Request for Order (RFO) Hearings in Alpine County, California

In Alpine County, California's least populous county, you ask for a family court hearing by filing a Request for Order, also called an RFO, on form FL-300. File it with the Alpine County Superior Court at 14777 CA-89 in Markleeville. This is the county's only courthouse, and it serves a very small, seasonal population.

California uses the same notice timeline for a Request for Order in every county, no matter how small the county is. Under California Rules of Court 5.92, moving papers generally must be served and filed at least 16 court days before the hearing. The other party's response on form FL-320 is due at least 9 court days before the hearing. Alpine County follows these statewide deadlines.

Because Alpine County is small, some family law support appears to be shared with nearby courts. The Self-Help Center attorney and Family Law Facilitator staff serving Alpine County list contact addresses in both South Lake Tahoe and Placerville. That suggests coordination across county lines instead of a large staff based only in Markleeville.

Alpine County likely hears family law matters only as needed, rather than on a fixed weekly calendar. After you file, contact the clerk directly to confirm your hearing date, courtroom, and any required steps before the hearing.

Where hearings are held in Alpine County

Family court hearings in Alpine County are held at the Superior Court of California, County of Alpine, with the county seat in Markleeville. Because courtroom assignments, remote appearance options, and local procedures change over time, use the official California Courts court finder to confirm current details:

Find the Alpine County Superior Court (official California Courts finder)

How a family court hearing works in California

In California, a party who wants the court to decide something while a case is pending, such as temporary custody, support, or attorney's fees, files a Request for Order (Form FL-300). The core steps are:

1. File the Request for Order (Form FL-300) with a supporting declaration and, if support or fees are at issue, an Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150).
2. Serve the other party by the deadline the court sets, generally at least 16 court days before the hearing (California Rules of Court, rule 5.92).
3. The responding party can file a responsive declaration, generally at least 9 court days before the hearing.
4. Attend Family Court Services mediation first if custody or visitation is contested.
5. Attend the hearing; some courts issue tentative rulings in advance, and some allow remote appearance by video or phone.

Local notes for Alpine County

Alpine County's Self-Help Center attorney, Jennifer Peterson, helps people remotely by phone or email at (530) 545-1535 or selfhelp@alpine.courts.ca.gov. Help is not offered through in-person walk-in hours. A separate Family Law Facilitator, Lisa Kindel, and paralegal Jody L. Schutz provide free help with child support, custody, and divorce paperwork.

Staff serving Alpine County list office locations in South Lake Tahoe and Placerville. This suggests Alpine County shares some family court support services with nearby court systems, which is common for California's smallest counties. Ask directly whether your custody mediation, if needed, will take place in Markleeville or through one of these regional offices. Also ask whether the mediator's report to the judge is confidential or includes a recommendation.

Remote appearance is listed among Alpine County's online services. This may be a practical option because the courthouse is in a remote Sierra Nevada location. Confirm the current platform and sign-up requirements with the clerk's office well before your hearing date.

If the Request for Order filing fee would be a financial hardship, you can ask for a statewide fee waiver on form FW-001 in Alpine County, the same as anywhere else in California. The Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator can help you complete the fee waiver forms and your Request for Order paperwork before you file in Markleeville.

Official hearing resources in Alpine County

Alpine County Superior Court handles hearings filings, located at 14777 CA-89, Markleeville 96120.

No county specific e-filing portal for family law was confirmed during research. Confirm current filing options with the clerk's office.

Alpine County Self-Help Center (https://www.alpine.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Self-Help Center Attorney Jennifer Peterson provides assistance remotely by phone or email at (530) 545-1535 or selfhelp@alpine.courts.ca.gov. A separate Family Law Facilitator, Lisa Kindel, and paralegal Jody L. Schutz offer free procedural help with child support, custody, divorce, and related family law issues. Contact information for these staff lists addresses in South Lake Tahoe (1354 Johnson Blvd.) and Placerville (495 Main Street), which suggests Alpine County shares or coordinates some self-help staffing with neighboring courts given its very small population, though this exact arrangement was not confirmed in writing.

• Alpine County Self-Help
• Alpine County Superior Court
• Request for Order (FL-300), California Courts Self-Help
• Form FL-300, Request for Order

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

Alpine County RFO Hearing FAQs