Superior Court of California, County of San Diego

If you want to ask the court for an order for one of more of the following:

• Child custody or visitation
• Child or spousal support
• Health insurance coverage
• Payment of child care or health care costs
• Property control or other types of orders

or if you want to change an existing Court order because circumstances have changed, ask the clerk for an Order to Show Cause packet. This packet will cost $2.00. Before buying this packet, read the following:

You cannot file an Order to Show Cause unless you have an existing case.

Your Order to Show Cause may be filed at the same time you file a new family law case.

If either parent is now receiving or has ever received public assistance (welfare) for the child, a paternity case may already have been filed. Please ask the clerk to check for a case number.

If you want immediate domestic violence restraining orders, you must also ask the clerk for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order packet.

There is a filing fee to file an Order to Show Cause. The fee will depend on the type of order you are requesting and the status of your case. A fee waiver may be granted if you receive S.S.I., public assistance or fall below the Court's income guidelines. If you think you might qualify, obtain a Fee Waiver Application and Order packet from the clerk.