Family Court Services

Family Court Services is a department of the Monterey County Superior Court that assists with child custody, parenting time, co-parenting and other arrangements related to children. Neutral mental health professionals work with parties to create custody and visitation plans, report facts that are important to the case, and investigate matters such as terminating parental rights, step parent adoptions, emancipation, and marriage of a minor. You must have a qualifying case open in the Monterey County Superior Court to use Family Court Services. See below for more information.

Child Custody Mediation and Recommending Counseling 

Child Custody Mediation and Recommending Counseling are free services to assist parties with arranging a plan for child custody, contact between the child and their caregivers, and other issues related to separated parents caring for their child(ren) cooperatively. Grandparent visitation and Guardianship cases may also participate in Mediation through Family Court Services.

Fact Based Inquiry 

When there are concerns about a child’s safety or when it seems the child’s voice should be heard, the adults may be asked to speak with the Family Court Liaison about participating in a Fact Based Inquiry. They must agree to the investigation process before the judicial officer can order it. The fee ranges from $350-$700 total, which might be paid in full by one party or shared by both parties in some way.

Termination of Parental Rights/Freedom from Parental Custody and Control Investigation 

If a party asks the court to end the parental rights of a child’s parent, the court will appoint the Family Court Services Department to investigate the request and write a report with a recommendation supporting or denying the petition. The fee for the investigation is $550.

Step Parent Adoption Investigation 

In Step Parent Adoption cases, the petitioner must choose someone to investigate their petition. The Family Court Services Department will be assigned if that is the Petitioner’s selection on their papers. The fee for the investigation is $450.

Marriage of Minor Investigation 

If one or two minors wish to marry prior to reaching the age of 18, they must participate in an investigation through Family Court Services and have the investigator write a report in support of the marriage to get permission from the court for the marriage license. There is no fee for the investigation at this time

Emancipation of Minor Investigation

When a minor wishes to emancipate (declare themselves free of the control of their legal caregiver[s]) they may be ordered to participate in an investigation through Family Court Services that will determine if their petition is reasonable.  There is no fee for the investigation at this time.

Have you recently moved or have a change of address? Please update your information by filling out form MC-040. Please submit to the court through an e-filing service provider (Attorneys are mandated electronic filers) or US mail.