2015: San Diego Court Holidays for Legal Separation, Paternity and Divorce Cases

The Court holiday’s, no matter whether you are involved in a divorce, legal separation or paternity case are listed below for the family law court houses in San Diego County. These include, for family law cases, the two court houses in downtown San Diego, the court house in Vista, the court house in Chula Vista and the Court house in El Cajon. It is important to note that only one holiday has two consecutive days [Thanksgiving and Day After Thanksgiving].

One main reason to know the court holidays is for service of motions and responses to motions and reply to motions as well as notice of lodgments for motions. Under Code of Civil Procedure Section 1005, there are strict rules for filing and service. Missing these deadlines can result in denial of relief requested or delays in the case. As such, it is very important to calendar properly. While divorce, paternity and legal separation are under the Family Law Code, the filing procedures are also under the Code of Civil Procedure. For example, all moving pleadings must be filed and served at least sixteen [16] court days {not calendar days and it is easy to get confused} before the hearing and add five [5] days for mailing. Responsive pleadings to filed motions must be filed and served at least nine [9] court days prior to the hearing. Reply pleadings must be filed and served at least five [5] court days prior to the hearing. Notices of lodgment are normally filed from ten [10] days to two [2] days before the hearing but should be served with the moving pleadings or responsive pleadings.

Another main reason is for planning. Some of the court holidays are not ones which are observed by all organizations. It is very frustrating to go to court only to find it is closed!

Filing and service can be challenging in and of themselves. The San Diego Law Firm of Doppelt and Forney, APLC has experience in filing and service. Their firm uses an attorney service for filing in all of the San Diego County Court Houses. They also can assist with the filing of the proof of service as well as other family law related tasks and legal representation. Please feel free to call and set up your free and confidential virtual consultation.