Updated August 2026
Request for Order Hearings in Davis and Yolo County, California
A plain-language guide to asking for a family court hearing in Yolo County, from the Request for Order you file at the Superior Court of California, County of Yolo to deadlines and what to expect, prepared without hiring an attorney.
A Request for Order hearing in Yolo County is filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Yolo. It is heard in the Family Division at 1000 Main Street, Woodland, CA 95695. Yolo County has one courthouse. Every family law Request for Order is filed and heard at this Woodland location. This includes requests about custody, visitation, support, or property. The court can be reached at (530) 406-6704.
To start, file Judicial Council Form FL-300 with any required supporting declarations. A motion or order to show cause in a family law case costs $60 to file. There is an added $25 charge if the request seeks to modify or enforce a custody or visitation order, under the statewide civil fee schedule the court applies. If you qualify, you can ask for a fee waiver on Form FW-001. Self represented parties can prepare and file a Request for Order online through the court's File @ Home tool. The tool asks questions and creates the paperwork. You can also file in person or by mail.
Yolo's local rules require family law matters to go through a mandatory settlement conference before trial under Local Rule 19.1. All parties and counsel must attend in good faith. Local Rule 19.2 requires each side to serve a written settlement proposal on the other side at least five court days before a contested trial date. Under Local Rule 11.2, the court posts tentative rulings online and by phone by 3:00 p.m. the court day before a hearing. A tentative ruling becomes final unless a party asks to be heard by 4:00 p.m. that same day.
The court's Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator's Office is on the second floor of the Woodland courthouse. It offers free information and form help to self represented parties. Staff cannot give legal advice or speak with the judge for a party. Before filing, confirm current hours, fees, and procedure updates with the clerk's office. Court practices can change.
Where hearings are held in Yolo County
Family court hearings in Yolo County are held at the Superior Court of California, County of Yolo, with the county seat in Woodland. 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 Yolo 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 Yolo County
Every Yolo County city is served by the same Woodland courthouse for family law matters. Davis, West Sacramento, and Winters use this courthouse too. There is no separate branch location. The Civil, Probate, Juvenile, Small Claims and Family line is (530) 406-6704. Window hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Self-Help Center offers walk-in help Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It also offers phone and live chat support on select days.
Custody and visitation disputes go through Child Custody Recommending Counseling. Family Court Services coordinates it at the same Woodland address. Yolo is a recommending court. Each parent must complete an online orientation and intake form before an appointment. If the parents do not reach an agreement in counseling, the counselor prepares a written report with recommendations for the judge. There is no confidentiality between the counselor and the parties.
Yolo County offers video remote appearances by department, not through one statewide platform. Each numbered courtroom has its own join link and passcode on the court's Video Appearance page. A phone connection directory is also available. Recording, broadcasting, or transmitting a remote hearing is prohibited. The court asks remote participants to dress and present themselves as they would for an in person appearance.
Official hearing resources in Yolo County
Yolo Superior Court, Family Division handles hearings filings, located at 1000 Main Street, Woodland 95695. Phone: (530) 406-6704.
The filing fee is $60, plus an additional $25 if the request seeks to modify or enforce a custody or visitation order. E-filing is available through https://www.yolo.courts.ca.gov/online-services/file-home-online-court-filing. Yolo offers a guided self-represented online filing tool called File @ Home that specifically includes a Request for Order (Family Law) pathway, in addition to divorce, parentage, and income and expense declaration filings. A separate eFile Court Documents portal is available for attorneys and authorized filers.
Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator's Office (https://www.yolo.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Located on the second floor of the Woodland courthouse. Offers free information and form assistance for divorce, parentage, custody, visitation, and support cases, among others. Phone (530) 406-6794. Walk-in hours Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; phone assistance Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; live chat available select hours. Staff cannot give legal advice or speak with the judge on a party's behalf. Local Rule 17 (General Family Law) applies; see https://www.yolo.courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/yolo/default/2026-04/Yolo%20Superior%20Court%20Local%20Rules%20Effective%2001-01-2023.pdf. Local Rule 18 (Child Custody and Child/Spousal Support) applies; see https://www.yolo.courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/yolo/default/2026-04/Yolo%20Superior%20Court%20Local%20Rules%20Effective%2001-01-2023.pdf. Local Rule 19 (Settlement and Trial of Family Law Matters) applies; see https://www.yolo.courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/yolo/default/2026-04/Yolo%20Superior%20Court%20Local%20Rules%20Effective%2001-01-2023.pdf. Local Rule 11.2 (Tentative Rulings) applies; see https://www.yolo.courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/yolo/default/2026-04/Yolo%20Superior%20Court%20Local%20Rules%20Effective%2001-01-2023.pdf.
- Yolo Superior Court, Family Division
- Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator
- Child Custody Recommending Counseling
- Video Appearance
- File @ Home: Online Court Filing
- Location & Contact Info
Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.
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Yolo County RFO Hearing FAQs
Where do I file a Request for Order in Yolo County?
File Form FL-300 with the Superior Court of California, County of Yolo, Family Division, at 1000 Main Street, Woodland, CA 95695. Yolo County has one courthouse. This Woodland location handles filing and hearings for every city in the county, including Davis, West Sacramento, and Winters. Self represented parties can also prepare and submit a Request for Order online through the court's File @ Home tool.
How much does it cost to file a Request for Order in Yolo County?
A motion or order to show cause in a family law case costs $60 to file. There is an added $25 charge if the request seeks to modify or enforce a custody or visitation order, under the statewide fee schedule the court applies. If you qualify, you can request a fee waiver on Form FW-001 when you file.
Is mediation required before a custody Request for Order hearing in Yolo County?
Yes. Yolo County requires parents in a custody or visitation dispute to attend Child Custody Recommending Counseling with Family Court Services. Yolo is a recommending court. If the parents do not reach an agreement, the counselor prepares a written report with recommendations for the judge. There is no confidentiality between the counselor, the parties, and the children.
Can I appear remotely for a Yolo County Request for Order hearing?
Yes. Yolo County offers video remote appearances through a join link and passcode for each department. The links are listed on the court's Video Appearance page. A call-in phone option is also available. Check the listing for the department hearing your case. Follow the court's dress and recording rules for remote participants.
Does Yolo County post tentative rulings for family law hearings?
Yolo County follows a tentative ruling procedure under Local Rule 11.2. Rulings for the next court day are posted online and by phone by 3:00 p.m. the day before the hearing. They become final unless a party asks to be heard by 4:00 p.m. that same day. The local rule's notice language is written for the civil department, so confirm with the family law clerk whether a tentative ruling will be posted for your specific hearing.
What happens before a contested Yolo County family law trial?
Local Rule 19.1 requires family law matters to go through a mandatory settlement conference before trial. All parties and counsel must attend in good faith unless the court excuses them. Local Rule 19.2 also requires each side to serve a written proposal for resolving the contested issues at least five court days before the trial date, along with current financial declarations.
This page is general information about California family court hearing procedure in Yolo 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 Yolo or the official California self-help center resources. Virdix is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney.
Hearing guides for nearby counties
Preparing for a hearing in Yolo County
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