FAMILY LAW
Customer Service is provided at: 500 Argonaut Lane, Jackson, CA. 95642
The Courthouse is open Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
The Courthouse is open Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
The Courtrooms are open for access from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Clerk’s Office is open to the public:
Monday-Thursday 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Friday 9:30 AM to 12:00 NOON
| Call: | 209-257-2603 |
OVERVIEW
FAMILY LAW OVERVIEW
The Family Law court has jurisdiction over cases involving marital
and domestic partnership relationships, relationships between parents
and children, and domestic violence matters.
The Family Law Department handles the following filings:
Dissolution, Legal Separation, Nullity
Establish Parental Relationship (Paternity), Petitions for Custody and Support
Child Custody and Visitation
Child Support, Spousal Support, Family Support
Marital Property Division
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
Dept. of Child Support services, Child Support Actions
CHILD SUPPORT OVERVIEW
All cases involving the Central Sierra Child Support Agency (CSCSA)
are required by law to be heard
by a Superior Court Commissioner. CSCSA assists parents in establishing paternity and establishing, modifying and enforcing child support and medical support orders. CSCSA provides services in these areas to both custodial and non-custodial parents upon request. However, if the custodial parent is receiving TANF and there is no order requiring the non-custodial parent to pay child support, CSCSA will file an action to establish a judgment of paternity (if necessary) and to obtain child and medical support orders. The CSCSA does not provide legal advice to the parties and the attorney who appears in court on behalf of CSCSA does not represent either parent.
by a Superior Court Commissioner. CSCSA assists parents in establishing paternity and establishing, modifying and enforcing child support and medical support orders. CSCSA provides services in these areas to both custodial and non-custodial parents upon request. However, if the custodial parent is receiving TANF and there is no order requiring the non-custodial parent to pay child support, CSCSA will file an action to establish a judgment of paternity (if necessary) and to obtain child and medical support orders. The CSCSA does not provide legal advice to the parties and the attorney who appears in court on behalf of CSCSA does not represent either parent.
The Family Law Facilitator
can provide legal assistance in child support cases,
which include actions to establish paternity, marital
dissolutions (if there are minor children), custody and
visitation motions (if support or modification of support
is requested) or in any action involving the CSCSA.
| Visit the California State Child Support website. |
CUSTODY / VISITATION MEDIATION
CUSTODY / VISITATION MEDIATION AND ORIENTATION
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MEDIATION
When parents do not agree on custody and visitation arrangements,
California law requires they attend mediation before the court hearing.
Child custody mediation is an opportunity for parents to work with a
mediator and make their own agreement as to how they will take care
of their children and what the custody and visitation plan will be.
Although mediators are experienced in counseling, mediation is
not counseling. A neutral mediator meets with both parents and
helps them try to agree on a plan that is the best for them and
their child/children.
The guidelines for mediation are to treat
each other and the mediator with respect, listen to each other
to find real solutions, put the child/children first,
and think about the child/children’s needs and what they can handle.
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ORIENTATION
The Orientation Program is mandatory for all parents who have
child custody and visitation issues. Orientation provides important
information about helping children through their parents’ separation
and how to develop a parenting plan.
If you have attended orientation within the last twelve months,
you do not have to attend again.
Show the Court Clerk your previous certificate of completion.
The video shown during Orientation illustrates the need for
parents to keep their children out of adult conflicts.
The Orientation Program may be completed in two ways,
online at
Online Orientation Program
or
in person at the Court House on the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 4:00 PM |
| Family Court Services can be emailed with comments or concerns. |
FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR
FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR
The Amador Superior Court maintains a Family Law Facilitator
program to assist self-represented parties
in certain types of family law cases. The Family Law Facilitator program is staffed by legal professionals who may provide services to both parties, but who do not represent either party. The emphasis of this program is to provide legal information and education in the areas of paternity,
child support, spousal support and other limited areas of family law. A party should ask the Family Law Facilitator which documents to bring to his/her appointment.
in certain types of family law cases. The Family Law Facilitator program is staffed by legal professionals who may provide services to both parties, but who do not represent either party. The emphasis of this program is to provide legal information and education in the areas of paternity,
child support, spousal support and other limited areas of family law. A party should ask the Family Law Facilitator which documents to bring to his/her appointment.
| To make an appointment, check clinic times, or other resources | |
| Call: | 209-754-1443 |
FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The following questions and answers are provided for
general reference and information only.
+ Where do I file my Papers
All documents are filed at the Clerks Office, located at
500 Argonaut Lane, Jackson, CA.
Papers filed with the Clerk's Office can be submitted in person between during office hours, or left in the dropbox at the Courthouse entrance. (See Local Rule 11.22).
Papers filed with the Clerk's Office can be submitted in person between during office hours, or left in the dropbox at the Courthouse entrance. (See Local Rule 11.22).
Papers being filed on the day of the hearing
must be filed in the courtroom.
When filing papers with the Court, please use the following guidelines:
Pleadings will not be filed unless they comply with
Exhibits must be as legible as original typing or printing.
No conformed copies of documents filed with the Clerks Office will be returned by mail
unless a self-addressed stamped envelope, with sufficient postage is provided.
All papers presented for filing must be pre-punched in the standard
two-hole position
to comply with
California Rules of Court, rule 2.115.
An original and one copy must be submitted,
and only two copies of each document
will be conformed.
Documents submitted without appropriate
filing fees according to the court's
Statewide Filing Fee Schedule
will be returned un-filed.
+ How do I prepare paperwork for an Adult Adoption?
See the easy to follow instructions at:
Sacramento County Public Law Library.
FORMS
| Form | Description | Updated | Format |
| PLEASE NOTE: * A red star indicates a MANDATORY FORM, all other forms are optional. | |||
| Family Law Case Management Statement * | FCS-043: Used to inform the Court as to your updated Family Law case status. | 08/25/2011 |
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| Family Law Settlement Conference Statment | FCS-052: Used to inform the court what the parties have agreed to and what they are disputing. | 09/17/2012 |
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| Declaration re: Notice Upon Ex Parte Application for Orders | FCS-004:: Used to give notice of ex parte hearing, or explain why no notice is being given. | 04/2010 |
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Application to Place Matter on Calendar to Dismiss Temporary Restraining Order /Restraining Order |
FCO030: Ex Parte Application used to place a Family Law case on calendar to request a restraining order be dismissed. | 09/2010 |
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| Firearm Declaration | FCS-006: Used by restrained person to comply with mandatory firearm requirements. | 05/14/2001 |
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Grandparent Rights Information
Petition for Joinder Petition for Grandparent Rights |
FCS-080:
Grandparent Rights Packet: Information sheet; Petition for Joinder (Custody/Visitation); Petition. |
06/19/2012 |
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| Mediation/Evaluation Client Complaint | FCS-100: Used to inform the Court of your complaint against a mediator or evaluator. | 04/24/2012 |
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Memorandum To Set Case For Trial |
FCS-031: Used to request case set for trial. | 04/24/2012 |
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Request to Set Default/Uncontested Matter For Hearing |
FCS-044: Used to request hearing set on default or uncontested matter. | 08/2011 |
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