El Dorado County stretches from the Sacramento suburbs near Folsom up through the Sierra foothills to the Lake Tahoe basin, and the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado handles family law at two separate branches rather than one central location.
What This Guide Covers: What the Placerville branch is, its Family Law Facilitator and self-help resources, how it relates to the South Lake Tahoe branch, and what to bring when you file. This is general information about the courthouse itself; for the full California divorce process, see our El Dorado County divorce guide.
The Placerville Branch
The El Dorado Superior Court's Placerville courthouse is located at 295 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667. It is the family law filing location for the western side of the county, generally covering Placerville, Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, and Diamond Springs. If your address falls within this area, this is where you would file your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form FL-100) and related paperwork.
Family Law Facilitator and Self-Help
Self-represented filers can get procedural help, not legal advice, from the El Dorado Superior Court's Family Law Facilitator, an attorney who provides free assistance with preparing court forms and understanding procedure, though not with representing you at a hearing. The Family Law Facilitator's Placerville office is located separately at 495 Main Street, Placerville, and in-person workshops are held at the Placerville Law Library, 550 Main Street.
Family Law Facilitator hours and appointment formats can change, and specific call-in times are published in the office's monthly schedule. Confirm current details directly on the El Dorado Superior Court's website, or by phone, before making a trip.
The South Lake Tahoe Branch
If you live in the Tahoe Basin, your family law case is generally filed at the South Lake Tahoe branch instead, located at 1354 Johnson Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe. That branch handles civil, small claims, juvenile, family law, and probate matters for the Tahoe area, including divorce filings. See our dedicated guide to the South Lake Tahoe branch for that location's details.
What to Bring When You File
Wherever your branch courthouse is, the paperwork requirements are the same statewide.
- Your completed Petition (Form FL-100) and Summons (Form FL-110), signed where required
- Copies of each form (check your specific branch's current copy requirements)
- The filing fee, or a completed Request to Waive Court Fees (Form FW-001) if you qualify
- A photo ID
For the full statewide filing process, including the mandatory six-month waiting period and what happens after you file, see How to File for Divorce in California Without a Lawyer, and for every form referenced above, see our complete California divorce forms hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I file my divorce at the Placerville branch?
If you live on the western side of El Dorado County, generally Placerville, Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, or Diamond Springs, this branch handles family law filings for your area. Residents of the Tahoe Basin generally file at the South Lake Tahoe branch instead.
Where is the Placerville branch located?
The El Dorado Superior Court's Placerville courthouse is at 295 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667, with the court's separate Family Law Facilitator office at 495 Main Street, Placerville, per the court's own location listings.
Is there self-help assistance in Placerville?
Yes. The El Dorado Superior Court's Family Law Facilitator offers appointments, walk-in hours, and status conferences at its Placerville office, with in-person workshops held at the Placerville Law Library. Current hours and formats can change, so confirm directly with the court before visiting.
Can Virdix tell me whether my case belongs in Placerville or South Lake Tahoe?
Virdix prepares the Judicial Council forms your case needs, but confirming your specific branch depends on your address and is something to verify directly on the El Dorado Superior Court's website before filing.
How Virdix Helps
Virdix prepares the California Judicial Council forms your El Dorado County divorce needs, whether your case is filed in Placerville or at South Lake Tahoe. Confirming the correct branch for your address is a step you'll want to verify directly with the court, and Virdix is free during our open beta.
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Courthouse locations, self-help hours, and filing procedures can change; always confirm current information directly with the El Dorado Superior Court before filing. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed California family law attorney.
Sources: El Dorado Superior Court, Family Law; El Dorado Superior Court, Family Law Facilitator/Self-Help Center; El Dorado Superior Court, Locations & Contact Information.