San Bernardino Family Court help families handle legal matters such as divorce, child custody, and support issues. These services provide professional guidance to resolve conflicts fairly. Parents and guardians can use mediation, evaluations, and recommendations from experts. The goal is to protect children’s best interests while supporting fair agreements.
San Bernardino Family Court also offer programs for parent education and financial assessments. Families receive neutral support that reduces court delays and tension. Experts assist in creating structured plans for custody, visitation, and support. These services make the legal process more manageable and practical for everyone involved.
How to Search San Bernardino Court Records
San Bernardino court search allows users to access family court records, including divorce, custody, and support cases, through official online portals. Users can check case status, court orders, and hearing dates, while understanding which records are public and which are restricted.
Official Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino website:
https://www.sb-court.org
Visit the Official Website
- Open your browser and go to www.sb-court.org.
- This is the official Superior Court homepage for San Bernardino County.
Access Court Case Information
- On the homepage, find and click “Court Case Information” or “Access Court Case Information”.
- This will open the online case lookup portal where you can search for records.
Accept Terms of Service
- Read the portal’s terms of service carefully.
- Click “Accept” to continue and access the case search tools.
Choose Your Search Method
You can search using:
- Case Number: The most direct and accurate method.
- Party Name: Enter the full name of the petitioner or respondent.
- Filing Date/Year: Filter by date when the case was filed.
Review Case Details
Once the search results appear, you can view:
- Case status (Open/Closed)
- Court orders and hearing dates
- Party names and filing date
- Some documents may be downloadable if they are public
Public vs. Restricted Records
- Public Records: Most divorce, custody, and support cases have basic information available online.
- Restricted Records: Some cases, like adoption, juvenile matters, or sealed orders, are confidential and must be accessed in person or with court permission.
What is San Bernardino Family Court System?
The San Bernardino Family Court System is a branch of the county’s judicial services that handles cases involving family law matters. It manages disputes such as divorce, child custody, visitation, and spousal or child support. These courts aim to resolve sensitive issues while protecting the rights of all parties and prioritizing the well-being of children.
The Family Law Division is the central part of the family court San Bernardino that oversees these cases. It processes filings, schedules hearings, and ensures that court procedures comply with California family law. The division handles:
- Divorce Cases: Property division, spousal support, and legal separation matters.
- Child Custody & Visitation: Establishing parenting plans and resolving conflicts.
- Support Cases: Calculating and enforcing child and spousal support obligations.
Family Court Services (FCS) works closely with the Family Law Division. FCS provides neutral evaluations, mediation sessions, and guidance to help families reach agreements before or during court hearings. Their reports and recommendations often inform the court’s decisions, ensuring arrangements are fair and in the children’s best interests.
It is important to note the distinctions between related offices:
- Family Law Facilitator: Offers legal information and assistance but does not act as a mediator or evaluator.
- Child Support Services Office: Focuses solely on establishing, enforcing, and collecting child support payments.
- FCS: Acts as an independent mediator and evaluator for custody, visitation, and family conflict cases.
Physical Location and Jurisdiction:
The family law court San Bernardino operates from several locations, including the main courthouse in San Bernardino city. These courts serve families across the county, covering all local jurisdictions within San Bernardino County Court. Individuals can attend hearings, mediation sessions, or request evaluations at designated facilities depending on their case type.
Family Court Services
San Bernardino Family Court Services provides a range of programs and support designed to assist families involved in legal disputes. Its primary goal is to help parents, guardians, and minors navigate family law matters with guidance, fairness, and professional support.
What Services Are Offered
Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) is the main service offered by family court services San Bernardino. During CCRC, trained professionals evaluate family situations and provide custody and visitation recommendations to the court. These evaluations consider the child’s well-being, parent-child relationships, and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs.
Other services include:
- Relationship Counseling Services: Supports couples experiencing conflict or communication issues.
- Premarital Counseling for Minors: Offers guidance for young couples seeking marriage, focusing on responsibilities and potential legal considerations.
- Guardianship Mediation: Helps resolve disputes related to guardianship, ensuring children’s best interests are prioritized.
These services provide families with structured support while reducing the need for prolonged litigation. By offering counseling, mediation, and professional recommendations, the court promotes agreements that are fair, balanced, and focused on children’s welfare.
Child Custody Mediation Process
Child custody mediation is a critical part of family court services San Bernardino. Parents involved in custody disputes must attend an orientation class, which explains the mediation process, expectations, and roles of mediators.
During mediation:
- Mediators meet with parents to discuss child-rearing responsibilities and visitation schedules.
- They recommend parenting plans that prioritize children’s stability and routine.
- Mediation sessions encourage cooperative communication and reduce adversarial conflict.
Best Practices for Parents:
- Attend the orientation class and understand its requirements.
- Gather all relevant documents, including financial statements and prior agreements.
- Maintain a respectful, child-focused attitude during sessions.
- Be prepared to consider compromise to ensure the child’s best interests.
Following these practices increases the likelihood of creating a successful parenting plan and minimizes court intervention.
Legal Terms Every Litigant Should Know
Understanding key legal terms helps parents and guardians navigate the court process more effectively:
- Legal Custody: The right to make major decisions about a child’s education, healthcare, and religion.
- Physical Custody: Where and with whom a child lives.
- Visitation: Scheduled time for the non-custodial parent to spend with the child.
- Joint vs. Sole Custody: Joint custody shares legal or physical responsibilities, while sole custody grants one parent primary decision-making authority.
Divorce & Legal Separation in San Bernardino
Divorce cases San Bernardino are managed through the family law court San Bernardino, which handles the dissolution of marriage and related matters. Residents seeking to end a marriage must follow specific legal steps while meeting state and county requirements. Family Court Services (FCS) plays a supportive role throughout this process, helping families address custody, visitation, and related concerns efficiently.
Dissolution of Marriage Process
The dissolution of marriage begins with filing a petition at the family law court. To qualify, at least one spouse must meet California’s residency requirements, typically six months in the state and three months in San Bernardino County. Key steps in the divorce process include:
- Filing the Petition: The spouse seeking divorce submits official paperwork outlining requests for custody, support, or property division.
- Serving the Other Party: The petition must be legally delivered to the other spouse.
- Response Filing: The other spouse has a designated period to respond to the petition.
- Temporary Orders: The court may issue temporary arrangements regarding custody, visitation, and finances while the case is ongoing.
- Mediation & Counseling: FCS offers guidance for custody disputes or spousal communication issues.
- Final Judgment: Once agreements or court decisions are finalized, the divorce is legally completed.
Legal Separation vs. Annulment
San Bernardino also handles legal separation and annulment, which differ from divorce:
- Legal Separation: Allows spouses to live separately and formalize financial arrangements without ending the marriage legally. It can include custody, support, and property agreements.
- Annulment: Declares a marriage null due to legal grounds such as fraud, incapacity, or underage marriage. Unlike divorce, an annulment treats the marriage as though it never existed.
Understanding these distinctions helps individuals choose the option best suited to their circumstances.
Family Court Services Support
FCS assists families during divorce and legal separation by providing:
- Mediation Services: Helping parents create child custody and visitation plans.
- Relationship Counseling: Offering support to manage conflicts and reduce stress during proceedings.
- Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC): Professionals evaluate family dynamics and submit recommendations to the court for custody arrangements.
These services often reduce the need for lengthy court hearings and promote agreements that prioritize children’s well-being.
Typical Timelines and Expectations
Divorce timelines vary depending on case complexity. Simple, uncontested divorces may take four to six months, while cases involving disputes over custody, property division, or support can extend up to a year or more. Parties should expect multiple court appearances, mediation sessions, and ongoing communication with court-appointed professionals. Being prepared and understanding the process can help families move through proceedings more smoothly.
Child Custody & Visitation Guide
Child custody San Bernardino decisions focus on the best interests of the child, ensuring stability, safety, and positive parent-child relationships. Courts consider multiple factors, including the child’s age, health, emotional needs, and each parent’s ability to provide care.
How Custody Decisions Are Made
Judges evaluate:
- Child’s needs and routine: Schools, medical care, and social activities.
- Parenting history: Ability to provide a stable environment and meet emotional needs.
- Child’s preferences: Older children’s opinions may be considered.
- Family dynamics: History of cooperation, conflict, or abuse.
The goal is to create arrangements that protect the child’s well-being while supporting a meaningful relationship with both parents whenever possible.
Types of Custody & Visitation
Custody arrangements vary depending on family circumstances:
- Legal Custody: Decision-making authority over education, healthcare, and religion. Can be joint (shared) or sole (one parent).
- Physical Custody: Where the child lives and the daily care responsibilities.
- Visitation/Parenting Time: Scheduled periods for the non-custodial parent to spend time with the child. Examples include:
- Standard weekly visits
- Holiday or special occasion arrangements
- Summer or extended vacations
Role of FCS Mediation
Family Court Services (FCS) plays a key role in resolving custody disputes without extended litigation:
- Mediation sessions allow parents to negotiate parenting plans.
- Professional recommendations may be submitted to the court if mediation does not resolve conflicts.
- Orientation classes prepare parents for successful participation.
Preparing Evidence for Mediation
Parents can strengthen their position by organizing:
- School records and extracurricular schedules
- Medical and mental health information
- Communication logs or documented parenting efforts
- Witness statements from relatives or childcare providers
Spousal Support (Alimony) Basics
Spousal support San Bernardino refers to financial payments one spouse may be required to provide to the other during or after a divorce. The purpose is to help the lower-earning spouse maintain a reasonable standard of living following the dissolution of marriage.
Temporary vs. Long-Term Support
- Temporary (Pendente Lite) Support: Paid while divorce proceedings are ongoing. These orders cover immediate needs such as housing, utilities, and basic living expenses.
- Long-Term Support: Determined as part of the final divorce judgment. Considerations include the length of the marriage, each spouse’s earning capacity, and contributions to the household.
How Court Orders Are Decided
Courts evaluate multiple factors when determining spousal support:
- Income and earning potential of both spouses
- Duration of the marriage and age of each party
- Standard of living during the marriage
- Child custody arrangements, if applicable
- Contributions to education or career advancement of the other spouse
The court may issue maintenance orders to ensure equitable financial support. Parties can request modifications if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as job loss or health issues.
Integration With Divorce Proceedings
Spousal support is usually addressed alongside property division, custody, and child support. Courts aim to balance financial responsibilities fairly, minimizing hardship for either party. Mediation or Family Court Services may assist in negotiating mutually agreeable arrangements, reducing conflict and litigation time.
Family Law Self‑Help & Resources
Family law San Bernardino offers self-help services to assist individuals who are representing themselves in court. These resources make it easier to understand procedures, complete forms, and comply with court requirements.
Family Law Facilitator Services
The Family Law Facilitator provides:
- Guidance on forms and filing procedures
- Clarification on court processes and deadlines
- General legal information (not formal representation)
Forms & Form Kits
Courts provide standardized forms and kits for divorce, custody, support, and visitation cases. These tools help litigants complete filings correctly and efficiently, reducing the risk of delays.
eFiling Process & Online Resources
San Bernardino County allows eFiling for family law documents, streamlining submissions and reducing in-person visits. Online portals provide:
- Case status tracking
- Filing instructions and tutorials
- Access to forms, calendars, and court notices
Orientation Classes & Resource Directories
Many families benefit from orientation classes offered through Family Court Services, covering topics such as custody mediation, parenting plans, and financial support responsibilities. Additionally, resource directories list community support services, legal aid organizations, and counseling options.
Locations & Contact Information
Finding the right San Bernardino family court locations and FCS office San Bernardino is essential for filing legal documents, attending mediation, or checking case status. Below is a detailed list of key offices, their addresses, phone numbers, hours, and local jurisdictions.
Main Family Law & Family Court Services – San Bernardino
San Bernardino County Superior Court – Family Law Division
- Address: 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415‑0245
- Phone: Family Law Office: (909) 521‑3136, Family Court Services (FCS): (909) 521‑3180
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
This is the central family law court and FCS office serving most areas of San Bernardino County. It handles divorce, custody, support, mediation, child custody recommending counseling, and other family law matters.
District Coverage: San Bernardino, Highland, Redlands, Loma Linda, Rialto, Yucaipa, Bloomington, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Mentone, Crestline, and surrounding communities.
Other Superior Court Family Law Locations
Fontana District Court
- Address: 17780 Arrow Boulevard, Fontana, CA 92335
- Phone: (909) 350‑9322
- Handles civil and family law hearings and filings for Fontana and nearby areas.
Joshua Tree District Court
- Address: 6527 White Feather Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
- Phone: Family Law: (760) 974‑3047, FCS Office: (760) 974‑3039
- Handles filings and hearings for eastern and high desert areas of the county.
Frequently Asked Questions
This family court FAQ section answers common questions about San Bernardino Family Court Services and related family law matters. It provides practical information for parents, guardians, and individuals involved in divorce, custody, and support cases.
What is Family Court Services?
Family Court Services (FCS) is a division of the San Bernardino County Superior Court that assists families in resolving disputes related to child custody, visitation, and other family matters. FCS provides mediation, child custody recommending counseling, and relationship support to help families reach agreements that are fair and focused on the child’s best interests.
How to Prepare for Custody Mediation?
Preparation is key to a successful mediation session:
- Attend the required orientation class to understand the mediation process.
- Gather relevant documents such as school records, medical reports, and previous custody agreements.
- Maintain a respectful and cooperative attitude during discussions.
- Be ready to propose flexible parenting schedules that focus on the child’s needs.
This preparation helps mediators create effective parenting plans and reduces conflict during the process.
Do I Need an Attorney?
You are not required to have an attorney for most family law cases. The Family Law Facilitator and FCS provide guidance and support to individuals representing themselves. However, hiring an attorney may be beneficial in complex cases involving contested custody, property division, or spousal support disputes.
How Long Does a Divorce Take?
The timeline depends on the complexity of the case:
- Uncontested divorces: Usually four to six months from filing to final judgment.
- Contested divorces: Can take up to a year or longer, especially if custody, support, or property division issues are involved.
Temporary orders may be issued during the process to address custody, visitation, and financial support until the final judgment is reached.
What Forms Are Required?
Common forms in family law cases include:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or Legal Separation
- Response forms for the other party
- Child Custody and Visitation Request forms
- Child or Spousal Support forms
- Parenting Plan forms (if applicable)
FCS and the Family Law Facilitator provide form kits and guidance to ensure filings are completed correctly.
How to Modify Orders Later?
Court orders, including custody, visitation, and support, can be modified if there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as changes in income, relocation, or the child’s needs. Modification requests require filing the appropriate forms and may involve mediation or a court hearing to review the changes.