Fresno County Family Court Cases

Family law proceedings in Fresno County are handled by the Superior Court located at 1130 O Street in Fresno. The court processes a high volume of family law cases involving dissolution, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, and parentage actions. Self-help services are available to assist people who cannot afford private attorneys. Staff provide information about forms, procedures, and court requirements. You can contact the self-help center by phone or email for assistance. Records for family law cases must be viewed at the courthouse due to California privacy rules that restrict remote access to family court documents. Basic case information may be available by calling the clerk's office, but full document review requires an in-person visit to the courthouse.

Fresno Superior Court Family Division

The Fresno County Superior Court family law division operates from the B.F. Sisk Courthouse at 1130 O Street in downtown Fresno. This is one of the largest family courts in the Central Valley. Multiple judges hear family law cases on dedicated family law calendars. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call (559) 457-2143 for general information.

Security screening is required to enter the courthouse. Arrive at least 20 minutes early for scheduled hearings to allow time for security and finding the correct department. The courthouse is a large building with many courtrooms. Check the calendar posted in the lobby or ask security staff for directions to your assigned department. Bring valid photo identification when visiting the courthouse.

The court website at www.fresno.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law provides comprehensive information about family law services, procedures, and resources. Forms are available through the California Courts website. The clerk's office can answer questions about which forms to use and where to file them. Staff cannot give legal advice about your specific situation.

Finding Case Information

Fresno 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 next hearing date 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 to help staff locate the file.

The clerk's office maintains case files and can provide copies during business hours. Some documents may be sealed or confidential by court order. Staff will tell you if documents cannot be released. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost an additional $40 per document. The courthouse accepts cash, checks, and credit cards for copy fees.

Older case files may be archived off-site. Retrieving archived files requires advance notice and can take several days. Call ahead if you need records from cases that closed several years ago. The clerk can tell you if the file is on-site or requires retrieval from storage. This saves you an unnecessary trip if the file needs to be ordered.

Filing a New Case

To start a family law case in Fresno County, complete the required California Judicial Council forms. Divorce cases require form FL-100 (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage) plus summons, financial disclosure forms, and other required documents. Download forms from www.courts.ca.gov/forms.htm. The self-help center can provide form packets and instructions for common case types.

Take completed forms to the clerk's office at 1130 O Street. File the original and bring at least two copies. The clerk files the original and stamps your copies. The filing fee is $435 for the first document. If you cannot afford the fee, file form FW-001 to request a fee waiver. Include proof of income like pay stubs, benefit statements, or tax returns. The court reviews fee waiver applications and approves or denies them based on financial need.

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

Additional filings during the case may have separate fees. Motions cost $60 to file. Some documents like income and expense declarations have no filing fee. Ask the clerk about fees before filing if you are unsure whether a fee applies.

Self-Help Services

Fresno County provides self-help services for family law litigants. Call (559) 457-2143 or email SelfHelpFamilyLaw@Fresno.Courts.Ca.Gov for assistance. Self-help staff can answer questions about forms, procedures, and filing requirements. They cannot give legal advice about your specific case or tell you what arguments to make. Services are free to all court users.

The self-help center provides form packets, computers, and printers for preparing court documents. Staff review forms for completeness but cannot guarantee the court will accept your filings. Hours may vary, so call ahead to confirm the center is open and services are available. Some services may require appointments during high-demand periods.

Central California Legal Services serves Fresno County residents who qualify for free legal aid. Call (800) 675-8001 for intake. Staff ask about your income and case type to determine eligibility. They provide advice, brief services, and representation in some cases. Priority goes to cases involving domestic violence or urgent child safety issues. Wait times for full representation can be several weeks or months depending on case volume and staff availability.

Additional Legal Help

Private attorneys practice family law throughout Fresno County. The Fresno County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service. You can also contact the State Bar of California lawyer referral service at 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.

Some attorneys offer unbundled or limited scope services where they help with only part of your case. This can include drafting specific motions, appearing at a single hearing, or providing legal advice without full representation. Limited scope services cost less than full representation. Ask attorneys if they provide these services and what they charge for specific tasks.

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

Court Fees

First paper filing costs $435. Motions cost $60. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certification adds $40. Service fees vary by provider. Process servers typically charge $50 to $150. The sheriff may charge less but takes longer. Fee waivers cover court filing fees but not service or attorney costs.

Major Cities in Fresno County

Fresno County includes several large cities. Residents file family law cases at the Fresno Superior Court downtown.

Nearby Counties

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