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| Family Court Services
Family Court Services (FCS) provides mediation and investigation in Family Law cases when separating or divorcing parents cannot agree on a child custody sharing plan.
FCS offices are conveniently located in each family law location throughout the county (except Madge Bradley).
Mediation is provided in a private counseling office with a court counselor. The mediation conference allows both parents to work together toward a mutually acceptable agreement which is in the best interest of the children. The mediation session will last approximately 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Mandatory Mediation
In any dissolution matter regarding child custody and visitation where there is a dispute, it is mandatory that the case be set for mediation prior to the court hearing. If agreement is reached, it is reported to the court (through the attorneys) and thus the court hearing may be cancelled since the family made its own decision. If no agreement is reached, a recommendation will be made by the court counselor and the court hearing will proceed.
Parent Orientation
Parent Orientation
FCS provides a weekly Parent Orientation meeting to provide general information regarding child custody and Family Court matters. This meeting is facilitated by an FCS Counselor. The orientation lasts about 1 hour.
This public orientation is held at the following location:
| DAY |
TIME |
ADDRESS |
LOCATION |
PHONE |
| 3rd Tuesday of the month |
12:00 noon * |
1555 6th Ave
San Diego |
Family Law Court
FCS conference room - 2nd floor |
(619)
450-7888 |
| 1st Thursday of the month |
5:30 pm * |
1555 6th Ave
San Diego |
Family Law Court
Main Lobby - 1st floor |
(619)
450-7888 |
|
* Doors are locked promptly at 12:10pm and 5:15pm. |
No appointment is necessary, meetings are on a first-come first-served basis.
Parent Education Classes
A Collaboration of San Diego Community College District and the San Diego Superior Court offers parent education classes on a voluntary or court-ordered basis. A six-week session of classes meets one night per week (Tuesdays 6:00pm - 9:00pm). Issues including communication, extended family, discipline, grandparent/stepparent relationships, are discussed. There is NO COST and a certificate of participation is provided upon completion.
These classes are held at:
San Diego City College
1313 - 12th Avenue, Bldg. L, Room 208E
San Diego, CA 92101
Contact Family Court Services at one of the following locations for a schedule and registration :
|
Location |
Phone Number |
| San Diego |
(619) 450-7888 |
| El Cajon |
(619) 456-4181 |
| Vista |
(760) 201-8300 |
| South County |
(619) 746-6097 |
Guardianship Investigations
Family Court Services is also responsible for providing investigations of proposed guardians, who are blood relatives of children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable to meet the best interest of the children (Probate Code §1513). The Purpose of Family Court Services
Consistent with the spirit of California law, the purpose of the Family Court Services is to:
- Assist families in the friendly settlement of domestic controversies involving the welfare of children where there is an action in Family Court.
- Try to assure children get frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the dissolution of marriage or end of a relationship.
- Encourage parents to cooperate and share the rights and responsibilites of parenting during and following a dissolution.
- Investigate Guardianship cases scheduled for the probate court when the prospective guardian is a relative of the child. The investigation will help try to assure the needs of the child will be met. (Probate Code §1513 & Family Code §3110).
Disabled Individuals
Reasonable accommodations will be made so disabled individuals may particpate in the mediation process. Child-Care During Mediation
Please do not bring your child(ren) unless a counselor has requested you do so. Do not depend on our facility for child-care. You may call Family Court Services to see if the volunteer staffed child-care facility is open on the day of your appointment. Helping Children With Divorce
In order to help children cope with the family transition, the following points are suggested:
- Explain the divorce to the child at his or her level of understanding without placing blame.
- Always allow the child to express feelings of hurt, anger, etc.
- Reinforce to the child that he or she is not to blame and that both parents will continue to provide love and care for him/her.
- Do not carry on arguments with the other parent in the child's presence or within his/her hearing.
- Allow the child to speak with other children who have experienced divorce.
- If the father or mother is not available, use services of agencies such as Big Brothers or Big Sisters when appropriate.
- Seek professional counseling when appropriate.
- Do not use the child as a spy between parents' households.
- Encourage contact between the child and the other parent's extended family, e.g. grandparents, aunts and uncles.
- Do not speak disparagingly of the other parent to the child and do not ask the child to be loyal to only one parent.
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Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
