• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

#JusticeBeginsHere Call us at
1-877-534-2524

  • English
  • Español
  • Tagalog
  • Farsi
  • العربية
  • Somali
  • 한국인
  • 简体中文
  • Vietnamese

Legal Aid Society of San Diego

  • Call us at
    1-877-534-2524
  • TTY
    1-800-735-2929
  • For Health Related Questions
    1-877-734-3258 (Consumer Center)
  • Monday - Friday
    9am to 5pm
Open MenuClose Menu
  • How We Can Help
    • Civil Appeals
    • Conservatorship Clinic
    • Mental Health and Substance Abuse Patients’ Rights
    • Consumer Protection and Bankruptcy
    • Name and Gender Marker Changes
    • Education Rights
    • Public Benefits
    • Restraining Orders
    • Family Law
    • SSI Benefits
    • Health Care and Coverage
    • Taxpayer Rights and Education
    • Housing Discrimination
    • Immigration
    • Walk-In Legal Clinics
    • CARE Act Program
    • Emergency Resources
    • Evictions and Housing
    • Resources to Stay HousedLink to Housing Justice Collaborative website
    • SSI for children
  • News & Events
    • Events
    • 2025 Masquerade Gala
    • Publications
    • News
  • About
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • 2025 Masquerade Gala
    • Ways to Give
    • Volunteer
    • Careers
    • Our Partners
  • Contact
  • Languages
    • English
    • Español
    • Tagalog
    • TIẾNG VIỆT
    • العربية
    • Somali
    • 简体中文 한국어
    • فارسی

Family Law

We provide legal advice and assistance with family law matters for eligible individuals who have 

  • Disputes over child custody
  • Survivors of intimate partner violence that have family law issues
  • Dissolution (divorce)
  • Parentage cases when there are child custody issues that need to be resolved. 
  • Court ordered visitation that is being frustrated by the other parent

How To Get Help

Call to speak to our intake team, Monday through Friday 9 am – 5 pm

Call 1-877-534-2524     |     TTY 1-800-735-2929

Or send an email using the contact form.

Or come in to one of our 3 office locations.

Family Law Information Session

The Family Law Team hosts a general information session open to the public on the first Thursday of the month at 10 AM. Until further notice, the information session is held virtually via Microsoft Teams. 

Free Family Law Information Presentation

Presentación Gratuita De Información Sobre Derechos De La Familia

Attendance is capped and advance registration is required. Please email FamilyLaw@lassd.org with the following information to register for a spot: 

  • Name 
  • Phone number (please specify if it is safe to leave a voicemail at the number you provide
  • Email address
  • Your language preference
  • The zip code in which you reside

Someone will then contact you with your specific appointment slot.

Please note that this is an informational session only. No specific legal advice will be provided to participants. For advice specific to your case, please call our main intake line at 877-LEGAL-AID (877-534-2524) to be screened for eligibility. There is no guarantee of assistance or representation. 

Self Help Resources

Obtaining Family Law Documents

If you already have a family law case open it may be helpful to have your most recent orders and any current filings available for your call with our family law team. If you do not already have these documents in your possession you can get copies of these documents from the courthouse. If your case is imaged and not confidential you can print them from any of the 4 Courthouse locations. Otherwise, you will have to go to the courthouse where the case is filed. There is a fee of $0.50 per page but you may qualify for a fee waiver if you complete and submit a Request to Waive Court Fees

  • San Diego County Family Law Facilitator’s Office [Family Self Help Center | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego]
    • can help you fill out family law pleadings.
  • Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinics [Domestic Violence Restraining Orders | Superior Court of California - County of San Diego]
    • LASSD: 
      • 500 Third Ave, Room 155, Chula Vista, CA 91910
    • SDVLP:
      • 1100 Union Street, 4th floor, room 416, San Diego, CA 92101
      • 250 E. Main St., Family Law Business Office, El Cajon, CA 92020
      • 325 S. Melrose, Adjacent to Civil Business Office, Vista, CA 92081
  • San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program [San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program | Pro Bono Legal Services (sdvlp.org)]
    • 707 Broadway Ste. 1400, San Diego, CA 92101
    • Call: (619) 235-5656
  • San Diego County Bar Association’ Lawyer Referral & Information Service [Find a Lawyer in San Diego (sdcba.org)]
    • 401 West A St, San Diego, CA 92101
    • Call: (800) 464-1529 
    • Their Modest Means Panel offers lower cost services to eligible individuals [Find a San Diego Family Lawyer | How Modest Means Works | SDCBA.org]

Helpful Information About Family Law

Divorce / Legal Separation
  • What is the difference between a divorce and legal separation?
    • A divorce ends a marriage. When a judge says the divorce is final, each spouse is considered a single person and either can remarry.
    • A legal separation does not end a marriage. When a judge says the legal separation is final, the spouses are still married and neither may marry another person.
  • What are the similarities between a divorce and legal separation?
    • Whether you are filing for a divorce or legal separation, you can ask the court to make orders on custody/visitation, child support, spousal support, division of property and debts.
  • Are there any requirements in filing for divorce or legal separation?
    • If you are filing for divorce, you must have lived in the state of California for at least 6 months and in the county of San Diego for at least 3 months before filing for divorce. This is called the residency requirement.
    • If you are filing for a legal separation, there is no residency requirement.
  • Who may start a divorce or legal separation?
    • Either spouse may start a petition for divorce or legal separation.

For additional information regarding divorce in California please visit the self-help guide from the California Courts: Divorce in California | California Courts | Self Help Guide.

Petition to Establish a Parental Relationship
  • Why should I start a paternity petition?
    • If a child is born outside of a marriage, a “petition to establish a parental relationship” establishes a legal bond between the child and its parents.
    • A “judgment of parental relationship” may be necessary for child support, child custody and visitation orders, or some benefits, like certain Social Security benefits.
  • Who may start a petition to establish a parental relationship?
    • Either parent may start a petition to establish a parental relationship.
    • In some instances, the County of San Diego may start a petition to establish a parental relationship in order to start a child support order.

For additional information regarding parentage cases in California please visit the self-help guide from the California Courts Parentage (Paternity) - paternity_famlaw_selfhelp (ca.gov)

​Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DV-TRO)
  • Who can file for a DV-TRO?
    • Anyone who has experienced abuse from a person with whom they have a “close relationship” like a spouse, significant other (boyfriend/girlfriend), or specific family members (parent, child, sibling).
  • What is abuse?
    • Physically hurting or trying to hurt someone, intentionally or recklessly;
    • Sexual assault;
    • Making someone reasonably afraid that they or someone else are about to be seriously hurt (like threats or promises to harm someone); OR
    • Behavior like harassing, stalking, threatening, or hitting someone; disturbing someone’s peace; or destroying someone’s personal property.
  • If I file for DV-TRO against my partner, what orders can I ask the court to make about our child?
    • You may ask the court to make orders about custody, visitation and child support.
    • The Court may order you and your partner to attend mediation to figure out a parenting plan that will include legal custody, physical custody and visitation.

For additional information regarding domestic violence restraining orders in California please visit the self-help guide from the California Courts Domestic Violence - dv_abuse_selfhelp (ca.gov)

​More Questions
  • Where should I file my case?
    • You should start your petition in the court that your zip code is assigned to.
    • ADM-254 Zip Code List (ca.gov)
  • Is there a fee for filing a petition?
    • Yes, there is a filing fee when you are starting a case and when you are answering a case.
    • But, you may fill out an application to see if you qualify for a fee waiver. If approved, you do not have to pay any filing fees.

See the self-help guide for more information: Fee Waivers - getting_started_selfhelp (ca.gov)

Common Words You Will Hear In Family Court

Community Property/Community Assets/Community Debts - any asset or debt acquired by either spouse from the date of marriage to the date of separation, unless received as a gift or inheritance. 

Dissolution of Marriage - means the same as divorce. It is the process by which a marriage is ended in the state of California. 

Establishment of Parental Relationship – establishes a legal relationship between a parent and child, often referred to as a “paternity judgment.” 

Judgment - is a court document letting you know that the case is done. Some examples of judgments are a Judgment Establishing a Parental Relationship or a Judgment of Dissolution.  

Legal Custody - the right to make decisions about a child’s health, education and welfare. 

Mediation/Family Court Services - an informal meeting involving a child’s parents and the mediator to discuss a parenting plan for the child and which parent should have legal/physical custody of the child and who should have visitation. 

Request for Order (RFO) - a motion for temporary orders before trial, such as child custody/visitation, child support and spousal support. An RFO can also be filed after a judgment to modify or enforce orders. 

Petition - the legal document to start a case. 

Petitioner - the person who starts a case by filing the petition. 

Physical Custody – describes the way the parents share time with the child(ren). The person with whom the children live with most of the time has “physical custody” and the other parent is the non-custodial parent. 

Respondent - the party who “responds” to, or answers, a petition. 

Response - the legal document to answer a case. 

Separate Property - any property acquired before marriage, after separation, or gifts/ inheritances. 

Summons - is the legal document letting you know that you have been sued, and your rights and duties upon filing or being served with the summons. 

Visitation - the non-custodial parent’s time with the child. 

Request a Presentation

Our staff give presentations on a variety of issues to community groups, service providers, and others in low-income communities.

Presentation Request Form

Volunteer to Help

We can always use volunteer assistance. Please contact our pro bono team for opportunities!

Volunteer

Legal Aid Society: Site Footer Logo

VISIT ONE OF OUR OFFICES
Southeast San Diego
Midtown San Diego
North County San Diego
Open M-F 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

CALL US
For legal help: 1-877-534-2524
For health related issues: 1-877-734-3258
TTY: 1-800-735-2929

FOLLOW US
dashicons-facebook-alt dashicons-instagram dashicons-linkedin dashicons-youtube

#JusticeBeginsHere

Legal Aid Society of San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit recognized by the IRS. Tax identification number: 95-1869806

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Web Accessibility | Site Map

© 2025 Legal Aid Society of San Diego. All rights reserved. Design by TinyFrog Technologies