Pomona Family Court Case Access
Pomona is located in eastern Los Angeles County with around 151,000 residents. All family court records for Pomona are filed at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. This court system handles divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, paternity, and domestic violence cases. Pomona has its own courthouse at 400 Civic Center Plaza that serves the eastern part of the county. Cases filed in Pomona go into the LA County database and can be searched using online portals that show basic case information like registers of action and hearing schedules. For full access to case files including all filed documents, you must visit the courthouse in person during business hours with valid photo identification.
Pomona Quick Facts
Pomona Courthouse for Family Law
The Los Angeles County Superior Court in Pomona serves residents in the eastern San Gabriel Valley. The courthouse is at 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766. This location handles family law cases for Pomona and nearby cities. The self-help center is on the 7th floor of the same building. Call (909) 620-3150 for questions about filing family court cases in Pomona.
Court hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Security screening happens at the entrance. Bring valid photo ID. Parking is available in nearby structures and on the street. Public transit options include Metrolink Pomona-North station and several bus lines that serve the area. Arrive early if you need to file documents or use the self-help center because wait times can be long during busy periods.
Los Angeles County uses a unified case management system. When you file a family law case in Pomona, it goes into the same database as cases filed at any other LA County courthouse. The clerk assigns a case number that starts with letters indicating case type. Dissolution cases use "BD." Paternity and custody cases use "BF." Domestic violence cases use "DV." Keep your case number in a safe place because you need it for all future filings and searches.
How to Search Pomona Family Court Records
Los Angeles County provides online case search tools for Pomona family law cases. The main portal is at lacourt.org/paos/v2public/CivilIndex. You can search by party name or case number. The system shows registers of action with a list of every filed document and court hearing. But you cannot view or download actual documents due to privacy rules under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503.
Searches cost $1.00 to $4.75 depending on the type of search. Payment is by credit card. Results appear immediately. For name searches, use exact spellings. Common names may return many results. Adding a first name helps narrow the list. Case number searches give you one specific case right away.
LA Court Connect is another option at lacc.lacourt.org. This portal uses the same database but has a different interface. Both systems show the same information for Pomona family court records. Use whichever one you find easier.
For full case file access including all documents, visit the Pomona courthouse in person. Go to the clerk's office with photo ID and your case number or party names. The clerk can let you view documents on a public terminal or provide printed copies. Certified copies cost more than regular copies. Call ahead at (909) 620-3150 to ask about current copy fees.
File Family Court Cases in Pomona
To file for divorce or legal separation in Pomona, you must meet residency requirements. At least one spouse must have lived in California for six months and in Los Angeles County for three months before filing. Other case types have different rules. Paternity cases have no residency requirement. Domestic violence restraining orders have no residency requirement either.
Get forms from the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/forms. A dissolution petition is form FL-100. You also need form FL-110 for the summons, income and expense declarations, and other supporting forms. The self-help center at the Pomona courthouse can help you figure out which forms apply to your situation. Staff cannot give legal advice but can explain what each form is for.
The filing fee for a first family law petition is $435. This is a statewide fee. If you have low income, you can request a fee waiver using form FW-001. Provide proof of income and expenses. A judge reviews the request and decides if you qualify. If approved, you pay no filing fee for your Pomona family court case.
After filing, you must serve the other party. California requires personal service by someone over 18 who is not involved in the case. You cannot serve papers yourself. The server must complete a proof of service form and file it with the court. This step is mandatory before your case can proceed. The Los Angeles County Sheriff can serve papers for a fee, or you can hire a private process server.
Legal Help for Pomona Residents
Community Legal Aid SoCal provides free legal services to low-income residents in Los Angeles County including Pomona. Call (800) 834-5001 to see if you qualify. They handle family law cases involving domestic violence, child custody, and child support. Services are available to those who meet income requirements.
The self-help center at the Pomona courthouse offers free assistance with forms and procedures. Go to the 7th floor during court hours. No appointment needed. Staff can help you fill out forms, explain filing procedures, and answer questions about court rules. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to write. But they can make sure you use the right forms and file them correctly.
LA County Self-Help Access Centers operate at multiple locations. Visit dcba.lacounty.gov/legal-access-centers/ for more information. These centers provide help with family law forms, information about procedures, and referrals to other resources. Services are free to all Pomona residents.
The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-392-5660. You can get connected with a family law attorney who practices in Los Angeles County. Many attorneys offer reduced-fee initial consultations. This lets you discuss your case before deciding whether to hire a lawyer for your Pomona family law matter.
Child Custody and Support
Custody in Pomona follows California best interest of the child standards. The court looks at the child's health and safety, each parent's ability to care for the child, the child's ties to home and school, and any history of abuse by either parent. The judge has discretion to make custody orders that fit each family's needs.
Legal custody is the right to make decisions about the child. Physical custody is where the child lives. Parents can share both types or one parent can have sole custody. Joint legal custody is common even when one parent has primary physical custody. The court can order a detailed parenting plan with a specific schedule for when the child is with each parent.
Child support uses a statewide formula based on both parents' income, time with the child, and other factors like health insurance costs. Courts use computer programs like DissoMaster to calculate the guideline amount. You cannot agree to zero support even if both parents want that. The court must approve any support amount for Pomona cases.
Support continues until the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever comes later. If the child is still in high school at age 19, support continues until graduation. You can modify support if there is a substantial change in circumstances. File a motion to modify with the Pomona courthouse.
Los Angeles County requires parents to attend child custody recommending counseling before a contested hearing. A counselor meets with both parents to try to reach an agreement. If parents agree, the judge typically approves it. If not, the hearing proceeds and the judge decides custody for Pomona families.
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Pomona residents can file for domestic violence restraining orders at the Pomona courthouse. These orders protect against abuse or threats from a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, cohabitant, or parent of your child. There is no filing fee for domestic violence restraining order requests.
Fill out form DV-100 and related forms. Take them to the clerk's office. A judge reviews the request the same day or next business day. If the judge finds reasonable proof of abuse and danger, a temporary order issues immediately. It lasts until a hearing within 21 days. You must have the other party served with the order and hearing notice before the hearing date.
At the hearing, both sides can testify and present evidence. The judge decides whether to issue a restraining order for up to five years. The order can require the restrained person to stay away from you, your home, your work, and your children's schools. It can order the person to move out of a shared home. It can also grant you custody and set visitation for Pomona cases.
Violating a restraining order is a crime. If the restrained person contacts you or comes near you in violation of the order, call police. Keep a copy of the order with you at all times.
Represent Yourself in Pomona Court
Many Pomona residents handle family court cases without a lawyer. This works best when both parties agree and there are no complex issues. The California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/selfhelp has guides for common family law cases. You can find instructions for filing divorce, responding to petitions, and modifying orders.
All California court forms are free at courts.ca.gov/forms. Download forms and fill them out carefully. Read all instructions before you start. Mistakes can delay your case. If you need help, ask the self-help center staff at the Pomona courthouse.
When you go to court, dress appropriately and arrive early. Turn off your phone. Address the judge as "Your Honor." Speak only when asked. Bring copies of all documents. Answer questions honestly and briefly. Self-represented litigants must follow the same rules as lawyers.
Nearby Los Angeles County Cities
Other cities in eastern LA County also file family court cases at Los Angeles County courthouses. These cities use the same county court system.
Los Angeles County Family Court Records
Pomona is in Los Angeles County. All family law filings for Pomona residents go through the Los Angeles County Superior Court. For more information about the county court system, visit the Los Angeles County page.