Find Butte County Family Law Cases

Butte County family law cases are heard at the Superior Court in Chico. The court handles all types of family law matters including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, and domestic violence restraining orders. Court staff provide general information about filing procedures and court rules. A self-help resource and assistance program called SHARP offers free help with family law forms and procedures. You can visit SHARP for assistance completing paperwork and understanding court requirements. Records for family law cases must be viewed at the courthouse due to California privacy rules. Basic case information may be available by calling the court, but full documents require an in-person visit to the clerk's office.

Butte Superior Court Family Division

The Butte County Superior Court family law division operates from the courthouse at 1775 Concord Avenue in Chico. Judges hear family law cases on scheduled calendar days. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Arrive early if you have a scheduled hearing. Security screening at the entrance can take time during busy morning hours. Bring photo ID when visiting the courthouse.

Call the court at (530) 532-7008 for general information about procedures and filing requirements. The clerk can tell you what forms you need and when hearings are scheduled. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case. For help with strategy or legal questions, you need to speak with an attorney or use the SHARP self-help program.

The court website at www.butte.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law provides information about family law services and procedures. You can find links to forms, filing instructions, and contact information for court services. Most California Judicial Council forms are available for download from the state courts website. Local forms specific to Butte County may be available at the clerk's office or through the court website.

Accessing Case Records

Butte County does not provide comprehensive online case search for family law matters. California Rules of Court restrict remote access to most family law documents. You can call the clerk's office to ask about basic case information like hearing dates or case status. For detailed information or copies of filed documents, you must visit the courthouse in person. Bring the case number if you know it. This speeds up the file retrieval process.

At the courthouse, ask the clerk's office for access to case files. Public case files can be reviewed at the courthouse during business hours. Some documents may be sealed or confidential by court order. The clerk will tell you if documents cannot be released. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40 regardless of how many pages you copy.

Older case files may be archived off-site. Retrieving archived files can take several days. Call ahead if you need records from older cases. The clerk can tell you if the file is on-site or archived. Plan your visit accordingly to avoid multiple trips to the courthouse.

How to File a Case

Starting a family law case requires completing the proper forms. For divorce, you need form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage) along with summons, financial disclosures, and other documents. Download forms from the California Courts website or get them from the SHARP office. SHARP staff can help you understand which forms to use and how to fill them out correctly.

Take completed forms to the clerk's office at 1775 Concord Avenue in Chico. The filing fee is $435 for the first document. If you cannot pay, file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver. Include proof of income such as pay stubs, benefit statements, or tax returns. The court reviews fee waiver applications and decides whether to grant them based on financial need. Some waivers are granted immediately. Others may require a hearing.

After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of all documents filed with the court. You cannot serve papers yourself. Use a process server, the sheriff, or registered mail. The person who completes service fills out a proof of service form. File this proof with the court. Your case cannot proceed until service is completed and proof is filed. Service fees range from $50 to $150 depending on the method and service provider.

Additional documents filed during the case may have separate fees. Motions typically cost $60 to file. Some forms have no fee, like income and expense declarations. Ask the clerk about fees before filing if you are unsure whether a document requires payment.

Self-Help Resource Program

Butte County operates the Self-Help and Resource Program, known as SHARP. SHARP provides free assistance with family law matters to people who cannot afford attorneys. Call (530) 532-7015 to reach SHARP. Staff can answer questions about forms, procedures, and court requirements. They help you complete paperwork and understand what steps to take in your case. SHARP cannot give legal advice about strategy or what to argue in court.

SHARP services include form help, procedural information, and referrals to other resources. You can visit SHARP to use computers and printers for preparing court documents. Staff review forms for completeness but cannot guarantee the court will accept your filings. SHARP also provides information about legal aid organizations and low-cost attorney services in the area.

Legal Services of Northern California serves Butte County residents who qualify for free legal help. Call (916) 551-2150 for intake. They provide advice, brief services, and representation in some family law cases. Priority goes to cases involving domestic violence or child safety. Wait times for full representation can be several weeks or months depending on case volume and staff availability.

Additional Legal Help

The Community Legal Information Clinic at CSU Chico provides free legal information and resources. Visit www.csuchico.edu/clic/family.shtml for information about family law topics. The clinic is staffed by students and supervised attorneys. They offer workshops, form help, and legal information to the community.

For private attorney representation, the State Bar of California lawyer referral service can connect you with local family law attorneys. Call 1-866-442-2529. The first consultation costs around $50 for 30 minutes. If you hire the attorney for ongoing work, regular hourly rates apply. Rates vary based on attorney experience and case complexity.

Domestic violence victims can contact local shelters and advocacy organizations for help. These groups often provide referrals to attorneys who specialize in restraining orders and family law cases involving abuse. Some organizations offer free legal clinics or know-your-rights workshops.

Court Costs

The first filing in a family law case costs $435. Motions filed during the case cost $60 each. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certification adds $40. Service fees depend on who you hire. Budget for $50 to $150 for process service. The sheriff may offer lower-cost service but takes longer to complete the task.

Fee waivers cover most court filing fees if you qualify. They do not cover service fees or attorney fees. If your income changes during the case, the court may revoke your fee waiver and require you to pay fees for future filings.

Major Cities in Butte County

Butte County includes the city of Chico, which has a population over 100,000. Residents file family law cases at the Butte Superior Court in Chico.

Nearby Counties

Verify which county has jurisdiction if you live near a county border.