Family Law

Peter Spinetta Family Law Center

751 Pine Street Martinez, CA 94553
Accessibility: Wheelchair ramp
Transportation: County Connection Route 116 to Martinez

Family Law court is for people who are: separating or divorcing; dividing what they own and owe; working out child custody and visitation issues; dealing with child or spousal support; addressing domestic violence issues; or identifying a child's legal parents.

Before you ask a judge for court orders, you must have an open court case in the Contra Costa County Superior Court. To open a court case, you can use a local court forms package. For more information:

• If you are married, you can file a case for dissolution, legal separation or nullity.
• If you and the other party are not married, but have children together, you can open a paternity case.
• Visit the Department of Child Support Services website if DCSS is involved in your child support case.
• the Domestic Violence Prevention Act is available to people who have a relationship (parents of a child together; married; used to date, etc.,) and need restraining orders.

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE COURT ORDERS FROM ANOTHER COURT IN CALIFORNIA, you can request a transfer of your case from the original county to Contra Costa County (this is called a “change of venue”), but you must file that request in the original county, not in Contra Costa County.

IF YOU HAVE COURT ORDERS FROM ANOTHER STATE AND NOW LIVE IN CALIFORNIA, YOU NEED TO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY. Interstate child support and child custody issues can be complicated and court staff cannot give legal advice. For information about attorney referral services, click here.

Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about family law:

FAMILY LAW DEPARTMENTS AND SERVICES

 
ONLINE HELP

GET HELP IN PERSON

Tell us about your court experience

Report website problems