This guide is intended to provide information to parents seeking custody and visitation orders for their child(ren). Non-parents may obtain custody of a minor through a guardianship (see the Probate Resource Guide for more information). If you are not a parent, but are seeking visitation with a child, see the Grandparent Visitation Resource Guide.
You can find additional materials on family law by browsing the library shelves near the listed books or by searching the library catalog.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Self Help
- In-Depth Research
- Forms
- Statutes
- Community Resources
1. SELF HELP These books are highly regarded "plain English" explanations of the law, written by attorneys or other legal experts. They include basic legal discussion and procedures, forms with instructions, and models of other documents that may be required. Many of the books have CDs that supplement the text and provide interactive forms. You can find all of these titles, and more, in the Library's Self Help Collection on the First Floor.
Books:
California
General
Parenting These books provide practical advice to parents for making the most of the time they have with their children, coping with uncooperative parents, and helping their children deal with custody and visitation issues.
Websites:
- California Courts' Self-Help website(http://courts.ca.gov/1019.htm)
Excellent comprehensive website for information, court rules, and forms.
- Divorce Help Line(www.divorcehelp.com)
Legal and practical information on all aspects of divorce, including custody and visitation. This website links to the Divorce Helpline, a fee-based service of attorneys and other legal experts available to answer your questions and provide assistance.
- LawHelp(www.lawhelpcalifornia.org)
Information searchable by state and by county.
- Nolo Press Self-Help Law Center(www.nolo.com) Contains legal information geared to non-attorneys. The website includes a law dictionary that translates legal jargon into plain English, and guides and forms that can be downloaded to your computer for a fee.
- Sacramento Superior Court Child Custody/Visitation Information(http://www.saccourt.ca.gov/family/custody-visitation.aspx)
Provides information and forms for custody and visitation cases.
- Sacramento Superior Court (www.saccourt.ca.gov)
Link through to Family Law. Click on EZ Legal File to fill out family law forms using a question and answer format.
2. IN-DEPTH RESEARCH
These are "practitioner's guides" aimed at attorneys. They contain a lot of information about the law, procedures, motions, and forms.
Books:
3. FORMS
Child custody and visitation cases require the use of mandatory statewide Judicial Council forms, as well as some Sacramento County local forms. Both types of forms are available:
- In Room 100 at the Family Relations Courthouse
- At the Law Library, to photocopy or on the computers
- On the Internet (see the "Websites" section below)
Samples of completed forms are available in many of the books listed above. For blank forms, try the following resources:
Books:
Websites:
- Judicial Council Forms (http://www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm)
These mandatory forms can be filled out online. Completed forms cannot be saved.
- Sacramento County Local Court Forms (http://saccourt.ca.gov/forms/forms.aspx)
These forms cannot be filled out online. You can print them out or download and save blank forms.
- US Court Forms (library use only).
This program, available on the library's public computers, allows users to save or print filled-out Judicial Council and local forms.
4. STATUTES
All of the materials listed above will refer you to sections of California Codes. The codes are available in the library and online.
Books:
- Deering's California Code Annotated (KFC30.5 .D4)
- West's Annotated California Codes (KFC30 .W48)
Websites:
5. COMMUNITY RESOURCES
The Family Law Facilitator's office provides workshops on many aspects of divorce, separation, and annulment procedure. Appointments are required to attend most workshops. To sign up for a workshop, visit the Self Help Center in Room 113 of the Family Relations Courthouse, Monday through Thursday.
Parentage Workshop (UPA)
This workshop is for parents who are not married to the other parent and wish to start a case for custody, visitation, or child support.
Dissolution/Nullity/Legal Separation Workshop
This workshop is for married persons who want a divorce, legal separation, or annulment. This workshop can also be used to start a case for custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, and property division.
Default Workshop
This workshop is for parties who have filed a family law case in the Sacramento Superior Court, and at least thirty (30) days have passed since the other party was served, and no Response has been filed.
Order to Show Cause Workshop
This workshop is for parties who have a case in Sacramento County and want to request a hearing.
Income & Expense Declaration Workshop
Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. (walk-in workshop – no appointment needed)
This workshop helps parties complete the Income and Expense Declaration or Financial Disclosures forms. Arrive early and bring a blue or black pen, W-2's for the previous year, paystubs for the past two months and a calculator (not a cellular telephone). Space is limited and the workshop is offered on a first come-first served basis only.
updated 07/11 mpj
revised 1/23/12 mpj