Request for Order Hearings in Chico and Butte County, California

A Request for Order hearing in Butte County is filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Butte. The Family Law Division hears these matters at the North Butte County Courthouse, 1775 Concord Avenue, Chico, CA 95928. Request for Order matters go on the Family Law calendar under Local Rule 16. This includes requests to establish or change custody, visitation, support, or property orders.

To start, file Judicial Council Form FL-300 with any required declarations and attachments. The standard fee for a motion or order to show cause in a family law matter is $60. There is an additional $25 charge when the request seeks to modify or enforce a custody or visitation order, per the court's fee schedule. A fee waiver on Form FW-001 is available for those who qualify. Represented parties generally must file family law documents electronically through an authorized Odyssey eFileCA service provider. Self represented litigants are exempt from mandatory eFiling and may file on paper at the clerk's window.

Before a Request for Order is heard, Local Rule 16.9 requires the moving party to meet and confer with the other side. The parties must also exchange any documentary evidence they rely on. This can be done in person or by phone before the hearing date. If this step is skipped, the court can drop the matter from calendar, continue it, or issue sanctions. Butte County does not post tentative rulings for family law hearings. That is different from Civil Law and Motion and Probate matters. Parties should be ready to present their position in person or by remote appearance instead of checking an online tentative ruling before the hearing.

The court's Self-Help Assistance and Referral Program, known as SHARP, gives free legal information and blank forms to family law filers. SHARP cannot give legal advice or draft arguments. Confirm current hours, fees, and any procedural updates with the Family Law clerk's office before filing. Court procedures and forms can change.

Where hearings are held in Butte County

Family court hearings in Butte County are held at the Superior Court of California, County of Butte, with the county seat in Oroville. 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 Butte 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 Butte County

Family law cases in Butte County are handled only at the North Butte County Courthouse in Chico. They are not handled at the Butte County Courthouse in Oroville, which handles criminal, juvenile, general civil, and appeals matters. The Family Law Division's phone line is (530) 532-7008. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

When a custody or visitation dispute cannot be resolved by agreement, Butte County requires the parties to attend mediation through Family Court Services before a contested hearing. Butte County's Family Court Services program uses a recommending model. If the parties do not reach an agreement, the Child Custody Recommending Counselor submits a written recommendation to the parties, attorneys, and the judge under Family Code section 3183(a). The judge makes the final custody decision. Mediation appointments are currently conducted remotely using Zoom. They can be scheduled at the clerk's desk after a court appearance.

For parties who cannot appear in person, Butte County uses the CourtCall Remote Court Scheduler at rcs.courtcall.com. It connects approved remote appearances through Microsoft Teams. Remote appearances must be scheduled in advance. They generally require judicial approval where noticing rules apply. Allow time before your hearing date instead of trying to arrange a remote appearance at the last minute.

Official hearing resources in Butte County

North Butte County Courthouse, Family Law Division handles hearings filings, located at 1775 Concord Avenue, Chico 95928. Phone: (530) 532-7008. Butte County Courthouse at One Court Street handles Criminal, juvenile, general civil, and appeals; family law Request for Order hearings are heard at the North Butte County Courthouse in Chico, not here..

The filing fee is $60, plus an additional $25 if the request seeks to modify or enforce a custody or visitation order. E-filing is available through http://www.odysseyefileca.com/service-providers.htm. Electronic filing through an authorized Odyssey eFileCA service provider is mandatory for represented parties in family law matters. Self-represented litigants are exempt from mandatory eFiling and may file on paper at the clerk's window.

Self-Help Assistance and Referral Program (SHARP) (https://www.butte.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Offers free legal information, blank forms, and procedural education for family law, guardianship, eviction, small claims, and restraining order filers. Phone (530) 532-7015. Hours Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Staff cannot give legal advice. Local Rule 16 (Family Law) applies; see https://www.butte.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-january-2026-final-edit_san.pdf. Local Rule 16.9 (Meet and Confer Requirement) applies; see https://www.butte.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-january-2026-final-edit_san.pdf. Local Rule 9 (Custody/Visitation Mediation) applies; see https://www.butte.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-january-2026-final-edit_san.pdf. Local Rule 2.9 (Tentative Rulings) applies; see https://www.butte.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-january-2026-final-edit_san.pdf.

• Butte County Superior Court, Family Law
• Self-Help Assistance and Referral Program (SHARP)
• Family Court Services
• Remote Appearances (CourtCall RCS)
• Local Rules and Forms
• Locations & Contact Info

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

Butte County RFO Hearing FAQs