Marin — FL059

Source: https://www.marin.courts.ca.gov/system/files/fl059-howtocompleteyourparentgecase-petitionern9-13nnputfl063onrevn-1.pdf

MARIN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 3501 Civic Center Drive P.O. Box 4988 San Rafael, CA 94913-4988

HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR PARENTAGE CASE Petitioner’s Guide

It is important for unmarried parents to have a Judgment that establishes parentage. Your Uniform Parentage Act (UPA) Judgment may include orders for child support, health insurance coverage, child custody and visitation, reimbursement of pregnancy and birth expenses, name change (by agreement), and restraining orders. You may need a Judgment before law enforcement officers or the court will enforce these orders. You will also need a judgment to secure benefits, such as Social Security, Veterans, or inheritance rights. To ensure basic fairness for both you (Petitioner) and your child or children’s other parent (Respondent), you must comply with various legal requirements. Here is an outline of the process.

Service: You must have someone else give the Petition Packet to Respondent, and that other person must complete a Proof of Service of Summons. You must file that form with the court.

Judgment: Although the court may make temporary orders soon after you file your Petition, your case is not complete until the court enters a formal Judgment. There are three paths to Judgment, and each requires different paperwork.

• True Default: Respondent does not respond to the Petition, and does not enter into a written agreement. Judgment is limited by what you request in the Petition.

• Default with Written Agreement: Respondent does not respond to the Petition, but does enter into a written agreement. Respondent’s signature on the agreement must be notarized.

• Response: Respondent does respond to the Petition, which prevents the entry of a default judgment. To resolve your issues and obtain a Judgment, you must have:

1. a written agreement; or 2) an agreement at a settlement conference; or 3) a trial.

Case Progress Conference: The court must keep track of its cases and make sure they are timely resolved. To assist people who do not have lawyers, the court has a self-represented Case Progress Conference calendar (CPC). At this informal hearing, you will update the court on the progress of your case. Court staff and volunteer attorneys will be there to help you through the procedural steps. You must come to court for your CPC unless 1) you obtain a judgment before the date set, or 2) you file a Stipulation to Continue the Case Progress Conference (local form FL007). Otherwise, if you fail to appear for your CPC, the court may set your case for dismissal. You may ask the court to schedule a CPC that is earlier than, or in addition to, any CPC’s scheduled by the court.

Note: You must keep the court and the other party informed of your mailing address. File a Notice of Change of Address (Judicial Council Form MC-040) to tell the court if you have moved. (see Family Law Resources on reverse)

FL059 HOW TO COMPLETE YOUR PARENTAGE CASE - PETITIONER’S GUIDE Rev. 9/25/13

MARIN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 3501 Civic Center Drive P.O. Box 4988 San Rafael, CA 94913-4988

FAMILY LAW RESOURCES

FROM THE COURT (FREE):

Legal Self Help Center (drop-in): Staff members will guide you through the required paperwork to complete your family law case. Located in Room C-44 on the court floor of the Marin Civic Center. (415) 444-7130.

Family Law Facilitator (drop-in): Assistance with child and spousal support issues and other family law matters. Mediation is available by appointment only. Located in Room C-44 on the court floor of the Marin Civic Center. (415) 444-7130, option 6.

Family Court Services: Provides child custody recommending counseling for parents who have a pending court date regarding child custody and parenting time.

Settlement Conferences: An informal process in which a judge and/or experienced attorneys meet with the parties and their attorneys, hear the facts and issues in dispute, and suggest a resolution that the parties may accept or use as a basis for further negotiation.

Websites: Go to www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp for statewide information and forms. Go to www.marincourt.org for local information (including referrals to counseling and parent education services), rules, and forms.

OUTSIDE OF COURT:

DCSS: The Department of Child Support Services is free for parents who want to establish, modify, or enforce child and spousal support orders. (866) 901-3212.

Family & Children’s Law Center: Legal advice and representation with fees on a sliding scale. Ask about FACLC’s low-income mediation program. (415) 492-9230.

Legal Aid: Legal advice and representation that is free for income-qualified individuals. (415) 492-0230.

Lawyer Referral Service: The San Francisco Bar Association LRS operates a Marin Annex that includes many of the lawyers from the Marin County Bar Association. Callers only need to state that they are seeking a Marin lawyer. (415) 989-1616.

Legal Documents Assistants: Look for licensed LDAs for help with forms and filings. Go to www.calda.org.

Mediation: A neutral professional helps both parties to resolve their issues without the court’s intervention.

FL063 FAMILY LAW RESOURCES 1/15/20