Request for Order Hearings in Modesto and Stanislaus County, California

In Stanislaus County, you file a Request for Order at the Family Law Clerk's Office at 1100 I Street in Modesto. The clerk gives you a hearing date when you file. Custody and visitation matters are set on the 8:30, 9:30, or 10:30 a.m. calendars Monday through Thursday. Financial matters, such as child support, are usually set at 9:00 a.m. on the same weekdays, often about two weeks after any related custody hearing.

Stanislaus has a local meet and confer rule for most Requests for Order. Local Rule 7.11 requires each party, or their attorney, to meet and confer in person or by phone before the hearing date for any family law Request for Order, motion, or hearing, except in domestic violence matters. The parties must make a good faith effort to settle any issues they can. The rule refers to California Rules of Court, rule 5.98(a) and Family Code section 271. If a party does not comply, the court may continue the hearing or, after notice, impose sanctions.

After the court sets the hearing date, the statewide notice and response deadlines apply. California Rules of Court, rule 5.92 requires service on the other party at least 16 court days before the hearing. A response on Form FL-320 is due 9 court days before the hearing. Stanislaus also uses tentative rulings for some family law motions. The court posts them daily at 3:30 p.m. the day before the hearing. Custody requests are not included because they go through mediation instead.

Self-represented parties can get help with forms and procedure from the county's Self-Help Center. The center also offers virtual workshops. Staff cannot draft your declarations or tell you what a judge will decide.

Where hearings are held in Stanislaus County

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

If your case has a contested custody or visitation issue, Stanislaus requires Child Custody Recommending Counseling before the judge decides those issues. Information from the sessions is treated as confidential within the court system. If the parents cannot agree, the counselor reports a recommendation directly to the judge after both parties return to the courtroom after the assessment meeting. You must complete the mandatory online orientation and worksheet before your custody hearing date.

Remote appearance in Stanislaus is by telephone, not video. You must submit Remote Appearance forms RA-010 and RA-020 in advance. If the court approves your request, the RA-020 form will be marked 'Granted' and will list a direct phone number for your assigned department. Call that number on the day of the hearing. You cannot call the court that day and expect to be connected if you did not get approval first.

The filing fee for a standard Request for Order in Stanislaus is generally $60, consistent with the statewide fee under Government Code section 70617(a). The court's family law page points to the statewide fee schedule instead of listing a county-specific number, so confirm the fee with the clerk. If you cannot pay, you can ask for a fee waiver using Form FW-001.

Official hearing resources in Stanislaus County

Stanislaus County Superior Court, Family Law Clerk's Office handles hearings filings, located at 1100 I Street, Modesto 95354. Phone: (209) 530-3100.

The filing fee is $435. E-filing is available through https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/e-filing. Check the e-filing page for current vendor and requirements.

Self-Help Center (https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/self-help/self-help-center-info) can help with procedure and paperwork. Assists self-represented parties with family law forms and procedure; also runs virtual workshops. Local Rule 7.11 (Mandatory Settlement Efforts (Meet and Confer Obligation)) applies; see https://www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules_-effective-07012026.pdf.

• Stanislaus County Family Law Division
• Stanislaus County Child Custody Assessment (CCRC)
• Stanislaus County Remote Appearances
• Stanislaus County Family Law Tentative Rulings
• Stanislaus County Self-Help Center
• California Rules of Court, rule 5.92

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

Stanislaus County RFO Hearing FAQs