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

In Riverside County, a hearing on a Request for Order (Form FL-300) is heard by the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside. Family law Department 5 sits at the Riverside Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside. Riverside County is large. It runs from the Inland Empire to the desert. Other justice centers in cities like Corona, Murrieta, and Temecula may also handle family law matters based on where you live. Confirm your assigned courthouse with the clerk before you file.

Local Rule 5110 says a Request for Order must follow the California Rules of Court. It also confirms that RFOs are subject to statutory filing fees. If you and the other party agree on every issue before the hearing date, Riverside has a local form for that. File the Stipulation re: Hearing Resolution (RI-FL010) to take the matter off calendar instead of appearing.

Riverside has broad rules for remote appearances in family law. Local Rule 5161 allows attorneys and self-represented parties to appear remotely at non-evidentiary family law hearings, including RFOs, without asking the court for permission first. You only need to give the other side informal notice before the hearing, such as a phone call or message. The court uses Zoom.

If your Request for Order includes a contested custody or visitation issue, Riverside requires Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) first. Some counties use fully confidential mediation. Riverside does not. If the parents do not agree, the counselor can make a written recommendation to the judge.

Where hearings are held in Riverside County

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

Riverside County covers a large area. Your RFO could be heard at more than one courthouse, depending on where you and the other party live. Check your assigned department before filing so you do not make a wasted trip. The Historic Courthouse in downtown Riverside has at least one family law department, Department 5. Do not assume it is your courthouse.

Local Rule 5161 makes remote appearance the usual option for non-evidentiary family law hearings. Plan to appear by Zoom unless the court orders you to appear in person. That may happen when physical evidence needs to be presented.

If your case involves custody or visitation, leave time for the mandatory online Parent Orientation Class. Both parents must complete it and bring proof before the CCRC appointment. CCRC in Riverside is not fully confidential from the court. If you and the other parent cannot agree, the counselor's written recommendation can be part of what the judge considers.

Official hearing resources in Riverside County

Riverside Historic Courthouse, Family Law Department 5 handles hearings filings, located at 4050 Main Street, Riverside 92501.

The filing fee is $60. E-filing is available. unverified: confirm current e-filing vendor/portal for Riverside family law with the clerk.

Riverside Superior Court Self-Help Center (https://riverside.courts.ca.gov/system/files/title5.pdf) can help with procedure and paperwork. Family law self-help resources exist countywide; confirm the nearest location with the clerk since the county covers several justice centers. Local Rule 5110 (Request for Orders) applies; see https://riverside.courts.ca.gov/system/files/title5.pdf. Local Rule 5155 (Child Custody Recommending Counseling of Custody and Visitation) applies; see https://riverside.courts.ca.gov/system/files/title5.pdf. Local Rule 5161 (Remote Appearances at Non-Evidentiary Hearings in Family Law Cases) applies; see https://riverside.courts.ca.gov/system/files/title5.pdf.

• Riverside Superior Court Local Rules, Title 5 (Family and Juvenile Rules)
• Riverside Superior Court Department 5 Rules (Family Law)
• Riverside Superior Court Remote Zoom Appearance Instructions

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

Riverside County RFO Hearing FAQs