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

File a Request for Order in Lake County at the Lakeport Courthouse, 255 North Forbes Street, 4th Floor, Room 417, in Lakeport. Family law cases are heard in Department 1. Filers from Clearlake and other parts of the county use this Lakeport location.

Statewide notice rules apply. California Rule of Court 5.92 says the moving papers, Form FL-300, must 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.

Lake County says it is a confidential, non-recommending court for custody mediation. The Child Custody Mediation page says mediators do not make recommendations to the court after mediation. That is different from a recommending county, where the mediator's opinion can go to the judge. Mediation is free. The required orientation class is also free.

Remote appearances for family law hearings in Lake County use Zoom. The court publishes a Department 1 calendar that shows which hearing types may be remote, such as Family Law and Motion or Case Management. It also shows which hearings require in-person attendance, such as Family Law Settlement conferences. A Request for Order has the statewide $60 motion fee. The Self-Help Center in Clearlake gives free help with the required forms regardless of income.

Where hearings are held in Lake County

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

Lake County's Self-Help Center is at 7000-A South Center Drive in Clearlake. This is not the Lakeport courthouse where filings and hearings take place. Plan for the correct address based on what you need. Go to Clearlake for help with paperwork. Go to Lakeport to file and appear. The center takes walk-ins Monday and Wednesday. It requires appointments Tuesday and Thursday. It is closed Friday.

Lake County clearly says it is a confidential, non-recommending court. In custody mediation, parents can expect that what they discuss in mediation will not be sent to the judge as a recommendation if they do not reach an agreement. That is different from a recommending county.

For remote appearances, check the Department 1 calendar before your hearing date. Lake County decides remote access by hearing type. It does not offer one blanket remote option for all hearings. Family Law and Motion and Case Management hearings have been listed as remote-eligible. Family Law Settlement conferences have been listed as requiring in-person attendance. Local Rule 16 applies to any remote appearance. The court asks remote participants to log in at least 5 minutes early. Use your true name. Keep your microphone muted when you are not speaking.

The Self-Help Center also offers LawHelp Interactive. This online tool helps complete restraining order paperwork. It also helps with divorce paperwork. It can also help with guardianship and name-change paperwork. This may help people who cannot easily get to Clearlake or Lakeport in person during the posted hours.

Official hearing resources in Lake County

Lakeport Courthouse, Superior Court of California, County of Lake handles hearings filings, located at 255 North Forbes Street, 4th Floor, Room 417, Lakeport 95453. Phone: (707) 263-2374.

The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available through https://www.lake.courts.ca.gov/efiling. Lake County lists a dedicated eFiling page; the Self-Help Center page does not itemize whether family law RFOs are included, so confirm with the clerk.

Self-Help Center (https://www.lake.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. 7000-A South Center Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422, phone (707) 994-4612, email self.help@lake.courts.ca.gov. Walk-in Monday and Wednesday; appointment only Tuesday and Thursday; closed Friday. Free regardless of income. Local Rule 16 (Lake County Local Rules of Court (January 2026)) applies; see https://www.lake.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-january-2026_v2.pdf.

• Lake County Child Custody Mediation
• Lake County Self-Help
• Remote Appearance Information
• Lake County eFiling
• Local Rules of Court (January 2026)

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

Lake County RFO Hearing FAQs