Child Custody and Visitation in Lassen County, California

Custody cases in Lassen County are filed and heard at the Hall of Justice, 2610 Riverside Drive, in Susanville. Susanville is the county seat and home to nearly all of the county's residents. The Superior Court of California, County of Lassen uses this single courthouse for every family law matter in this remote, sparsely populated county.

A custody request is part of a divorce, a legal separation, or, for parents who were never married, a parentage case. After the case is open, either parent can ask for custody and visitation orders using Form FL-300, Request for Order, with the FL-311 attachment. Family Code section 3011 requires the judge to decide based on the best interest of the child. The judge looks at factors such as each parent's ability to provide a stable, safe home, with no preference based on either parent's gender.

Lassen County is a recommending county under Family Code section 3170's mediation requirement. The court's own Family Court Services program says that if parents do not reach a full agreement, the mediator must send the judge a written recommendation. Both parents receive a copy of it before the hearing. Before mediation, you must complete an online orientation and an intake packet. Sessions generally run 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

Lassen County does not offer general e-filing for family law cases. The court instead accepts facsimile filings using a cover sheet, Form MC-005, along with a limited electronic delivery pilot under Local Rule 18.1. Self-represented parties can also file paper documents in person.

Where custody cases are heard in Lassen County

Custody and visitation matters in Lassen County are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Lassen, with the county seat in Susanville. Because courthouse locations, hours, and local Family Court Services or Child Custody Recommending Counseling programs 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 Lassen County Superior Court (official California Courts finder)

How custody is decided in California

California uses the same statewide rules in every county, including Lassen 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:

1. Open or use an existing case: a divorce (Form FL-100), a legal separation, or a parentage case (Form FL-200) for unmarried parents.
2. File a Request for Order (Form FL-300) with the custody and visitation attachment (Form FL-311) to ask the court for orders.
3. Serve the other parent and file a proof of service.
4. Attend the mandatory child custody mediation (Family Court Services), which California requires before a contested custody hearing.
5. 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 Lassen County.

Local notes for Lassen County

Every custody filing and hearing in Lassen County goes through the Hall of Justice in Susanville, so there is only one courthouse to use. Because the filing system relies on fax, allow extra time to prepare your cover sheet and confirm current fax filing fees, which run about $1.00 per page in addition to the standard filing fee.

Lassen is a recommending mediation county, so complete the required online orientation and intake packet carefully. If you and the other parent cannot agree, the mediator's written recommendation goes to both parents and the judge. Mediation sessions are held at the Hall of Justice or remotely. Confirm the current format when your appointment is scheduled.

The Access to Justice Center offers appointment-based help Thursdays and Fridays. Call or text (530) 251-3935 to join the callback list. The separate Family Law Facilitator line, (530) 903-5838, handles support-related paperwork on the same schedule. If domestic violence is part of your case, a DV restraining order (Forms DV-100 and DV-110) can include temporary custody terms, and DV requests are generally expedited. Call 911 in an emergency. The National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233, is available 24 hours a day.

Official custody resources in Lassen County

Hall of Justice (Superior Court of California, County of Lassen) handles custody filings, located at 2610 Riverside Drive, Susanville 96130. Phone: (530) 251-8205.

The filing fee is $60. Lassen County does not offer a general e-filing portal for family law. The court accepts facsimile filing with a cover sheet (Form MC-005), plus a limited electronic delivery pilot under Local Rule 18.1; self-represented parties may also file on paper.

Lassen County Access to Justice Center (https://www.lassen.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Located at 2610 Riverside Drive, Susanville. Appointments are Thursdays and Fridays; call or text (530) 251-3935 to be added to a first-come, first-served callback list. Services offered in English, Spanish, and other languages through interpreters. Local Rule 12.1, Child Custody Mediation (Lassen County Superior Court Local Rules, effective July 1, 2026) applies; see https://www.lassen.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-court-effective-july-1-2026.pdf.

• Lassen County Family Court Services
• Lassen County Self-Help / Access to Justice Center
• Lassen County Family Law Facilitator
• Lassen County Local Rules of Court

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Lassen County Child Custody FAQs