Los Angeles Family Court:
A Guide to Courthouses,
Filing & Local Resources
Most new Los Angeles family law cases can be filed at Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 North Hill Street, or in a district where either party lives. This guide covers courthouses, filing steps, fees, and free help.
Which Los Angeles family courthouse should I use?
For many new family law cases, you may file in the Central District at Stanley Mosk or in a district where either party lives. Special rules apply to some case types and certain San Fernando Valley ZIP codes. If your case is already open, use its current courthouse assignment unless the court directs otherwise.
Compare filing options ↓ · Find courthouse addresses & maps ↓
A clearer path through
Los Angeles family court.
When a family law matter brings you to court, knowing where to go and what to expect can make the process feel more manageable.
Family court in Los Angeles is part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Its Family Law Division handles divorce, custody, support, parentage, property issues and domestic violence restraining orders.
This guide brings courthouse addresses, maps, filing information and helpful resources together in one place. Use it to prepare, then confirm the requirements for your particular case.
Adoption, emancipation and juvenile dependency have separate assignment rules. Guardianships generally belong in probate, with exceptions for matters related to family law custody proceedings.
Choosing a courthouse
Your nearest courthouse
is only part of the picture.
For many new Family Code cases, Local Rule 2.3 allows filing in Central or in a district where a party resides. Special assignment rules can narrow those options. An existing case’s assigned courthouse also matters.
Your district
A district where you live may be an appropriate filing location, subject to the court’s assignment rules.
The other party’s district
The district where the other party lives may also be available, even if it differs from yours.
The Central District
Stanley Mosk is a countywide filing option for many family law cases, subject to special assignment requirements.
Source: Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rule 2.3, effective July 1, 2026 ↗. Confirm your location using the court’s Filing Court Locator ↗ and the family law clerk’s office.
Domestic violence restraining orders: safety matters.
The rule allows filing in a district necessary to ensure the requesting party’s safety. Confirm the correct filing procedure for your circumstances with the court or an attorney.
Nine ZIP codes have a special assignment rule.
For certain family law matters otherwise eligible for Central or Northwest, Rule 2.3(a)(1)(D) directs these ZIP codes to Central or North Valley:
Important exception: the provision does not affect matters arising from the portions of 91301 and 91302 within the West District. Do not use a ZIP code alone to determine the filing location.
Los Angeles family law
courthouse directory.
Browse courthouses by city, district or ZIP code. Select any map preview to open a larger map, or continue to Google Maps for directions.
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 ↗Countywide filing option, subject to assignment rules.
Chatsworth Courthouse
9425 Penfield Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311 ↗A key location for the West San Fernando Valley.
Van Nuys Courthouse East
6230 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91401 ↗Check the nine-ZIP-code exception before filing.
Pomona Courthouse South
400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766 ↗Confirm the assigned department on your court notice.
Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse
42011 4th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534 ↗Serves the Antelope Valley area.
Whittier Courthouse
7339 South Painter Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602 ↗Confirm filing services before visiting.
Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse
275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802 ↗The Long Beach family law courthouse.
Pasadena Courthouse
300 East Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 ↗Confirm the assigned department on your court notice.
Compton Courthouse
200 West Compton Boulevard, Compton, CA 90220 ↗Confirm filing services before visiting.
Torrance Courthouse
825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503 ↗Confirm the assigned department on your court notice.
Santa Monica Courthouse
1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 ↗Domestic violence matters; do not assume divorce filing is available.
Metropolitan Courthouse
1945 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007 ↗Department 65 family law services are handled at Stanley Mosk. Check your notice before traveling.
No courthouses match your search. Try a city, district or ZIP code.
Westside residents: check before filing a divorce.
Santa Monica’s family law listing identifies domestic violence restraining order services. Confirm a dissolution filing location with the court; proximity alone does not determine where your case belongs.
Addresses follow the Los Angeles Superior Court’s published list of family law courthouses. Confirm your location with the court’s Filing Court Locator ↗. Locations do not all offer the same services. Check your hearing notice, assigned department, building access and clerk’s hours before traveling. Older department totals are omitted because assignments change.
Chatsworth or Van Nuys family court?
For families in Woodland Hills and the surrounding Valley, these two courthouses are easy to confuse. Check the district rules before choosing the most convenient drive.
Chatsworth family court
Chatsworth Courthouse is in the North Valley District. It is a relevant location to check when the Northwest District ZIP-code rule directs a matter to North Valley or Central.
For residents in ZIP code 91367, including parts of Woodland Hills, the special rule can make Chatsworth or Stanley Mosk the appropriate options rather than Van Nuys. Confirm the precise assignment before filing.
Van Nuys family court
Van Nuys Courthouse East is in the Northwest District. Do not assume every San Fernando Valley family law case can be filed here; the nine-ZIP-code rule above redirects certain matters.
The Van Nuys Self-Help Legal Access Center is located in the East Building. Verify the service you need, current appointment arrangements and your courtroom before visiting.
Already have a case number?
A change of address does not by itself change your assigned courthouse. Use your current court records and hearing notice to confirm where an existing case is being heard.
For current location information, use the court’s Filing Court Locator ↗. Confirm the West District exception for portions of 91301 and 91302 when applying the ZIP-code provision.
Common courthouse mistakes
you can prepare to avoid.
Leon F. Bennett’s more than 40 years working within the Los Angeles family law court system inform the firm’s approach: understand the assignment, prepare the documents and plan the next step around your family’s needs.
| Before you act | A better preparation step |
|---|---|
| Choosing a courthouse only because it is nearby | Check district eligibility, special assignment rules and the type of case. |
| Using an old address or department listing | Compare the latest hearing notice with official court information. Keep the case number available when contacting the clerk. |
| Assuming filing ends the process | Plan for service, disclosures, response deadlines and the judgment process, as applicable. |
| Expecting a facilitator to choose a legal strategy | Use self-help for procedural assistance and ask an attorney about case-specific decisions. |
A courthouse decision is one part of a larger plan. Whether your concern is protecting time with your children, understanding support or addressing property issues, our team can help you consider the steps ahead.
How a regular divorce
case gets started.
The steps below describe the general path for a standard dissolution. Parentage, restraining order and joint-petition cases follow different procedures.
- Confirm eligibility and filing location.
Check residency requirements, district assignment and whether there is an existing case.
- Prepare the opening forms.
Regular divorce commonly begins with FL-100 and FL-110. FL-105 is generally needed when minor children are involved. Include required local forms.
- File and address the fee.
Use an accepted filing method and pay the applicable fee, or submit a fee waiver request.
- Arrange service and file proof.
Follow the service rules. Generally, a nonparty adult serves the opening papers; you cannot serve them yourself.
- Exchange required disclosures.
Complete and exchange the financial information the law requires. Disclosure and response deadlines matter.
- Resolve the issues and obtain a judgment.
Reach an agreement or seek court decisions, submit the required judgment papers, and satisfy the waiting period. Filing alone does not finalize a divorce.
For step-by-step instructions: California Courts divorce guide ↗.
Do you have to e-file?
| Your situation | Filing method |
|---|---|
| Represented by an attorney | Generally mandatory e-filing, unless exempted. |
| Representing yourself | Generally paper filing or voluntary e-filing. |
Exceptions apply to certain documents. See the court’s family law e-filing FAQs ↗.
Starting together:
the joint petition.
Spouses or domestic partners can begin together using a joint petition. They are listed as Petitioner 1 and Petitioner 2.
- Start with FL-700 and FL-710; additional forms may apply.
- You may work toward a full agreement after filing, but must agree on all issues to finish through this process.
- Financial disclosures and a final judgment remain necessary.
- Temporary orders are unavailable within the joint process; either party may revoke it.
- The divorce waiting period runs from filing the joint petition.
Summary dissolution is a separate, simpler option for qualifying couples.
Need help reaching agreement? Explore divorce mediation and collaborative divorce.
Plan for court costs
Los Angeles family court filing fees.
A useful starting point for budgeting. These are court filing fees; attorney fees and electronic service-provider charges are separate.
| Filing or request | Standard fee | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce, legal separation or nullity: first paper | $435 | Initial filing by one spouse. |
| Responding spouse’s first paper | $435 | When the other spouse appears in the case. |
| Joint petition (not summary dissolution) | $870 | Covers both petitioners’ appearances. |
| Motion or order to show cause | $60 | Exceptions and additional charges may apply. |
| Domestic violence restraining order request | No fee | Covered domestic violence filings are fee-exempt. |
| Fee waiver application | No fee | Ask the court to assess eligibility using FW-001. |
Source: 2026 Statewide Civil Fee Schedule ↗. For help with costs, see California Courts fee waiver information ↗.
Stanley Mosk or a district courthouse?
When more than one location is available, compare the needs of your case and the practical demands on your family. Department counts alone do not establish wait times or predict outcomes.
| Consider | Stanley Mosk / Central | District courthouse |
|---|---|---|
| Filing eligibility | Countywide option for many cases, subject to special rules. | Depends on residence, case type and assignment rules. |
| Travel & access | Plan for downtown travel, parking and transit connections. | Compare the actual journey for each party and counsel. |
| Case services | Confirm the relevant department and filing requirements. | Confirm that the location handles your type of matter. |
| Calendar & timing | Verify current scheduling. Neither location can be assumed faster from size alone. | |
You don’t have to start
without a roadmap.
Court self-help centers and family law facilitators offer procedural help. Services, eligibility and appointment arrangements vary by location.
- Get help identifying forms and understanding filing procedures.
- Ask what support-related assistance is available.
- Confirm appointments, hours and document requirements before visiting.
Staff cannot represent you or provide the same case strategy as your own attorney.
California Courts Self-Help Guide ↗
Los Angeles Law Library ↗
A little preparation goes a long way.
- Read the notice for the exact courthouse and department.
- Confirm whether you must attend in person or may appear remotely.
- Check parking, transit, security and accessibility arrangements.
- Bring the documents and copies required for your visit.
- Allow time for entry and finding your courtroom.
Family Court Services mediation questions: 213.830.0835. This is a mediation contact, not a general self-help appointment line.
Los Angeles family court FAQs.
Click any question to see the answer.
Which courthouse do I file for divorce in Los Angeles County?
The Central District is generally an option, or you may be able to file in the district where either party lives. Special assignment rules apply, including the Northwest District ZIP-code provision. Confirm your district and case type before filing.
Where is the Stanley Mosk Courthouse?
Stanley Mosk Courthouse is at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, in the downtown civic center. Use the directory map above to enlarge the location or open directions.
Can I file for divorce at Santa Monica Courthouse?
Santa Monica’s family law services focus on domestic violence restraining orders. Westside residents should confirm the correct location for a dissolution filing rather than assuming their nearest courthouse handles it.
How much does it cost to file for divorce?
The standard 2026 first-paper fee is $435 per spouse when each appears. A joint petition generally costs $870 for both petitioners; summary dissolution has a different fee. Fee waivers may be available.
Is electronic filing required?
Represented family law litigants generally must e-file, unless exempted. Self-represented litigants may generally file on paper or choose e-filing. Some documents are excluded from electronic filing.
How long does a divorce take?
For a regular divorce, California’s minimum waiting period is six months after service of the petition and summons or the respondent’s appearance, whichever occurs first. A joint petition starts its six-month period at filing. Required paperwork and a judgment are still necessary; the passage of time alone does not end the marriage.
Can I change courthouses after filing?
A transfer may be possible under applicable rules, but it is not automatic. Check the existing case assignment and discuss the basis for a transfer with counsel before filing in another location.
Can a self-help center represent me?
No. Court self-help staff can explain procedures and assist with forms, but cannot act as your lawyer. Check each center’s eligibility rules, appointment requirements, and services before visiting.
Local experience.
Personal attention.
For over 40 years, Leon F. Bennett has helped families navigate the Los Angeles family law court system. From understanding the filing process to preparing for litigation or exploring settlement, our team can help you consider your options.
Serving Los Angeles and Ventura County families
from Woodland Hills.
Official sources & useful links
- Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rules, Chapter 2 (July 1, 2026) ↗
- 2026 Statewide Civil Fee Schedule ↗
- California Courts joint-petition guide ↗
- California Courts divorce guide ↗
Editorial update: October 29, 2026. This resource provides general information. Court rules, fees, assignments and services can change; confirm current requirements for your case. Images are illustrative; the courthouse background does not depict a named court location.
