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

In Kings County, file a Request for Order with the Family Law Division, Department 4, of the Superior Court of California, County of Kings. The courthouse is at 1640 Kings County Drive in Hanford. This courthouse handles family law matters for the whole county, so filers from Lemoore, Corcoran, Avenal, and other Kings County communities file and appear there.

The statewide timing rules apply to any RFO hearing. California Rule of Court 5.92 requires the moving papers, Form FL-300, to be served and filed at least 16 court days before the hearing. A Responsive Declaration, Form FL-320, is due at least 9 court days before the hearing if the other party wants to respond. Kings County follows this same schedule.

Kings County has required e-filing for all family law case types since July 1, 2021. Self-represented parties are exempt from that requirement and may still file on paper. Remote appearance for certain family law matters is available through CourtCall with prior judicial approval. Readiness and settlement conferences and trial calls still require an in-person appearance, and the requesting party pays the CourtCall fee.

Kings County is a recommending county for custody mediation. Its Child Custody Recommending Counselor program says that when parents cannot agree, the counselor makes a recommendation to the parents and the court based on the children's best interest. A Request for Order has the statewide $60 motion fee. The county's Self-Help Center can help with the paperwork, but cannot give legal counsel.

Where hearings are held in Kings County

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

The Kings County Self-Help Center, also called the Family Law Facilitator, is in the same courthouse at 1640 Kings County Drive. Call the main courthouse line at 559-582-1010 and choose option 8. The center helps self-represented filers complete Request for Order paperwork in person, by appointment, by phone, or by email. Staff cannot give legal counsel or appear in court for anyone.

Kings County requires Family Court Services documents to be filed at least 10 days before a scheduled appointment. The recommending counselor's program also requires an online orientation before the mediation session. Parents with a custody-related RFO should plan for more time than the filing deadline alone may suggest. Formal or review sessions with the recommending counselor cost $200 total, split $100 per parent. A missed appointment without 48 hours' notice has the same $200 fee.

For a remote appearance in a family law matter, Kings County uses CourtCall at (888) 882-6878. You need judicial approval in advance. Check with Department 4 or the clerk's office to confirm whether your specific RFO hearing qualifies before you assume you can appear by phone. Call before going to file in person, since the courthouse serves the whole county and lines can build up around the self-help window during busy times.

Official hearing resources in Kings County

Family Law Division (Department 4), Superior Court of California, County of Kings handles hearings filings, located at 1640 Kings County Drive, Hanford 93230. Phone: 559-582-1010.

The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available through https://www.kings.courts.ca.gov/online-services/online-case-filing. Electronic filing has been mandatory in all family law case types since July 1, 2021; self-represented parties are exempt from the mandatory requirement but may e-file voluntarily.

Kings County Self-Help Center (also called the Family Law Facilitator) (https://www.kings.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Located at 1640 Kings County Drive, Hanford, CA 93230. Reach the center at 559-582-1010, option 8. Staff can help complete forms in person, by appointment, by email, or by phone, but cannot give legal counsel or represent anyone in court. Kings County Local Rules of Court (Superior Court of California, County of Kings Local Rules of Court) applies; see https://www.kings.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/kingscountylocalrules_01-01-26_final_updated-1.pdf.

• Kings County Family Court Services
• Child Custody Recommending Counselor
• Kings County Self-Help Center
• Request for Order Packet
• Online Case Filing
• Court Calls (Remote Appearance)

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

Kings County RFO Hearing FAQs