Family Law Hearings

How to Appear for Your Hearing

To Appear In-Person:
Please arrive at the courthouse at least 30 minutes before your scheduled hearing and report directly to the assigned courtroom.

To Appear Remotely:
You can attend the hearing by video or audio conference using the free Microsoft Teams App, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

Family Departments Virtual Hearing Links and Conference Phone Numbers

For tips on how to prepare for a virtual hearing, please refer to the Appearing for Hearings page for general information on using Microsoft Teams and continue reading below for information specific to Family Law virtual hearings.

Procedures During the Hearing

1. At the beginning of a calendar being called, the judges/commissioners will set forth guidelines for the proceedings. Listen closely for further direction.
2. Hearings may be called out of numerical order so be sure to pay attention as the calendar is being called. You’ll need to answer “present” at the appropriate time.
3. All participants shall place their microphones on mute unless they are speaking or wish to make an objection.
4. All efforts shall be undertaken not to interrupt other speakers during the hearing, unless it is necessary to assert an objection. Please speak clearly and slowly. Do not interrupt when another party or the judge is speaking.
5. If an interpreter is necessary, all participants shall speak slowly, in short complete sentences or questions, and allow time for translation. No one shall respond to a question posed by another participant until the question has been translated. For information on requesting an interpreter, please refer to the Court’s Language Access page.
6. Participants SHALL NOT record the video conference or teleconference. Refer to California Rules of Court, rule 1.150.
7. All participants are required to ensure that no minor children are able hear or see the videoconference hearings.
8. All participants are required to identify anyone who may be observing the proceedings with them. This is essential to ensure the credibility of testimony.

Guidelines for Participants

1. For the purpose of this guidance, a participant includes a party, an attorney or a witness.
2. This information is provided as guidance. The conduct of the hearing remains a matter for the presiding judicial officer. Participants should follow any direction given by the judicial officer.
3. The behavior, manner and presentation of a participant should be the same as if they were attending the Court hearing in person. This includes addressing the Judge/Commissioner correctly as “Your Honor” and addressing Counsel politely and courteously.
4. The participant is to ensure that there will be no interruptions or distractions for the duration of their appearance at the hearing.
5. If participants are unable to give uninterrupted evidence, they should advise the clerk or their attorney as soon as practical.
6. A participant should have a copy of all pleadings and documents necessary for the hearing.
7. A participant that plans to examine a witness must ensure the witness has a copy of documents to which they may be referred.
8. Participants are not permitted to use or access their phones during the hearing except to communicate with their attorney of record as permitted by the judge/commissioner.
9. If an objection is made all participants must stop speaking and wait for the Court’s ruling on the objection. An attorney or self-represented party can ask to be heard on the objection after it is made. The Court may also request a response to an objection.
10. Where an objection is made and discussions are required in the absence of the witness, the witness may be asked to mute their computer or otherwise be virtually ejected from the meeting space and invited to re-join when the objection has been dealt with.
11. The Court will hold all hearings to a strict time estimate. It is best not to repeat arguments in the written pleadings as the Court has read and reviewed those documents.
12. Once the Court has heard from all litigants the matter will be submitted for decision. Once submitted the Court will make a ruling and no further argument shall be considered.