assigned when the moving papers are accepted for filing by the court clerk. (b) Hearing Duration and Scheduling. When a hearing will occur depends on the number, complexity, and statutory priority of the matters on calendar on a given date. The judicial officer will ask for a time estimate at the first appearance of the matter. In general, if one of the attorneys or parties believes a hearing, including the review of the moving papers, will take more than twenty minutes, the judicial officer will determine whether the matter will be heard on the date first set or reset to a further hearing date. (c) Rescheduling for Lack of Timely Service. If a request for order cannot be timely served, the moving party may request a new hearing date by filing an FL-306 Request to Reschedule Hearing. (d) Notice if Hearing Cannot Proceed. Parties must notify the Family Law Clerk as soon as possible if the hearing cannot proceed because the request for order was not served. (e) Matters Taken Off Calendar. After the motion or request for order is served, the matter cannot be taken off calendar without the agreement of all parties in the case. Rule 19.14 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:6.1-2:6.4] RULE 19.15 PRE-HEARING SETTLEMENT EFFORTS (a) Purpose. The parties and their counsel must be mindful of the fact that the court’s staff spends time collecting and organizing pleadings and files and that judicial officers spend time reading the pleadings bearing on the dispute presented. A failure of the parties to meet and confer to discuss settlement before the scheduled hearing wastes the time and scarce resources of the parties and the courts. (b) Good-Faith Pre-Hearing Settlement Efforts. Counsel for the parties must meet and confer in good faith at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing to determine how the matter in dispute may be resolved. For this purpose, parties and counsel may meet and confer in person, by telephone, or by video conference. The parties must make a good-faith effort to identify and resolve issues where possible. Sanctions may be imposed upon one or both parties for failure to participate in good-faith pre-hearing settlement efforts. (c) Domestic Violence Cases. The requirements to participate in pre-hearing settlement efforts as provided under this section do not apply to cases involving domestic violence. Rule 19.15 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:8.6] RULE 19.16 MEET AND CONFERS (a) Requirements to Meet and Confer in Good Faith. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 5.98, all parties and all attorneys are required to meet and confer to resolve as many issues as possible prior to a hearing on a request for order, except for cases involving domestic violence. This meeting shall be conducted either in-person, telephonically, or through a video-conferencing platform. This meet and confer shall include discussing all issues, which shall encompass agreeing and/or narrowing areas of disagreement as to the various inputs relevant to any required calculations/submittals. This requirement does not apply to cases involving domestic violence in which an active restraining order exists and the protected party is self-represented. Under no circumstances may a restrained party communicate directly with a protected party under the guise of complying with any meet and confer requirement. (b) Exchange of Documents During Meet and Confer. The parties are required to exchange all documentary evidence (other than rebuttal or impeachment documents) that will be relied upon to prove any fact. The court may decline to consider documents that were not exchanged before the hearing or were untimely filed. (c) Sanctions for Failure to Meet and Confer. Failure to meet and confer may result in the imposition of sanctions against any party who fails to participate in a meaningful meet and confer. Rule 19.16 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [No former rule.] RULE 19.17 SETTLEMENTS If the case settles prior to the date of trial or hearing, counsel or the parties if self-represented must notify the clerk of the court where the matter is assigned in writing as soon as possible, so that pending matters can be removed from calendar and other matters can be set. If the parties appear at trial, the court must be notified at the earliest time that the matter is settled, so that it can be taken off calendar, or heard as an uncontested matter. Notification may be made by email to the assigned department in accordance with rule 19.10, Designated Department Email Addresses. Rule 19.17 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:14] RULE 19.18 MEDIATION Mediation is required by California state law when parents disagree about child custody or parenting time when the issue is before the court. Mediation is a process of assisting parents in developing a parenting plan and is a neutral setting for discussing arrangements for children, and to reduce acrimony and provide guidelines for parenting. Whenever a case involves unresolved issues over parental responsibilities or access to children, and the parties have not attended mediation within the past 120 days, the parties must attend mediation with the Family Court Services section of the Superior Court of the County of San Luis Obispo prior to the hearing or trial date. The mediator will help the parties fashion a parenting plan that services the best interests of the children. Mediation appointments are available through Family Court Services and only to parties who have a pending hearing or trial involving child custody or parenting time issues. Mediation shall be ordered by the court prior to the first hearing on the matter, except in cases under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act as provided in rule 19.35(b). Rule 19.18 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 3:1] RULE 19.19 PROOF OF SERVICE Proof of service should be filed with the clerk’s office prior to the hearing. The matter may be removed from calendar for failure to timely file proof of service. If a responding party fails to appear at a hearing, the moving party must immediately submit proof of timely service to the court; otherwise, the matter may be taken off calendar. Rule 19.19 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [LR 19.02] RULE 19.20 CONTINUANCES (a) Continuances Disfavored. Due to the impacted court calendars, the court has a strong interest in adhering to scheduled dates. Changes in dates are generally disfavored absent a showing of good cause. Accordingly, the court will address continuances pursuant to these guidelines: (b) Requests for Order and Trial Setting Conferences. Only one (1) request for continuance will generally be granted. A continuance may be requested by email or by filing and serving FL-306 Request to Reschedule Hearing, FL- 307 Request to Reschedule Hearing Involving Temporary Emergency (Ex Parte) Orders, or FL-308 Agreement and Order to Reschedule Hearing. If a request for order cannot be served timely, see Rule 19.14 regarding rescheduling and notice requirements. Continuances by email may be requested at any time prior to, but no later than, the day before the hearing at 3:00 p.m. Email continuances will be granted only if both parties agree to the continuance, as confirmed either by (1) a conjoint email to the court's clerk with confirmed receipt [see rule 19.10, Designated Department Email Addresses] or (2) a signed stipulation. After one (1) continuance, appearances by both sides will be required to request any further continuance and will require a showing of good cause. (c) Trials, Settlement Conferences, and Specially Set Matters. Trials, Settlement Conferences, and specially set matter dates set by the court are firm and will rarely be changed. The parties and their counsel must be prepared to proceed with the hearing. Any request, whether by stipulation or motion, to continue these matters must be filed with the clerk's office and must be supported by a sufficiently detailed explanation of the grounds for the requested continuance or extension of time. The court will only continue these matters upon a showing of good cause. If the parties are not prepared to go forward, then the court reserves the option to vacate all pending dates. If more than one matter is ready to proceed on the date and at the time scheduled, the court will decide which case shall proceed first. Rule 19.20 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2.12] RULE 19.21 COURT APPEARANCE (a) Personal Appearances Generally Required Absent Court Order. Court appearances are often most efficiently and effectively conducted in person. Personal appearance at hearings is required, unless provided below, by statute, or order of the court. Remote appearance is the exception, not the norm. The court decides whether to grant a request for remote appearance on a case-by-case basis. (b) Remote Appearances Permitted. Parties and counsel may appear remotely for trial setting conferences, trial readiness conferences, voluntary settlement conferences, and appearances for which permission to appear remotely has been granted. Parties, witnesses, and support persons may appear remotely at domestic violence proceedings pursuant to Family Code § 6308. (c) Appearances at Department of Child Support Services Hearing (“"DCSS”). Parties and counsel shall appear remotely at Department of Child Support Services hearings, unless otherwise ordered. (d) Application for Remote Appearances. A Local Form FL015, Application for Videoconference Appearance and Order must be filed and served at least five (5) court days prior to the hearing. The other party has three (3) court days after filing of the application to object to the request. If the court does not grant the application, the appearance shall be in person. Rule 19.21 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2.4] RULE 19.22 FAILURE TO APPEAR OR TIMELY APPEAR AT HEARING Failure to Appear. (a) Failure of the moving party or attorney to be present at the calendar call for a properly noticed hearing, unless the party or their attorney has notified the court of the reason for their absence, arranged for someone to appear on their behalf, or whose absence has been previously expressly excused by the court, may result in sanctions and the removal of the matter from the calendar. If only the responding party appears, the court may award attorney’s fees and costs to the responding party. (b) In the event the responding party fails to appear at a hearing, the court may, at its discretion, continue the matter to a later date or proceed with the hearing and issue orders based upon the evidence presented by the moving party. The court may award attorney’s fees to the moving party who appears when appropriate. Tardiness. (c) If an attorney or a self-represented party is unable to be present at the time of the calendar call, the court and opposing party must be notified of the reason for the delay at the earliest possible opportunity and when the delayed party’s appearance can be expected. Late or unexcused appearances may be sanctioned. (d) Counsel and the parties are reminded that their principal obligations on days when court appearances are scheduled is to be in court in a timely manner. Valid reasons for not appearing in a timely manner may include appearances in other departments of this court, mandatory appearances in other courts, and medical appointments or emergencies. Events such as depositions, other business or academic appointments, or the like are not valid reasons to fail to appear in court on time. Unexcused or unjustified failures to appear are discourteous, time-consuming, and expensive to the court and the parties. (e) Ongoing conflicts where counsel or a party makes commitments to be in places other than in court will not be tolerated. In those cases, the court may impose sanctions on the party or counsel not appearing in a timely manner or may proceed to hear the matter when it was originally set, whether or not the court receives notice that the party or counsel will be late. Rule 19.22 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:8.4] RULE 19.23 CALLING OF REQUEST FOR ORDER CALENDAR (a) If the attorney or self-represented party informs the court that a hearing may not be necessary because the parties are engaged in meaningful, productive negotiations, then the matter will be dropped to the end of the calendar. If the parties have not settled the matter when the case is called again, it will be heard by the court. (b) If a case is settled after calendar call but before the hearing, the court shall be notified of the agreement. The stipulation will generally be taken ahead of all contested matters by the family law judicial officer. If the parties reduce their agreement to writing, they may pass the agreement to the bailiff or the clerk for the court’s review. If the stipulation is signed and filed, then the parties may leave without waiting for the next calendar call. (c) When a matter is called, counsel or the self-represented party must state their names, identify the party they represent, if applicable, and provide an accurate time estimate for the hearing. (d) Attorneys must be prepared to address the issues raised by the pleadings and efficiently present the facts the court requires to resolve the dispute. Parties and their counsel must not use a hearing as an opportunity to conduct discovery. If depositions or other forms of discovery are needed to prepare for hearing, the court may, in its discretion, continue the matter to facilitate the needs of the parties. The court may enter appropriate temporary orders, subject to adjustment, to cover the period of delay. (e) Matters with a total time estimate exceeding the court’s available time for that day may be continued to a further hearing date. If appropriate, the court may enter temporary orders, subject to adjustment, to cover the period of delay. Rule 19.23 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:8.7] RULE 19.24 PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE AT HEARING ON REQUEST FOR ORDER (a) Counsel and parties must be prepared to present their case based upon pleadings, declarations, and offers of proof. (b) At a request for order hearing, the court will receive live, competent testimony that is relevant and within the scope of the hearing absent a stipulation of the parties or a finding of good cause. If a party seeking to introduce live testimony fails to comply with California Rules of Court, rules 3.1306 or 5.113, Family Code § 217, or Code of Civil Procedure § 1987, then their noncompliance may constitute good cause to deny their request to introduce live testimony. (c) Sensitive or confidential documents may be received by the clerk and returned to the parties at the conclusion of the hearing. When appropriate, the court may order such documents to be maintained in a portion of the file not open to public inspection without a court order. If an individual's social security number is required in a pleading or other paper filed in the public file, only the last four digits of that number may be used. If financial account numbers are required in a pleading or other paper filed in the public file, only the last four digits of these numbers may be used. (d) Parties must exchange all documentary evidence that is to be relied on for proof of any material fact at the hearing except those reserved for true impeachment. Documents, other than those reserved for true impeachment, that are not exchanged and pre-marked as exhibits may not be received into evidence at the hearing at the court’s discretion. If all parties and/or their counsel agree, any documents subpoenaed for a hearing and produced directly to the court may be inspected by the parties before the date scheduled for a hearing. The document inspection must be arranged by the clerk of the department where the matter has been assigned for all purposes. (e) If a witness is subpoenaed to appear at a hearing, counsel and self-represented parties must confer prior to the hearing to determine if a stipulation can be reached as to the substance of the testimony expected from the witness. The witness may then be excused. Third party witnesses will normally be afforded priority scheduling at the time of the hearing. Rule 19.24 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:8.8] RULE 19.25 TIME ESTIMATE (a) Accurate time estimates are important to the parties and the court. Examination of witnesses and the presentation of argument must not be unnecessarily extended. Counsel must focus upon presenting only the information the judicial officer requires to resolve the disputed issues in the motion currently before the court. (b) If the time estimate of the parties is exceeded, the court may terminate the hearing and decide the dispute based upon the state of the record at that time, or continue the matter to another date, or order the matter off calendar. (c) The court may apportion the time allocated to a case between the parties, allowing each party a specific amount of time to present their case. In that event, time spent cross-examining a witness called by a party shall be charged against the party calling the witness. The court may control the nature, extent and manner of cross-examination so as to avoid an unfair use of time in an effort to “run out the clock.” Rule 19.25 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:8.10] RULE 19.26 SELECTION OF TRIAL DATES (a) Selection of Trial Date by Joint At-Issue Memorandum. Any party may obtain a trial date by submitting Local Form FL003, Joint At-Issue Memorandum to the court. Upon service of the proposed Local Form FL003, Joint At-Issue Memorandum on the other party (or counsel if represented), the parties (or counsel, if represented) must meet and confer regarding trial in advance of submitting Local Form FL003, Joint At-Issue Memorandum. If no agreement is reached on three proposed dates for the trial setting conference, then the dates shall be left blank. Upon approval, the court will set and notice a trial setting conference to select a trial date. (b) Selection of Trial Date by Unilateral At-Issue Memorandum. If any party refuses or fails to sign the Local Form FL003, Joint At-Issue Memorandum within fifteen (15) days of service, the initiating party may file the Local Form FL003, Joint At-Issue Memorandum with one signature, together with Local Form FL004, Certificate of Non-Compliance. Sanctions will be imposed against one or both parties if the failure to secure agreement on submitting the Form FL003, Joint At-Issue Memorandum is without substantial justification. (c) Selection of Trial Date Without At-Issue Memorandum. A trial date may also be requested by one or both parties at any appearance. If the parties agree that the case is ready, the court may select a date agreeable to both sides without filing a Local Form FL003, Joint At-Issue Memorandum. Rule 19.26 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:9.2] RULE 19.27 EXCHANGE OF FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS (a) Purpose and Policy. Motions such as a request for orders frequently involve high levels of anxiety and anger. The court’s goal is to provide a cost-effective way to resolve disputes while minimizing anxiety and hostility. The following rules require the parties to exchange basic financial information that provides the basis for a settlement without expensive court intervention. In the event a settlement cannot be reached, the financial information exchanged between the parties may be presented to the court at a contested hearing. If any party fails to obey these rules, they may be required to pay sanctions and the attorney’s fees occasioned by a failure to comply or by the need to continue the hearing. (b) Applicability. For any hearing in which orders for child support, spousal support, family support, or attorney’s fees and costs, including modification, are sought, each party requesting or opposing the orders must serve all necessary and indispensable parties with the following documents concurrent with their FL-300 Request for Order or FL-320 Responsive Declaration to Request for Order. This rule does not require compliance at the time of filing a request or response under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act. The court may order compliance with this rule at any subsequent noticed hearing. Each party shall prepare and file a declaration compliant with subsection (g) of this rule and a proof of service verifying the date of service of the rule 19.27 documents with the court prior to the day of the hearing. (c) Required Exchange – Individual Income and Financial Documentation. The moving and responding parties must exchange: (1) A copy of all payroll statements, paycheck stubs and/or evidence of all self-employment income received for last 180 days. If a party receives paycheck stubs, then they shall produce complete paycheck stubs showing all deductions. (2) A copy of the two most recent individual state and federal income tax returns, and returns filed in any other jurisdiction, including all attachments, schedules, worksheets, W-2 forms, 1099 forms and amendments. (3) A current FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration. (4) If a party is self-employed, a profit and loss statement, balance sheet, quarterly sales tax report and similar documentation evidencing income received or similar documentation for income received from all sources for the preceding twelve (12) months for any business operated by the party. (5) A complete copy of each statement issued by any financial or banking institution for any business or personal account, including but not limited to, checking, saving, credit union accounts, and other deposit accounts held in the name of a party, the name of a party’s business, and accounts to which a party is a signatory during the preceding twelve (12) months. This subsection does not require the exchange of credit card statements and investment account statements, although the court may require their exchange if good cause is shown. (6) Peer-to-Peer and Digital Payment Platforms. A copy of any and all statements and transaction records for the preceding twelve (12) months for any peer-to-peer or digital payment platform or service through which the party sends, receives, transfers, or stores funds, including, as of the effective date of this rule, platforms such as Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and Apple Cash; these examples are illustrative only and do not limit the scope of this subsection. (7) Cryptocurrency and Digital Asset Platforms. A copy of any and all statements, account summaries, and transaction records for the preceding twelve (12) months for any cryptocurrency, digital asset, blockchain-based asset, token, or similar digital financial asset platform, exchange, wallet, brokerage, or service through which the party holds, controls, transfers, trades, stakes, mines, or otherwise acquires such assets, including, as of the effective date of this rule, platforms such as Coinbase, Crypto.com, Kraken, and PayPal Crypto; these examples are illustrative only and do not limit the scope of this subsection. (d) Business and Corporate Documentation. If a party has at least a twenty-five percent (25%) ownership interest in a business entity that files tax returns, then that party must additionally provide: (1) Copies of the two most current corporate tax returns filed in any jurisdiction, including all schedules, worksheets, attachments, forms and amendments. (2) Copies of all corporate bank statements for the preceding twelve (12) months. (3) Copies of the most recent profit and loss statement, balance sheet, quarterly sales tax reports and similar documentation evidencing income received from all sources for the preceding twelve (12) months for any business operated by the party. (4) Peer-to-Peer and Digital Payment Platforms. A copy of any and all statements and transaction records for the preceding twelve (12) months for any peer-to-peer or digital payment platform or service through which the corporation or business sends, receives, transfers, or stores funds, including, as of the effective date of this rule, platforms such as Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and Apple Cash; these examples are illustrative only and do not limit the scope of this subsection. (e) Cryptocurrency and Digital Asset Platforms. A copy of any and all statements, account summaries, and transaction records for the preceding twelve (12) months for any cryptocurrency, digital asset, blockchain-based asset, token, or similar digital financial asset platform, exchange, wallet, brokerage, or service through which the corporation or business holds, controls, transfers, trades, stakes, mines, or otherwise acquires such assets, including, as of the effective date of this rule, platforms such as Coinbase, Crypto.com, Kraken, and PayPal Crypto; these examples are illustrative only and do not limit the scope of this subsection. (f) Service of Rule on Unrepresented Party: The moving party must serve a copy of this rule on any unrepresented party. (g) Duty to Secure Documents; Sanctions: Each party must take whatever steps are necessary to secure the documents listed above. Non-compliance and/or bad faith delays are not an option and will normally be sanctioned. (h) Declaration of Compliance and Explanation of Noncompliance: The rule 19.27 documents must be served with a declaration signed by the party identifying each document being produced and the dates of the documents. If a party does not timely produce any of the required documents, the noncomplying party must state what documents were not produced, why they were not produced, what efforts are being made to obtain them, when they will be available, if known, and the identity and location of the entity who has them. Optional Local Form FL017 “Declaration Pursuant to San Luis Obispo County Local Rules, rule 19.27” may be used for this purpose. (i) Continuances and Supplemental Compliance: Except as provided in subsection (j) and unless ordered by the court, parties are not required to supplement their rule 19.27 documents when their hearing is continued. Parties may request an order for supplemental compliance with rule 19.27 at any hearing for support or attorney’s fees and costs. Parties may obtain a Family Centered Case Resolution Conference date for supplemental rule 19.27 compliance by serving and filing a Local Form FL014 Request for Status or Family Centered Case Resolution Conference. (j) Income and Expense Declaration Updates: If any facts have changed, or more than ninety days have passed, since the filing of their last FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration, each party shall serve and file a current FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration at least five (5) days before any hearing regarding spousal support, child support, or attorney fees and costs. (k) Department of Child Support Services Matters: On motions initiated by the Department of Child Support Services, the parties must comply with rule 19.27 upon demand and provide proof of service of the documents upon all parties. Compliance is not necessary where welfare benefits are being expended on behalf of the child or disclosure is otherwise prohibited by Family Code § 17212, in which case compliance will be at the court’s discretion. Rule 19.27 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:8.2] RULE 19.28 PRE-TRIAL MANAGEMENT ORDERS (a) Applicability. All trials and long-cause hearings (as defined by California Rules of Court, rule 5.393(a)(1)-(2)) shall be subject to the following pre-trial management orders, which may be modified at the court’s discretion, unless the court designates a particular matter as not subject to pre-trial management pursuant to subsection (g) of this rule. Unless otherwise ordered, the requirements and deadlines set forth in this rule apply as default pre-trial management orders. Any case-specific order controls only as to the subject addressed in that order, and all other requirements and deadlines of this rule remain in effect unless otherwise ordered. (b) Definition. For purposes of this rule, “scheduled proceeding” means the date and time set for trial or long-cause hearing in the matter. (c) No later than twenty-one (21) Court Days Before the Scheduled Proceeding. Rule 19.27 Compliance: If financial matters are at issue including child support, spousal support, attorney’s fees, payment of debts, calculation and/or payment of arrearages, and/or ability to pay sanctions, the parties must comply with rule 19.27. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the court drawing an adverse inference against the noncomplying party. (1) Rule 19.27 Compliance Due Date: No later than twenty-one (21) days before the scheduled proceeding, the parties shall serve documents in compliance with rule 19.27 and file a declaration of compliance with the court. (2) Income and Expense Declaration: The parties shall file and serve a current and complete FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration. “Current” is defined as being completed within the last ninety (90) days before the scheduled proceeding. (3) Income and Expense Declaration Contents: The FL-150 Income and Expense Declarations shall include all supporting schedules and payroll documentation, including all most recent pay stubs showing current year-to-date income from all employers in the current year, and all W2s and/or 1099s from the previous tax year. If the prior year’s tax forms are not available, the party shall submit the final pay stub for the prior year showing year-to-date income. Self-employed parties shall provide all income documentation required under rule 19.27. (d) No later than fifteen (15) Court Days Before the Scheduled Proceeding. (1) Discovery and Trial Preparation: The parties shall complete all discovery and basic trial preparation. A continuance will rarely be granted for the purpose of completing discovery. [See California Rules of Court, rule 3.1332.] (2) Disclosures: If required by law, the parties shall ensure the preliminary and final declarations of disclosure required by Family Code § 2103 - § 2106 have been served, and that form FL-141 Declaration Regarding Service of Declaration of Disclosure and Income and Expense Declaration has been served and filed. (3) Case Conference: The parties shall participate in a mandatory case conference. This conference is held outside the presence of the court and shall be a face-to-face meeting, either in-person or by remote appearance. The case conference is mandatory. The case conference must be completed at least ten (10) court days before the scheduled proceeding. i. Expert Opinion on the Same Issue: If experts designated by opposing parties are expected to offer opinion testimony on the same issue, counsel shall, no later than the Case Conference, meet and confer regarding the areas of agreement and disagreement, exchange the experts’ reports or summaries to the extent not already exchanged under applicable law, and be prepared to advise the court whether any stipulation or joint summary of disputed expert issues can be presented. (4) Witness Lists and Witnesses: The parties or their counsel must exchange witness lists in writing. i. Witness List Due Date: Witness lists shall be served and filed no later than fifteen (15) court days before the scheduled proceeding, or as ordered by the court. ii. Extension of Witness List Deadline. The court may extend the date for exchange of witness lists. No stipulation of the parties or counsel shall be effective to modify the deadline. iii. Optional Witness List Form: FL-321 Witness List may be used for the witness list. iv. Witness List Contents: Witness lists must include the following information: 1. Witness’s name. 2. Witness’s contact information. 3. Brief summary of the witness’ expected testimony. a. If the witness will testify as an expert witness, attach a copy of the expert’s resume and any written report prepared by that witness. 4. A time estimate for the witness’s direct testimony. 5. A designation if the witness will testify by remote appearance. a. Witnesses are only allowed to testify by remote appearance if they are outside the limits of San Luis Obispo County and obtain approval of the court to testify remotely. b. Witnesses who testify by remote appearance must: i. Testify in a quiet location. ii. Testify on a laptop or desktop computer with a stable internet connection; a smartphone or tablet is not acceptable. iii. Have hard copy printouts of all exhibits to which they will be testifying. c. Parties who anticipate a witness appearing by remote appearance must notify the other party prior to the Trial Readiness Conference. (5) Exhibit Lists and Exhibits: i. Exhibit List Due Date: Exhibit lists and exhibits shall be served and filed no later than fifteen (15) court days before the scheduled proceeding, except as ordered by the court. ii. Exhibit List: Each side must prepare an Exhibit List that briefly describes each exhibit that they may offer. 1. Exhibit List Form: The use of Local Form FL019 Exhibit List is mandatory. 2. Exhibit List Email Submission: Prior to the scheduled proceeding, each party or counsel shall email an editable Word document version of their Local Form FL019 Exhibit List to the clerk of the scheduled proceeding department, using the department email address specified in rule 19.10, Designated Department Email Addresses. 3. Summary Page: Exhibits comprised of several pages of financial data shall have a summary page that explains what is to be established by the exhibit. 4. Identification: Unless otherwise directed by the court, Petitioner shall label their exhibits beginning with P-1; Respondent shall label their exhibits beginning with R-1; Minor’s Counsel shall label their exhibits beginning with M-1; DCSS shall label their exhibits beginning with D-1; Other Parent shall label their exhibits beginning with O-1; other parties shall label their exhibits beginning with X-1. 5. Rebuttal: Exhibits that are intended in good faith to be used only as impeachment are exempt from review and exchange. 6. Audio and Video Files: Each file containing audio or video material should, where practicable, be provided to the court on a separately labeled device (i.e., USB, flash drive), although multiple files may be provided on a single device if clearly identified. Filenames should include sufficient neutral descriptive information to identify the exhibit, for example, “Exhibit R-124 Video of Respondent during 12/22/20xx incident.” The file name must be identified when offered into evidence. The party offering the audio or video material must provide equipment suitable for playing the material for the court’s consideration. Parties must comply with California Rules of Court, rule 2.1040 regarding providing a transcript of the electronic recording. iii. Consequence of Noncompliance: Exhibits not served and filed in compliance with this rule may not be considered and/or admitted by the court. (e) No later than ten (10) Court Days Before the Scheduled Proceeding. (1) Case Conference: i. Case Conference Due Date: No later than ten (10) days prior to the scheduled proceeding, the parties shall complete the case conference required by subsection (d)(3). This component is mandatory, and compliance will not be excused, even if some settlement discussions occurred earlier in the case or prospects for settlement seem poor. The court will encourage cooperation by considering the sanction provisions of Family Code § 271. All settlement options must be thoroughly explored and methods of efficiently resolving disputed issues must be discussed. ii. Case Conference Location: In the event the parties are unable to agree upon a location for the Case Conference, and there is a valid reason for objecting to meeting at the default location of the courthouse where the case is assigned, the court shall set the location on ex parte application. iii. Meaningful Meet and Confer: A meaningful meet and confer settlement conference is one where the parties and their attorneys, if represented, attend, devote their full attention to the meeting, and legitimately discuss which issues may be resolved without trial. Failure to meet this requirement may result in monetary sanctions against the noncomplying individual(s). During the meet and confer, the parties and/or their attorney must discuss, at a minimum, the issues to be litigated at trial, the order of presentation of evidence, the testimony of any witnesses, and any agreed-upon facts or issues of law. The parties and/or their attorney must also discuss the introduction of admissible evidence so as to eliminate irrelevant and cumulative evidence. iv. Exhibits: Having exchanged exhibit lists and exhibits, the parties shall stipulate to the admission of, and foundation for, as many of the trial exhibits as possible. The parties may submit these stipulations in writing to the court or advise the court of them orally upon the commencement of the scheduled proceeding. The parties must stipulate to the foundation for business records of health care providers, financial institutions, school records and for expert reports unless there is a valid reason to question their authenticity. v. Property Statement: If the division of the estate is at issue, at the Case Conference, each counsel or self-represented parties must prepare a property statement that lists each asset, debt, claim for reimbursement and charge. The parties must state their contention as to the character of the property, its value, and proposal for division. A property division software report, FL-160 Property Declarations, or the FL-001 Schedule of Property “Fredman Form” must be used. The court may, in its discretion, order counsel or self-represented parties to submit a joint property statement to the court. vi. vi. Property Statement Filing Deadline: The property statement shall be filed by each party no later than two (2) days prior to the scheduled proceeding. (f) No later than five (5) Court Days Before the Scheduled Proceeding. (1) Trial Brief: i. Applicability and Contents: If a trial brief is required by California Rules of Court, court order, or this rule, it shall comply with California Rules of Court, rule 5.394, and shall also: 1. Specify the time, date and duration of the case conference, or the reason why the case conference did not take place. 2. Identify issues that have been resolved via settlement. 3. Identify all issues that remain in dispute, summarize the facts relating to each issue and cite any applicable legal authority. 4. Give an updated time estimate for trial. 5. Provide any other information that will be helpful to the court in managing the trial calendar. ii. Trial Brief Due Date: No later than five (5) court days before the scheduled proceeding, each party shall serve and file any required trial brief. (2) Guideline Support Calculations: i. Support: If child support or temporary spousal support is at issue, each party shall serve and file a computer-generated report setting forth their contention of guideline support. Any software used for generating said report shall be certified by the Judicial Council under California Rules of Court, rule 5.275. ii. Retroactivity Periods: Where retroactivity is sought and income or other relevant factors vary during the retroactivity period in question, separate guideline support calculations shall be provided for each such time period, with appropriate labels or other identification to assist the court and the parties. (3) Spousal Support Declaration: If spousal support is at issue, the parties shall serve and file the FL-157 Spousal or Domestic Partner Support Declaration Attachment, with information regarding the marital standard of living and each of the Family Code § 4320 factors, no later than five (5) court days before the scheduled proceeding. (g) Cases Not Subject to Pretrial Management. (1) Applicability: In cases in which the court orders that the pre-trial management provisions of this rule shall not apply, the parties, or if represented, their counsel shall: a. On the day of the scheduled proceeding, exchange exhibits and a fully completed mandatory Local Form FL019 “Exhibit List” showing the number and brief description of all documentary evidence that a party intends to present, other than evidence intended solely for impeachment, and provide a copy of those exhibits to the court for note taking. (2) Required Filings: At least 2 court days prior to the scheduled proceeding, serve and file: a. Trial Brief: A trial brief identifying all issues in dispute, summarizing the facts relating to each issue and citing any applicable legal authority. b. Support Calculation: A computer-generated report setting forth the party’s contention of guideline support. c. Property Statement: A schedule of community and separate property of the parties showing each party’s contention as to the character of the property, its value, and proposal for division. d. Income and Expense Declaration: A current and complete FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration. “Current” is defined as being completed within the last ninety (90) days before the scheduled proceeding. Rule 19.28 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:10] RULE 19.29 BIFURCATED TRIALS A request to set a bifurcated matter for trial must be made on Form FL-315, Application for Separate Trial as part of a Form FL-300, Request for Order. If a bifurcated trial has already been completed on a matter entitled to statutory priority, any party may request a trial date for the remaining issues by filing Local Form FL003, Joint At-Issue Memorandum. Rule 19.29 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2.11] RULE 19.30 NON-APPEARANCE STATUS REVIEWS The court is required to set a status conference in each newly filed family law matter (other than Petitions for Custody and Support, Domestic Violence Prevention Act applications, and Department of Child Support Services matters). A status conference is referred to as a Non-Appearance Status Review (NASR) in San Luis Obispo County. The first NASR is scheduled at the time the case is filed and is approximately six (6) months from the date of filing. The NASR is designed to assist the parties in moving the case toward disposition. It is not the trial or other hearing about the issues in the case. Instead, the court will review the status of the case by solely reviewing the record and indicate in writing to the parties the next step in the process to obtaining a judgment in their case. Parties and/or counsel shall not appear at the date and time in which the NASR is set, as the court will review the file outside of a hearing. The court is required to schedule up to three (3) NASR, each approximately six (6) months apart, unless a judgment is entered in the meantime. Once a judgment is entered, there is no further need for a NASR, and any pending NASR will be removed from the calendar. As provided in California Rules of Court, rule 5.83, in deciding whether a case is progressing in an effective and timely manner, the court should consider procedural milestones, including the following: (a) A proof of service of summons and petition should be filed within sixty (60) days of case initiation; (b) If no response has been filed, and the parties have not agreed on an extension of time to respond, a request to enter default should be submitted within sixty (60) days after the date the response was due; (c) The petitioner's preliminary declaration of disclosure should be served within sixty (60) days of the filing of the petition; (d) When a default has been entered, a judgment should be submitted within sixty (60) days of the entry of default; (e) Whether a trial date has been requested or scheduled; and (f) When the parties have notified the court that they are actively negotiating or mediating their case, a written agreement for judgment is submitted within six months of the date the petition was filed, or a request for trial date is submitted. Rule 19.30 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [No former rule.] RULE 19.31 PREPARATION OF ORDERS & JUDGMENTS (a) All counsel and parties shall comply with California Rules of Court, rules 3.1590 or 5.125, as appropriate. The attorney or party designated by the court to prepare an order/judgment after a hearing must do so within ten (10) days following the hearing. Forms approved by the Judicial Council must be used when they apply to the proceedings and are designated by the Judicial Council for mandatory use. The parties and counsel should keep in mind that if there is a dispute about the ruling or stipulation, and a court reporter was present at the time of the hearing, then lodging the transcript with the court may be necessary in order to resolve the disputes. When a filed, endorsed copy of the order/judgment is returned by the court to the submitting party, a copy must be served on all parties or their counsel. (b) Parties and counsel may wish to refer to Judicial Branch of California’s California Courts Self-Help Guide for assistance in understanding the documents and process for the submission of a judgment. Self-represented parties may seek the assistance of the Family Law Facilitator’s office in preparing a judgment for submission to the court. Rule 19.31 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2.7; 2:16] RULE 19.32 INCORPORATION OF MARITAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT INTO JUDGMENT No marital settlement agreement shall be approved by the court or incorporated by reference in a judgment unless: (a) The judgment refers to the settlement agreement or a separate stipulation signed and filed by the self-represented parties or the attorneys of represented parties provides that the agreement may be presented for court approval and incorporation into the judgment. (b) If both parties are represented by counsel, the marital settlement agreement shall be signed by both attorneys and the parties. (c) If only one party is represented by counsel, the marital settlement agreement shall include an acknowledgment by the self-represented party that they have been advised to consult an attorney regarding the agreement. If neither party is represented by counsel, the marital settlement agreement shall be signed by both parties, and the parties’ signatures on marital settlement agreement must be notarized. Rule 19.32 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 2:7.2] RULE 19.33 SURROGACY JUDGMENT CHECKLIST When filing a Parentage Judgment via surrogacy contract pursuant to California Family Code §§ 7620 and 7960 et. seq., the submitting party must: (a) Complete, sign and file a Local Form FL016, Surrogacy Judgment Checklist; (b) File all related documents in the order set forth in the Local Form FL016, Surrogacy Judgment Checklist in the exact order of the checklist; and (c) Identify and name all filed documents exactly as they are listed in the Local Form FL016, Surrogacy Judgment Checklist. Rule 19.33 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [LR 19.22] RULE 19.34 MATTERS REQUIRING FAMILY COURT SERVICES MEDIATION Whenever a case involves unresolved issues over parental responsibilities or access to children, and the parties have not attended mediation within the past 120 days, the parties must attend mediation with the Family Court Services section of the Superior Court of the County of San Luis Obispo prior to the hearing date. The mediator will help the parties fashion a parenting plan that services the best interests of the children. Rule 19.34 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 3:1] RULE 19.35 FAMILY COURT SERVICES MEDIATION (a) Mediation must occur prior to the court conducting a hearing on the contested custodial matter, although the court may make temporary orders pending the contested hearing. If there has been mediation prior to an initial hearing for a temporary order, the court may also require that the parties attend mediation prior to a trial. There must also be another mediation session before any court hearing for a modification of parenting orders after the judgment. (b) When a request for child custody and/or visitation orders are made in a request for domestic violence restraining order, the court does not set mediation unless and until the restraining order after hearing is granted. (c) Before the parties attend mediation, they must review the Mediation Orientation materials. The Mediation Orientation materials will provide an overview about what to expect in mediation, confidentiality limitations, a sample parenting plan, and other materials that are useful to parties who are working on creating a parenting agreement. Parties must also complete the Mediation Intake Form and return it to Family Court Services prior to the scheduled mediation by email to slo-fcssec@slo.courts.ca.gov or by fax to (805) 706-0210. (d) Mediations in San Luis Obispo County are conducted over the phone and are confidential. Audio and video recordings are not permitted and no reference (orally or in pleadings) to discussions in mediation may be mentioned in court, nor shall any pleading be filed referring to mediation other than the fact that it was or was not scheduled. There shall be no reference that any person or attorney signed or did not sign a proposed parenting plan. (e) Parties seeking mediation services may contact Family Court Services by phone at (805) 706-3608 or by email at slo-fcssec@slo.courts.ca.gov. Rule 19.35 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 3:1] RULE 19.36 SETTING A MATTER FOR MEDIATION (a) When counsel or a self-represented party files the necessary paperwork for setting a hearing or trial involving custody or visitation issues, the date, time, and place shall be noted on the moving paper by the Family Law Clerk’s Office. (b) At the time of hearing, if a matter has not been to mediation, the court will refer the parties to mediation prior to having a contested hearing. If there is an open mediation appointment on the day of the hearing, the court may order the parties to attend mediation that date. The court has the discretion to make interim orders pending mediation. (c) The assignment of any particular case to one of the mediators will be solely at the discretion of the supervisor of Family Court Services. (d) If a party to a new or previously mediated matter objects to being assigned to a particular mediator, said party or their counsel shall contact the Family Court Services to give notice of the objection or request not to be assigned to a particular mediator. The matter will be resolved on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Family Court Services supervisor. (e) If an interpreter is required to conduct mediation, the party needing interpretation must notify Family Court Services before the scheduled mediation. (f) If one of the parents is incarcerated, the moving party must notify Family Court Services, who will arrange for a telephone mediation. Rule 19.36 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 3.2] RULE 19.37 MEDIATION PROCESS (a) Ex Parte Communications. Absent a stipulation to the contrary, there shall be no ex parte communication between the attorneys for either party or minor’s counsel and the mediator, or between the mediation and the court, except with regard to scheduling mediation appointments. No attorney shall initiate oral communication pertaining to the merits of the case with the mediator without first providing all parties and any attorney of record for the child an opportunity to be present. No attorney or party to the action shall provide the mediator with documents pertaining to the case, excluding the Mediation Intake Form without first providing the other side and any attorney of record for the child a copy of the document. (b) Premises Restrictions. If mediation is conducted in-person, individuals associated with the parties who are not authorized by the mediator to participate in mediation shall not be on Family Court Services’ premises nor in the vicinity of those premises before, after, or during the mediation appointment unless previously authorized by the mediator or supervisor of Family Court Services. This includes spouses, parents and significant others. This section does not apply to support persons allowed by Family Code § 6303. (c) Mediation Participants. Mediation sessions are to be conducted with only the parties. Children, attorneys, current spouses, family members, or partners are not permitted to attend or participate in the mediation. This section does not apply to support persons allowed by Family Code § 6303. (d) Domestic Violence Cases. As provided in Family Code § 3181 and § 6303, in all cases involving allegations of domestic violence, the mediator must meet with the parties separately. Additionally, a support person may be present, but they may not participate in the mediation process. (e) Structure of Mediation Session. The mediator shall meet with the parties separately or together in a joint session in order to isolate the points of agreement and disagreement in an effort to settle the unresolved issues. (f) Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting. The manner in which the session is conducted shall be at the discretion of the mediator. The proceedings shall be confidential with all communications being privileged except as required in Penal Code § 11164 through and including § 11174.1 (Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act) for mandatory reporting of child abuse. The mediator shall advise the parties of this provision before mediation begins. (g) Complaints and Requests for Change of Mediator. Requests for change of mediators or concerns about general problems relating to mediation shall be addressed in writing to the Family Court Servies supervisor. If the grievance is about the supervisor of Family Court Services, the complaint shall be addressed in writing to the Administrative Office of the Superior Court of the County of San Luis Obispo. The complaint will be reviewed, along with the case file, and discussed with the mediator or supervisor who is the subject of the complaint. A written response will be sent by the court to the person filing the complaint. If either the complainant or mediator is not satisfied with the action taken in connection with the complaint, a party may request a review by the Family Law judicial team leader. Rule 19.37 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 3:3] RULE 19.38 MEDIATION ORDERS (a) Signed Parenting Plan Stipulations and Orders Following Mediation. Stipulations and proposed orders which have been signed by both parties and their counsel shall be presented for signature to the assigned Family Law judicial officer. (b) Unsigned Parenting Plan Stipulations and Order Following Mediation. The parties and respective attorneys, if represented, shall be notified that the stipulation is ready for signature. Family Court Services shall hold the stipulation for ten (10) days or may send the stipulation to counsel or the parties by facsimile transmission or email. If an attorney is not authorized to sign the stipulation, the attorney shall notify Family Court Services. If the attorney or a self-represented party has not signed the stipulation within that period, Family Court Services shall report to the court that no agreement has been reached. The assigned Family Law judicial officer has the discretion to approve the signed stipulation after the ten (10) day period. Rule 19.38 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [P&PM 3:4] RULE 19.39 CUSTODY EVALUATIONS (a) Authority and Scope. The Superior Court of the County of San Luis Obispo adopts this rule pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 5.220. This rule may be modified by the Superior Court and published pursuant to the California Rules of Court. (b) Notice of Alternative Dispute Resolution. In all cases, prior to or concurrent with the signing of an order under this section, the parties will be informed that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is an option to litigation. (c) Peremptory Challenges and Objections. A peremptory challenge of a Family Court Services staff member is not allowed. However, if a private evaluator is appointed and one of the parties wants to challenge the appointment, they must make the challenge at the earliest opportunity. If the appointment is made in open court, any challenge must be made at that time. The challenge may be made in a responsive declaration to an application for such an order through written objection. The parties or the court may request that an objection may be made in a letter to the court within seven calendar days after receiving notice of the assigned custody evaluator. One peremptory challenge is allowed per party (using the standards of Code of Civil Procedure § 170.6); challenges for cause are not limited. (d) Withdrawal of Evaluator. Any evaluator appointed, whether a court employee or private evaluator may petition the court to withdraw from the case for cause, which may include, but is not necessarily limited to conflict of interest, time constraints or health reasons. The evaluator’s request to withdraw shall be served on all parties prior to filing any request to withdraw with the court. An evaluator should expect to complete the evaluation within ninety (90) days of receipt of the order of appointment. (e) Ex parte communications: Ex parte communications are not permitted. This means that no party, attorney, or self-represented party may communicate privately with the evaluator. All communications with the evaluator must be in writing and shared with all parties or their attorneys, if represented, except for communications solely to schedule an appointment or communications that occur during a scheduled appointment. (f) Complaints Regarding Evaluators. Any complaints about Family Court Services evaluators shall be addressed in writing to the Family Court Services supervisor. If the grievance is about the Family Court Services supervisor, the complaint shall be addressed in writing to the Administrative Office of Superior Court of the County of San Luis Obispo. The complaint will be reviewed, along with the case file, and discussed with the evaluator or supervisor who is the subject of the complaint. A written response will be sent by the court to the person filing the complaint. If either the complainant, the evaluator, or supervisor is not satisfied with the action taken in connection with the complaint, it may be brought to the attention of the Family Law Supervising Judge. (g) Digital Evidence. If it is necessary for the Family Court Services evaluator to review audio files or video recordings as part of the evaluation, or if the court has ordered materials for inclusion in the evaluation, parties must comply with the Family Court Services’ Digital Evidence Policy. Rule 19.39 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [LR 19.05] RULE 19.40 EVIDENCE CODE 730 AND CCP 2032 EVALUATIONS If the evaluation is pursuant to Evidence Code § 730 or Code of Civil Procedure § 2032, the evaluation must be filed in the confidential court file. The report must include a FL-328 Notice Regarding Confidentiality of Child Custody Evaluation Report Under Family Code § 3111 or a local form adopted by the court to advise of the confidential nature of the contents. In addition, the report must be served on the attorneys for the parties or the parties if they are self-represented, prior to submission to the court. The court’s policy is that the parties and counsel should exercise restraint and caution in disseminating this information to others. If the parties and/or the minor child(ren) are in mental health therapy, the report may be released to their therapist. This report may be considered by the court and may be received in evidence upon stipulation of all interested parties. If the report is not stipulated into evidence, the child custody evaluator must be available to testify at the request of any party in order for the report to be considered by the court. Rule 19.40 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [LR 19.07] RULE 19.41 CONFIDENTIALITY OF CHILD WELFARE RECORDS (a) Any Juvenile Case File being submitted to the Family Law or Probate Court must comply with Welfare and Institutions Code, § 827 and § 10850, California Rules of Court, rule 5.552, and/or Penal Code § 11167.5 and must be maintained solely in the confidential portion of the court file. “Juvenile Case File” records includes, but is not limited to, court documents, orders, reports or written statements by social workers, probation officers, child protective investigators and public agency personnel involved in investigating a suspected case of neglect or abuse concerning a child coming within the Welfare and Institutions Code § 300. JV-200 Custody Order – Juvenile – Final Order is not made confidential by this rule. (b) Local Form FL018 Notice Regarding Confidentiality of Child Welfare Records Under Welfare and Institutions Code, § 827 must be attached as the first page of all Juvenile Case File records submitted to the court for the records to be accepted by the clerk and to be placed in the confidential portion of the file. Rule 19.41 adopted effective July 1, 2026. [No former rule.] RULE 19.42 APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL FOR MINORS Nothing in these rules prohibit a court-appointed evaluator from recommending to the court that counsel be appointed to represent the minor child. The recommendation must be made to the assigned Family Law judicial officer with copies of the transmittal letter to each of the attorneys for the parties, or to the parties if they are self-represented. All attorneys appointed pursuant to FC3151 who submit billings to the Court are required to provide copies of the billings to the parties each time the Court is billed for services. Billings to the Court must include a statement indicating that the parties have been provided copies. (Amended 1/1/11) [LR 19.10] RULE 19.43 COMPLAINT ABOUT COUNSEL APPOINTED TO REPRESENT A MINOR CHILD In a family law proceeding in which the Court appointed counsel for a minor child, any party, counsel for any party or the minor child may lodge a complaint about the performance of the appointed counsel. Complaints will not be received from non-parties. The complaint must be in writing. The complaint must state the case name, the file number, the name of the judicial officer to whom the case was assigned and must be dated. The complaint must specifically state the facts upon which the complaint about the performance of appointed counsel is based. The complaint must be lodged with the court by delivering it to the clerk of the court who must hand deliver it to the Supervising Judge of the Family Law Division. The complaint must be served by mail upon all parties or their counsel and upon minor’s counsel. Any party, counsel for any party, and counsel appointed to represent the minor child or children may respond to the complaint within 10 days. The court may extend this time upon a showing of good cause. The Family Law Supervising Judge may refer the complaint to the assigned bench officer to investigate or may investigate the matter directly. Thereafter, a bench officer shall respond to it either by setting the matter for a hearing or by serving a written response on the parties and their counsel. A hearing is not required. (Adopted 7/1/11) [LR 19.20]
CHAPTER 19 – FAMILY LAW DEPARTMENT PROCEDURES AND POLICIES RULE 19.00 PURPOSE OF LOCAL RULES (a) Purpose and Uniformity. The California Rules of Court and these Local Rules are intended to promote uniformity in the practice and procedures among the departments hearing family law matters in San Luis Obispo County. Attorneys and self-represented litigants should familiarize themselves and comply wit
Reviewer note: Composed 2026-10-08 (California T4 San Luis Obispo build 2026-10-08) from BenchPath custody ca/t4/ca-san-luis-obispo/docs/local-rules/local-rules-be-effective-july-1-2026.pdf (the court's rule book, “Rules of the Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo, Effective July 1, 2026”, as fetched 2026-10-08; 1342001 bytes, sha256 529d32bded120bc75a274269fb81bc94001fed283619190951cbc84909e80ffe; 144 pages) with the shared verbatim composer (v2 reflow) over the rule body (PDF pages 11 to 130, printed 1 to 120): each page's running header (“San Luis Obispo Superior Court”) and printed page number removed as chrome; lines reflowed into the rules' paragraphs; the one struck word in the book (Rule 11.1902(c), read on the page image) set aside as chrome with the composer's strike_out, so the card reads the rule as amended; the body cut at the chapter headings (“CHAPTER N –”), which reassemble it; proof 1 (whitespace-only) and proof 2 (same character multiset as the text layer minus chrome) pass. The cover, the table of contents, Appendix I (the schedule of fees), Appendix II (the local forms lists) and the index belong to no chapter; Chapters 6, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 29 print only repealed rules and have no card; the book has no Chapter 17. Review note: Published as printed: Rule 19.28 sets one item “vi. vi. Property Statement Filing Deadline”. The court's Notice of Local Rules Update of October 5, 2026 proposes amendments to Rules 19.03, 19.12, 19.13, 19.14, 19.21, 19.27, 19.28, 19.32 and 19.42 and new or renumbered Rules 19.43 to 19.46 effective January 1, 2027, and its Notice of Updated Local Forms proposes amended forms FL015, FL017 and FL017A (a review task). Rule 19.08 requires written notice of the need for an interpreter at least one week before the hearing, while the Interpreters page (carded) sets 72 hours for INT-300 requests in family law (the review task is on the Interpreters card).
Division XI: information forms for data processing (Rule 11.2); required action - action taken on all calendared cases and a future date always set (Rule 11.19); and pro tem judges - an attorney named as a plaintiff in a civil or small claims case may not sit as a judge pro-tem during the case or within six months following its resolution, nor one named as a defendant in two or more such cases (Rule 11.22). Rules 11.1, 11.3 to 11.5, 11.7 to 11.18, 11.20 and 11.21 are repealed, and Rule 11.6 (voluntary arbitration; see Local Rule 10.2) was repealed and renumbered.
Duval County's indigent-defense and magistration rules under the Texas Fair Defense Act (S.B. 7): who may be booked into the county jail and on what paper; arrest-case numbering; presentment to a magistrate within 48 hours (art. 15.16); the magistrate's warnings, counsel inquiry, interpreter duty, indigence determination and appointment of counsel within 24 hours of a request; the alternative appointment plan under art. 26.04(g)-(h) with annual applications, seven attorney categories (capital, first and second degree, third degree/state jail/misdemeanor, competency, appeals, post-conviction, extradition), CLE and experience standards, random rotation within each category, written acceptance within 48 hours, first contact by the end of the next working day, replacement and suspension of counsel, fee applications within five days of completing services and the compensation attachment ($500 pleas; $175/$150 hourly; $1,400 per jury-trial day; appellate caps); bail schedules by offense class with a personal bond office (fee $20 or 3%), pre-trial supervision and revocation hearings within two working days; arraignment settings and notice; repeal of conflicting rules.