Family & children

Steps to take

Make a list of agreed and disputed issues. Compare mediation, collaborative work, lawyer negotiation, and court; do not treat negotiation as the default if you feel unsafe or controlled.

What may happen next

You may need temporary orders before a final agreement. An agreed process still needs valid documents and court approval where required.

Documents to gather

Existing orders, marriage records, financial statements, debts, housing costs, and parenting arrangements.

Do not enter documents or private case details into this site's search.

Which rules apply?

Statewide law, local court procedure, and federal or agency rules are different checks. Where a local rule matters, use the county and court identified on your documents.

Read the full prepaid-focused guide

Choose the right California route

1. No family case yet? A custody request needs a family-law case. Ask the court's self-help center which case fits, especially if legal parentage is unresolved. Do not assume divorce paperwork is right for unmarried parents. California parentage cases.
2. Need a new or changed order? California's Request for Order process uses form FL-300 for many custody and support requests in an existing case. Filing is followed by service and a hearing; custody disputes also involve mediation or recommending counseling. Request for Order instructions and custody-specific steps.
3. Mostly a child-support problem? The local child support agency helps establish and enforce support orders. That service is different from hiring your own lawyer to address custody. Start with the court's support resources and county agency finder.

If mediation does not feel safe

Tell Family Court Services about abuse or a restraining order before the appointment. In the circumstances described by the court, you have a right to a separate meeting and may bring a support person. Ask what information can be shared with the other parent; do not assume the session is confidential.

California Courts: safety arrangements in custody mediation. This is a court-process safeguard, not a recommendation to negotiate with someone who intimidates or controls you.

Bring to the first conversation

• Current orders, case number, hearing papers, and proof of service.
• A proposed parenting schedule and the specific change you need.
• Income, support-payment, child-care, and health-insurance records.

Do not enter documents or private case details into this site's search.

Free help versus your own lawyer

California court self-help programs are free and can help with forms. They do not represent you, both sides may use them, and conversations are not protected by attorney-client privilege. A private or plan lawyer can provide individualized advice within the engagement you agree to.

What California court self-help can and cannot do.

Statewide rule, local appointment

Check your county's filing, service, mediation, and hearing instructions. A move, another state's order, or an urgent safety issue calls for individual advice about which court can act.

Explore prepaid help for family matters

A California protection-order starting point

1. Check which order fits. Domestic-violence orders apply to qualifying relationships. A neighbor or coworker dispute may use another kind of order. Compare California restraining-order types with a self-help center or advocate.
2. Use the right forms and local filing route. The state's domestic-violence form guide explains DV-100 and related forms. If you need child-related orders, ask about the additional custody forms. Confirm any county supplements.
3. Plan for service and the hearing. A temporary decision is not the end of the case. Follow the judge's papers and get help arranging safe service; do not put yourself at risk delivering papers.

Safety and custody overlap

Tell the court and your lawyer about abuse and existing protective orders. California has special custody rules involving domestic violence; this is not a situation to treat as a routine negotiated parenting plan.

California Courts: domestic violence and child custody.

Bring only what is safe to gather

Existing orders, hearing papers, and records of incidents may help. Do not risk your safety to collect evidence or upload private case details to this site.

Who does what?

• Emergency services: immediate danger, not document advice.
• Advocates: safety planning and support.
• Court self-help: procedural and form assistance, not your confidential lawyer.
• Your lawyer: individual legal advice and any specifically agreed representation.

If papers were served on you

Read and obey any temporary orders, note the hearing date, and seek prompt advice about responding. This guide does not assess the allegations or replace a defense lawyer.