When you are facing a divorce or family law matter in Los Angeles, knowing where to start can be one of the hardest parts. Between understanding the court system, locating the right courthouse, finding the correct forms, and identifying support services, the process can feel overwhelming before it even begins.
At The Sands Law Group, led by attorney Thomas Sands, we work every day to help Los Angeles families navigate these challenges with clarity and confidence. Whether you are dealing with a divorce, child custody dispute, child support matter, or other family law issue, this resource center is designed to give you a practical starting point. Below you will find courthouse locations, links to official court forms, child support resources, and agencies that serve Los Angeles County families.
If you have questions about your specific situation, our team is here to help. Contact us for a free case evaluation with an experienced Los Angeles family law attorney.
How Does the Los Angeles Family Court System Work?
The Los Angeles Superior Court Family Law Division handles all cases concerning family-related matters and domestic relations, including dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, domestic violence, spousal support, child visitation and custody, child support, and restraining orders.
The Superior Court of Los Angeles County is the largest single unified trial court in the United States, operating 36 courthouses throughout the county with over 580 judicial officers and nearly 4,800 employees.
The Los Angeles Superior Court assigns cases based on your home address, using zip codes and geographic location to determine venue. If you are unsure which courthouse to file in, the LA Superior Court website offers a filing location tool based on your zip code. It is always best to confirm your correct venue before preparing documents or attending a hearing.
Los Angeles Courthouse Locations for Family Law Matters
Central District
Stanley Mosk Courthouseย โย 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
The primary family law courthouse for Central Los Angeles and the countyโs administrative hub. The busiest family law courthouse in LA County. Accessible by public transit.
Phone: (213) 974-5004
Central Civil West Courthouseย โย 600 South Commonwealth Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90005
Serves the central Los Angeles area including downtown-adjacent communities. General Court hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (213) 351-7506
West District
Santa Monica Courthouseย โย 1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Serves the western coastal communities of Los Angeles County, including Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and West Los Angeles.
Northeast / San Gabriel Valley
Pasadena Courthouseย โย 300 East Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
Serves Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley. Generally more manageable case volume than downtown locations.
Southeast / South District
Governor George Deukmejian Courthouseย โย 275 Magnolia, Long Beach, CA 90802
Serves Long Beach and nearby South Bay cities.
Compton Courthouseย โย 200 West Compton Blvd., Compton, CA 90220
Covers the South Central region of Los Angeles County.
Torrance Courthouseย โย 825 Maple Ave., Torrance, CA 90503
Serves the South Bay area, including Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Gardena, and surrounding communities.
Whittier Courthouseย โย 7339 South Painter Ave., Whittier, CA 90602
Serves the southeast San Gabriel Valley including Whittier, Pico Rivera, and surrounding cities.
East District
Pomona Courthouse Southย โย 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766
Serves the eastern San Gabriel Valley including Pomona, Claremont, La Verne, and surrounding communities.
North / North Valley District
Chatsworth Courthouseย โย 9425 Penfield Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311
Serves the northwestern region of Los Angeles County, including Chatsworth, Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, and the West Valley.
Van Nuys Courthouse Eastย โย 6230 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401
Serves the Central San Fernando Valley, including Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, and surrounding areas.
Antelope Valley
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouseย โย 42011 4th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534
The main courthouse serving the Antelope Valley area, including Lancaster and Palmdale. Free public parking is available on the south and east sides of the courthouse.
Phone: (661) 483-5500
Important note on electronic filing: As of April 2022, attorneys filing documents in the Family Law Division must submit all documentation electronically. If you are representing yourself, confirm current filing procedures with the clerk at your assigned courthouse.
Divorce & Family Law โ Helpful Links
The following official resources provide useful information about the California divorce process and the Los Angeles Superior Court system.
Los Angeles Superior Court โ Family Law Division
The official hub for the LA Superior Court Family Law Division, including court news, department assignments, and procedural updates.
Website: https://www.lacourt.ca.gov/pages/lp/family-law
California Courts Self-Help Center โ Divorce Overview
The California Courts self-help portal walks you through the divorce process step by step, including what forms to file, timelines, and what to expect at each stage.
Website: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/divorce
California Courts โ Divorce Forms Overview
A complete guide to the California Judicial Council FL-series forms required at each stage of a divorce case.
Website: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/divorce-forms
California Courts โ Joint petition for divorce or legal separation
A joint petition is a way for both of you to start your case with one filing requiring both of you to agree to all of the final terms of the divorce or legal separation
Website: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/divorce/joint-dissolution
LA Superior Court โ Family Law Facilitator
The Office of the Family Law Facilitator provides legal services assistance for people with family or domestic court cases in Los Angeles County. Services are provided at 12 locations with no income or geographic restrictions, provided the case is filed in LA County.
Website: https://www.lacourt.ca.gov/division/familylaw
LA Superior Court โ Filing Location Tool (Zip Code)
Use this tool to confirm which courthouse serves your zip code before filing any documents.
LA Superior Court โ Child Custody Forms
The Superior Court of Los Angeles County gives parents an opportunity to reach a parenting plan agreement through the Family Law Online Dispute Resolution Program. If parents reach an agreement, the custody and visitation plan will be submitted to the Court for review and signature.
Website: https://www.lacourt.ca.gov/pages/lp/family-court-services/tp/child-custody-mediation
LA Superior Court โ Filing for Child Support
All documents for cases in which the Child Support Services Department is not the enforcement agent shall be filed at the courthouse where the case is assigned.
Website: https://www.lacourt.ca.gov/pages/lp/family-law/tp/child-support/cp/where-to-file-court-documents
LA Superior Courts โ Divorce Flowchart
A visual overview of the dissolution of marriage process in California, from filing the petition through entry of final judgment.
Divorce & Parentage Petition Forms
California divorce and family law cases require specific Judicial Council forms at each stage of the process. All forms below are official, free fillable PDFs published by the California Courts. The forms you need will depend on the specifics of your situation โ an attorney can advise you on which apply to your case.
FL-100 โ Petition for Dissolution of Marriage/Domestic Partnership
The first document filed to open a divorce case. It states the grounds for divorce, identifies the parties and any minor children, and outlines the orders you are requesting from the court.
FL-700 โ Joint petition for divorce or legal separation
A joint petition is a way for both of you to start your case with one filing requiring both of you to agree to all of the final terms of the divorce or legal separation
Download FL-710 โ Summons-joint petition
FL-110 โ Summons (Family Law)
Served on the respondent alongside the Petition. The first page outlines that the respondent has 30 days to file a response. The second page contains the Standard Family Law Restraining Orders, which outline the things neither spouse can do without a written agreement or court order โ including hiding or transferring money or property, changing insurance beneficiaries, or taking minor children out of California.
FL-115 โ Proof of Service of Summons
The petitioner files this form to prove that the Summons and Petition were properly served on the respondent according to California law. Proper service starts the mandatory six-month waiting period.
FL-105/GC-120 โ Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
If a divorce case involves minor children who are born to or adopted during the marriage, California law requires the parents to complete this form with information regarding the childrenโs names, ages, and all addresses at which they lived within the last five years.
FL-150 โ Income and Expense Declaration
A sworn financial statement each party must file, detailing monthly income, expenses, assets, and debts. Courts rely on this form to determine child support, spousal support, and attorneyโs fee awards.
FL-142 โ Schedule of Assets and Debts
Used to provide a complete inventory of all assets and debts for purposes of property division. Required as part of Californiaโs mandatory financial disclosure process.
FL-311 โ Child Custody and Visitation (Parenting Time) Application Attachment
An attachment used when requesting specific custody and visitation orders as part of a divorce or custody proceeding.
FL-200 โ Petition to Establish Parental Relationship
Used to establish the legal parent-child relationship in paternity cases involving unmarried parents.
FW-001 โ Request to Waive Court Fees
If you cannot afford the court filing fee (currently $435โ$450 for a dissolution petition), you may qualify for a fee waiver by submitting this form.
California Family Law Calculators
Understanding the financial and custody dimensions of a divorce before you walk into court can help you make better decisions and set realistic expectations. The Sands Law Group offers three free California-specific calculators to help you get a working estimate of what your situation may look like under state guidelines.
These calculators are intended for general informational purposes. Actual court orders depend on the specific facts of your case, and the results should not be treated as legal advice.
California Child Support Calculator
California uses a statewide guideline formula to calculate child support. This calculator factors in each parentโs income, the custody timeshare, tax filing status, and other allowable deductions to generate an estimate of monthly support obligations.
Website: https://www.thesandslawgroup.com/california-child-support-calculator/
California Child Custody Time Calculator
Parenting time โ how many overnights each parent has per year โ directly affects child support calculations and is central to any custody arrangement. Use this calculator to map out a proposed custody schedule and determine the resulting timeshare percentage.
Website: https://www.thesandslawgroup.com/california-child-custody-time-calculator/
California Spousal Support Calculator
Spousal support (alimony) in California is determined by a range of factors under Family Code ยง 4320, but during temporary support proceedings, courts often use a formula as a starting point. This calculator provides a general estimate based on both partiesโ incomes and the length of the marriage.
Website: https://www.thesandslawgroup.com/california-spousal-support-calculator/
Child Support Resources
Child support is one of the most frequently contested issues in Los Angeles family law cases. The resources below can help parents understand their rights and obligations and access county enforcement services.
Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department (CSSD)
CSSD is responsible for establishing and enforcing child support orders when a child receives public assistance or when a parent or legal caretaker requests services. Their services include opening a case, finding parents, establishing legal parent-child relationships, establishing child and medical support orders, and enforcing support orders โ provided at no or little cost.
Website: https://cssd.lacounty.gov
Our Children First โ LA Superior Court Family Court Services
Family Court Services provides mediation services to people who have a family law action for child custody or visitation pending in Los Angeles County. The Our Children First program offers mediation orientation for parents who cannot agree on a parenting plan.
Address: 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 974-5524
California Courts โ Child Support Self-Help
An overview of how child support works in California, including how to request, modify, or enforce a child support order.
Website: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/child-support
Parent Education & Co-Parenting Resources โ LA Superior Court
The LA Superior Court offers referrals to parent education programs designed to help separating parents minimize conflict and focus on their childrenโs well-being. Contact Family Court Services at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse for a current referral list.
Phone: (213) 974-5524
Ready to Speak with a Los Angeles Divorce Attorney?
Knowing where to find resources is a valuable first step, but understanding how those resources apply to your specific situation is a different matter entirely. Every family law case in Los Angeles is different. The courthouse, the forms, the timeline, and the outcome all depend on the facts of your case, your goals, and the decisions you make early in the process.
At The Sands Law Group, Thomas Sands and his team represent working families throughout Los Angeles County in divorce, child custody, spousal support, and related family law matters. We offer experienced, accessible representation at rates designed for real families, not just those who can afford premium Los Angeles legal fees.
Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation. We will listen to your situation, explain your options, and help you understand the path forward, with no obligation.
Contact us online today or call us at 213-788-4412 for a free case evaluation about your case.
TOLL-FREE: 855-SANDS4U
