Family Law
Family Court
Parties who need assistance filing any of the paperwork associated with custody, support, or protection can find assistance in our Self-Help center either through appointments or by walk-in.
Family Court Services serves parties who need to file for Dissolution, Separation or Nullity of Marriage; Establishment of Parental Relationship, Petitions for Custody and Support, Motions for Child Custody, Support, or Visitation, Support Enforcement, Guardianship of Minors, Adoption, or who seek protection from Domestic Violence, Civil Harassment, Workplace Violence or Elder Abuse.
Inyo Legal Self-Help Center
Address: 301 W. Line Street, Bishop, CA 93514
Phone: (760) 872-6240
Hours:
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. each day
Disclaimer: The Inyo County Superior Court has made every effort to provide accurate information at this website; however, inaccuracies and outdated information may be found here on occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
PLEASE NOTE: For dissolution of marriage or legal separation in California, there are only two legal grounds. The first is "irreconcilable differences", meaning that at least one party asserts that the marriage cannot be saved. The other reason is "incurable insanity" which, unlike irreconcilable differences, must be proven.
Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)
A dissolution of marriage, which is more commonly known as divorce, terminates the marriage and resolves marital issues including child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, asset and debt division (real and personal property), former name restoration, restraining orders, and other issues identified by the parties.
Summary Dissolution
If you and your spouse are in agreement that you want to divorce you may be able to obtain a summary dissolution. The criteria for a summary dissolution include:
- You were married for under five years,
- There were no children born during the marriage,
- You have very few community assets and debts.
Read more information about this option, which is less complicated than a regular dissolution of marriage.
Legal separation is similar to dissolution of marriage, except that the parties remain married to each other. The court may make orders regarding the same issues identified in a dissolution of marriage.
If you open a legal separation action, you may amend your petition prior to judgment to request a dissolution of marriage. That will allow you to "start the clock" on the waiting period for divorce (six months from date of service), provided that you follow some special instructions.
A nullity is more commonly known as an annulment of marriage. This may only be requested if a party alleges incest, bigamy, minor without parental consent, unsound mind, fraud, force or incapacity to consummate marriage.
Dissolution of a domestic partnership terminates the partnership. You must be a resident of the state of California, both parties do not have to agree to the dissolution and it takes a minimum of six months for this action to become final.
To obtain or modify family support orders, establish parentage, or enforce existing family support orders, the Department of Child Support Services is available to assist you. Information concerning this office is available at www.childsup.ca.gov.
Private and Stepparent: Before granting a petition for adoption, the court authorizes an investigation of the adoptive parents(s), regardless of whether they are related to the children or stepparents. Parties are required to pay for these investigations. Typically, the court will also consider petitions to terminate parental rights of the parent(s) who are relinquishing their children in this process.
Parties alleging domestic violence may file for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order. Domestic violence forms that you can complete on line are available here.
Electronic filing is available for Domestic Violence Restraining Orders and Gun Violence Restraining Orders.
- Domestic Violence and Gun Violence filings may be submitted by email as PDF to info@inyocourt.ca.gov. Please indicate whether you wish to have your filed documents returned to you by email or would like to pick them up at the clerk's office. For questions regarding electronic filing, please email info@inyocourt.ca.gov or call (760) 872-4518 or (760) 872-3038.
- Filings may also be submitted in-person at the Bishop or Independence clerk's offices Monday through Friday from 8:30am to noon, and 1:00pm to 4:00pm, by drop box located in either clerk's office, or by mail.
- Civil Harassment and other restraining orders cannot be submitted by email. They must be submitted in-person, by drop box, or by mail.
These are also called "paternity cases". The court may make findings of parental relationship in these matters that will have an effect on child support, visitation, and custody.
Even after marital and domestic partnership issues have been resolved, the court retains jurisdiction over issues that affect minor children in these proceedings until these children reach 18 years of age (or 19 years of age if still in high school). Parties may file motions to modify custody, support and visitation any time the circumstances warrant such filings.
A minor may petition the court for a declaration of emancipation if the minor is at least 14 years of age, willingly lives separately from parents, and managing his own personal financial affairs.