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California court preparation · reviewed August 21, 2026

Preparing for California Family Court

A careful statewide checklist that sends county-specific fees, forms, and procedure back to the receiving court.

Legal information, not legal advice. California law and county practice can change. Verify forms, fees, filing methods, service, and hearing procedure with the court receiving your case.

Before filing

  • Identify the correct county Superior Court and review its local rules and standing orders
  • Ask the clerk for current forms, filing fees, and the filing method (paper vs. e-file)
  • If you can’t afford fees, ask about a fee waiver (form FW-001)
  • Confirm how emergency (ex parte) submissions are presented to the court
  • Serve the other party in the manner the rules require and file a proof of service

Before the hearing

  • Read every notice and temporary order
  • Meet the actual exhibit, witness, disclosure, and subpoena deadlines
  • Confirm the courtroom, remote link, check-in, security, and device rules
  • Prepare a short list of requested orders and the evidence supporting each
  • Bring only what the court permits; arrange child care unless the court directs otherwise
No invented statewide numbers. California has 58 Superior Courts with varying local rules, fees, forms, and standing orders. This page intentionally does not publish unsupported universal amounts, response times, or hearing deadlines.
Official sources reviewed August 21, 2026

Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the receiving court.

Confirm current court fees and deadlines. Court fees, filing and response deadlines, hearing timing, notice periods, and local procedures can change or vary by county. Before relying on any amount or time period on this page, confirm the current amount or deadline with the court or clerk handling your case.