Updated August 2026
Request for Order (RFO) Hearings in Madera County, California
A plain-language guide to asking for a family court hearing in Madera County, from the Request for Order you file at the Superior Court of California, County of Madera to deadlines and what to expect, prepared without hiring an attorney.
File a Request for Order in Madera County with the Family Law Court of the Superior Court of California, County of Madera, at 200 South G Street in Madera. Madera County has one main family law courthouse. Filers from Chowchilla, Oakhurst, or any other part of the county use this courthouse, not a branch location.
The statewide hearing timeline applies. California Rule of Court 5.92 says a Request for Order, Form FL-300, generally 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. Ex parte requests in Madera County are heard in the assigned department Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m. They are separate from the regular noticed-motion calendar.
Madera County is a recommending county for custody mediation. Family Court Services says that if parents do not reach a full agreement in mediation, the mediator may give the court a full or partial recommendation on custody and visitation based on the child's best interest. In a confidential county, the mediator cannot make a recommendation to the judge.
A Request for Order has the statewide $60 motion fee. The court's Family Law Facilitator is on the first floor of the same courthouse. The office can help self-represented filers fill out the packet correctly. Its stated work focuses on child support and spousal support, plus health insurance issues. Staff do not give legal counsel.
Where hearings are held in Madera County
Family court hearings in Madera County are held at the Superior Court of California, County of Madera, with the county seat in Madera. 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 Madera 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:
- 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).
- 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).
- The responding party can file a responsive declaration, generally at least 9 court days before the hearing.
- Attend Family Court Services mediation first if custody or visitation is contested.
- Attend the hearing; some courts issue tentative rulings in advance, and some allow remote appearance by video or phone.
Local notes for Madera County
Madera County publishes its own Request for Order packet and updates it from time to time. The packet includes local cover sheets and the statewide FL-300 and FL-320 forms. Use the court's current packet instead of a generic template.
Family Court Services mediation in Madera is not free for everyone. An initial referral is free. A re-referral costs $100 per party. If a parent misses a scheduled appointment without canceling, there is a $200 no-show fee that cannot be waived. Referrals usually come from the judge at a hearing or from instructions given when the Request for Order is signed. Both parents then must contact the office directly to complete intake before an appointment is scheduled.
The court's Family Law Court page does not list a specific remote appearance platform. It also does not give a numbered local rule for meet-and-confer procedures before an RFO hearing. If you need either one, call the Civil Division at (559) 416-5525 or check the county's Local Rules of Court before your hearing date.
Official hearing resources in Madera County
Family Law Court, Superior Court of California, County of Madera handles hearings filings, located at 200 South G Street, Madera 93637. Phone: (559) 416-5599.
The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available. The Family Law Court page states DV restraining orders can be filed through an online link and directs general filing questions to the Civil Division; the page does not name a specific e-filing vendor for standard RFOs, so confirm current e-filing availability with the Civil Division at (559) 416-5525.
Family Law Facilitator / Self-Help Center (https://madera.courts.ca.gov/self-help/family-law-facilitator) can help with procedure and paperwork. 1st Floor, 200 South G Street, Madera, CA 93637. Hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Phone (559) 416-5520. Handles child support, spousal support, and health insurance issues specifically; can help obtain and review Request for Order paperwork. Madera County Local Rules of Court (Superior Court of California, County of Madera Local Rules) applies; see https://www.madera.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law-court.
- Madera County Family Law Court
- Family Court Services - Mediation & Investigation Services
- Family Law Facilitator / Self-Help Center
- Request for Order Packet
Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.
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Madera County RFO Hearing FAQs
Where do I file a Request for Order in Madera County?
File with the Family Law Court of the Superior Court of California, County of Madera, at 200 South G Street in Madera. This is the county's one main family law courthouse. Filers from Chowchilla, Oakhurst, and elsewhere in the county file here too.
How much does it cost to file a Request for Order in Madera County?
The statewide $60 motion fee applies under Government Code section 70677(a). The Family Law Court page sends filers to the court's Schedule of Fees for the current exact amount instead of listing it on that page. Confirm the fee before you file.
How much notice do I need to give before an RFO hearing in Madera County?
California Rule of Court 5.92 sets the statewide timeline. Form FL-300 generally 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. Ex parte requests are handled separately and are heard on weekday mornings at 8:15 a.m.
Is Madera County a recommending or confidential county for custody mediation?
Madera is a recommending county. Family Court Services says that if parents do not reach a full agreement in mediation, the mediator may give the court a full or partial recommendation about custody and visitation based on the child's best interest.
Does Family Court Services mediation cost anything in Madera County?
An initial mediation referral is free. A re-referral costs $100 per party. A missed appointment without cancellation has a $200 no-show fee that cannot be waived. Both parents must contact the office to complete intake before an appointment is scheduled.
Can I get help filling out a Request for Order in Madera County without a lawyer?
Yes. The Family Law Facilitator is on the first floor of the 200 South G Street courthouse. The office can help review Request for Order paperwork, especially for child support and spousal support, plus health insurance issues. Staff cannot give legal counsel about how your case should come out.
This page is general information about California family court hearing procedure in Madera County, not legal advice for your situation. Deadlines, local rules, and courtroom procedures change; always confirm current details with the Superior Court of California, County of Madera or the official California self-help center resources. Virdix is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney.
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