Family Law Facilitator
Getting Help From a Family Law Facilitator
A family law facilitator is an attorney licensed to practice law in California, who has been appointed by the superior court of a California county. Each superior court is required to maintain an Office of the Family Law Facilitator to assist self-represented persons with issues of child support, spousal support, and health insurance.
The basic duties of the family law facilitator related to child support, spousal support, and health insurance issues, include:
- Providing educational materials;
- Distributing court forms;
- Providing assistance in completing forms;
- Preparing child support guideline calculations; and
- Providing referrals to the local child support agency, family court services, and other community agencies
Getting Help
Anyone who is not represented by an attorney may use the services of a Family Law Facilitator. The services of the family law facilitator are not based on financial need.
Keep in mind, the family law facilitator does not represent you or the other party; however, both parties in a case may receive assistance from the same family law facilitator.
There is no attorney-client privilege between the family law facilitator and any person he or she assists. Matters discussed with the family law facilitator are not confidential. The family law facilitator is not responsible for the outcome of your case.
Preparing for your Visit
If you can, have all relevant court documents and papers with you when you visit or contact the family law facilitator, including the court case number(s).
If there is already an order or judgment in your case(s), bring a copy of it. If you do not have your court documents, you can get copies from the court clerk’s office for a small copying fee (about .50-.75 cents per page). If you do not know your case number, there are public computers available in the Self Help Office to search for cases and case numbers.
For help with child support, spousal support, or preparing forms to request a waiver of court filing fees, bring with you:
- Your three most recent pay stubs or the equivalent (such as bank statements showing automatic deposit of your paycheck, proof of unemployment income, other proof of income and expenses from self-employment, and so on);
- A copy of your most recent federal/state tax returns.
To find a family court facilitator office by county, visit the California Courts Self-Help Family Law Facilitators index.
To request an Interpreter or for other language access needs, go to: Requesting a Court Interpreter.
Frequently Asked Questions
A family law facilitator is an attorney licensed to practice law in California, who has been appointed by the superior court of a California county. Each superior court is required to maintain an Office of the Family Law Facilitator to assist self-represented persons with issues of child support, spousal support, and health insurance.
The basic duties of the family law facilitator related to child support, spousal support, and health insurance issues, include:
- Providing educational materials;
- Distributing court forms;
- Providing assistance in completing forms;
- Preparing child support guideline calculations; and
- Providing referrals to the local child support agency, family court services, and other community agencies
The Superior Court of each county may designate additional duties of the family law facilitator. These will vary from county to county.
No. The family law facilitator does not represent you or the other party. The family law facilitator is a neutral person whose services are available to any person who is not represented by an attorney. Both parties in a case may receive assistance from the same family law facilitator. There is no attorney-client privilege between the family law facilitator and any person he or she assists. Matters discussed with the family law facilitator are not confidential. The family law facilitator is not responsible for the outcome of your case.
No. The services of the family law facilitator are not based on financial need. Anyone who is not represented by an attorney may use the service.
Bring your three most recent pay stubs, proof of unemployment income, and a copy of your most recent federal and state tax returns.
If you can, have all relevant court documents and papers with you when you visit or contact the family law facilitator, including the court case number(s). If there is already an order or judgment in your case(s), bring a copy of it. If you do not have your court documents, you can get copies from the court clerk’s office for a small copying fee (about .50-.75 cents per page). If you do not know your case number, there are public computers available in the Self Help Office to search for cases and case numbers.
For help with child support, spousal support, or preparing forms to request a waiver of court filing fees, bring with you:
- Your three most recent pay stubs or the equivalent (such as bank statements showing automatic deposit of your paycheck, proof of unemployment income, other proof of income and expenses from self-employment, and so on);
- A copy of your most recent federal/state tax returns.
Basic forms, information, and procedures related to child support issues are available at any family law facilitator location.
Each superior court may have its own local rules and procedures depending on the resources available. Generally, the family law facilitator in the county where the action is filed or will be filed is best equipped to explain local procedures to you.
Some family law facilitator offices may have bilingual staff who can assist when available, but it is best to bring a person with you who speaks your native language.
To find a family court facilitator office by county, go to: https://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-facilitators.htm.