Get Ready for Your Family Law Hearing

Superior Court of California, County of San Diego

  • Arrive 30 minutes before you are due to appear in court.
  • It is important that you prepare for your hearing before you come to court. Read all the papers filed by you and the other party before your hearing.
  • If you do not know where your hearing is to take place, the business office will be able to tell you.
  • Do not bring your children. Children under 18 are generally not allowed into the courtroom.
  • Bring a pen or pencil and paper to write on.
  • You can bring a friend or relative, but that person must not talk for you in court. When the courtroom opens, go in and tell the clerk or officer that you are there.
  • Before entering the courtroom turn off any mobile phones or pagers.
  • Do not bring food or drinks into the courtroom.
  • You should be aware that a number of cases are scheduled on any one day and you will be required to wait until your case is called -- use the time while you are waiting to talk about the matter with the other party (unless you have domestic violence issues) to try to reach an agreement. If you believe you can reach an agreement, quietly let the court officer know you are leaving the courtroom to talk. When you reach an agreement, or if you find you cannot agree, return to the courtroom and quietly let the court officer know you are ready to see the judge.
  • When your case is called, go up to the table you are shown to by the court officer.
  • During the hearing please stand when you are speaking and address the judge as
  • Have all documents that support your case with you and enough copies for all parties and the court. You need to show your documents to the other party before showing them to the judge.
  • Be ready to announce your name, state the issues that you and the other party cannot agree on, state any matters you have reached agreement on with the other party. Make a list of the orders you want and practice saying them. Don't take more than 3 minutes to say what you want and include specific recommended solutions. If you get nervous at the hearing, just read from your list. Use that list to see if the judge has made a decision on every item you asked for.
  • The judge will ask questions. Tell the truth. Speak slowly. Give complete answers.
  • Do not interrupt the judge or other party when they are talking. Do not raise your hand while the judge or other party is talking. The judge will talk to both sides before a decision is made.
  • If you don't understand, say, 'I don't understand.'
  • At the end of the hearing, the judge will say what the orders are. Take notes of any orders the judge makes - ask for the orders to be repeated if you do not understand them.
  • For assistance filing Findings and Order After Hearing form or judgment papers, you may go to the Family Law Facilitator's Self Help Office listed on this sheet.
  • Superior Court Rules governing family law matters may be found at www.sdcourt.ca.gov

Where are the Family Law Facilitator's Self-Help Centers?

CENTRAL COURTHOUSE
220 W. Broadway, Room 4001
San Diego, CA 92101
Sign-in times 7:00am & Noon
Noon session begins at 1:30pm
(DCSS Support Cases ONLY)

FAMILY COURT BUILDING
1555 Sixth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Sign-in times 8:00am and Noon
Noon session begins at 1:30pm
(Divorce, Paternity, Support Issues, Child Custody & Visitation)

EAST COUNTY
250 E. Main Street
El Cajon, CA 92020
Sign-in times 8:00am and Noon
Noon session begins at 1:30pm
(Divorce, Paternity, Support Issues, Child Custody & Visitation)

NORTH COUNTY
325 South Melrose DriveVista, CA 92083Sign-in times 7:15am and NoonNoon session begins at 1:30pm(Divorce, Paternity, Support Issues, Child Custody & Visitation)
SOUTH COUNTY
500 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Sign-in times 7:00am and Noon
Noon session begins at 1:30pm
(Divorce, Paternity, Support Issues, Child Custody & Visitation)

SPACE IS LIMITED AT ALL SELF-HELP LOCATIONS

California Courts Self Help Center
www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp