Child Custody and Visitation in Contra Costa County, California
A plain-language guide to child custody in Contra Costa County, from the forms you file at the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa to mediation, the best-interest standard, and how to prepare your paperwork without hiring an attorney.
Contra Costa County sits in the East Bay, with its county seat in Martinez and its largest cities spread across Concord, Richmond, Antioch, Walnut Creek, and San Ramon. Custody matters for families throughout the county are heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa.
As in the rest of California, custody in Contra Costa County breaks into two components. Legal custody covers who has the authority to make major decisions for a child, and physical custody covers where the child lives day to day. Either can be joint or sole, and judges base their decisions on the best interest of the child, with no preference toward either parent because of gender.
Custody can be part of a divorce or legal separation, or, for parents who were never married, it starts by establishing parentage. Contra Costa County relies on the same statewide Judicial Council forms used everywhere in California, so what varies locally is administrative: which courthouse hears your case and how Family Court Services in the county schedules mediation appointments.
Parents who agree on custody and visitation terms can put that agreement into a written parenting plan and submit it for a judge's signature, avoiding a contested hearing entirely. This is generally the fastest path to enforceable orders, and Contra Costa County's self-help center supports self-represented parents in preparing the required forms.
Where custody cases are heard in Contra Costa County
Custody and visitation matters in Contra Costa County are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa, with the county seat in Martinez. Because courthouse locations, hours, and the local Family Court Services or Child Custody Recommending Counseling program change over time and can differ between branches, use the official California Courts court finder to confirm the current details for your case:
Find the Contra Costa County Superior Court (official California Courts finder)
How custody is decided in California
California uses the same statewide rules in every county, including Contra Costa County. Custody has two parts: legal custody (who makes major decisions about health, education, and welfare) and physical custody (where the child lives). Either can be joint (shared) or sole (one parent). Judges decide custody based on the best interest of the child, and California law does not favor a parent based on gender.
You can ask for custody orders inside a divorce or legal separation case, or, if the parents were never married, by first establishing parentage. The core steps are:
- Open or use an existing case: a divorce (Form FL-100), a legal separation, or a parentage case (Form FL-200) for unmarried parents.
- File a Request for Order (Form FL-300) with the custody and visitation attachment (Form FL-311) to ask the court for orders.
- Serve the other parent and file a proof of service.
- Attend the mandatory child custody mediation (Family Court Services), which California requires before a contested custody hearing.
- Attend the hearing if you have not agreed, and receive the court's order (Form FL-341 series, Findings and Order After Hearing on Form FL-340).
There is no six-month waiting period for custody the way there is for a divorce to become final. Parents can also agree on a parenting plan and submit it as a stipulation for the judge to sign, which avoids a contested hearing entirely. If you and the other parent agree, that is almost always the faster and less costly path in Contra Costa County.
Local notes for Contra Costa County
Family law cases in Contra Costa County are directed to specific courthouse locations, so confirm where to file your custody case using the official California Courts court finder before submitting paperwork in Martinez or elsewhere in the county.
Contra Costa County follows California's statewide rule requiring parents in a contested custody or visitation dispute to attend child custody mediation through Family Court Services before a hearing. The county's self-help center assists self-represented parents with procedure and forms, but staff cannot give legal advice about the specifics of your case.
When domestic violence is a concern, a domestic violence restraining order (Forms DV-100 and DV-110) can include temporary custody terms while your case is pending. Call 911 in an emergency, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233, is staffed 24 hours a day.
Step-by-step guides for your Contra Costa County custody case
Contra Costa County Child Custody FAQs
Where is child custody filed for Contra Costa County residents?
Custody cases go through the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa, based in Martinez. Confirm the exact courthouse for family law filings using the official California Courts court finder, since Contra Costa County directs cases to specific locations.
How does a Contra Costa County judge decide legal and physical custody?
The judge applies California's best interest of the child standard, the same rule used statewide. Legal custody, or who makes major decisions for the child, and physical custody, or where the child lives, are decided separately and can each be joint or sole.
Is mediation required before a contested custody hearing in Contra Costa County?
Yes. Contra Costa County follows California's requirement that parents in a contested custody or visitation dispute attend mediation through Family Court Services before a judge rules on the matter.
Can I file for custody in Contra Costa County without hiring a lawyer?
Yes, self-representation is common, and the county's self-help center provides procedural support. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and it can help you complete the required Judicial Council forms accurately, though it does not give legal advice or represent you in court.
This page is general information about California child custody procedure in Contra Costa County, not legal advice for your situation. Court locations, programs, and filing details change; always confirm current details with the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa or the official California Courts self-help resources. If your case involves domestic violence, abduction risk, or a child's safety, contact the court's self-help center or a licensed California family law attorney, and in an emergency call 911. Virdix is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney.