All meetings with the facilitator (other than for ex parte matters see below) are by appointment only. If you have children, please do not bring them with you to your appointment. Appointments are 30 minutes and there is a $25 fee for the appointment. Please arrive 10 minutes early for your appointment in order to complete the required paperwork.
Please complete your forms to the best of your ability PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT to make the most of your appointment time. The facilitator can help you with your questions to complete the documents.
The facilitators are located in the Family and Juvenile Court building. Please arrive 10 minutes early for your appointment in order to complete the required paperwork. Stop first at the Family Law Division of the Clerk's Office . Fill out the pink check in form on the right side of the Clerk’s Office counter. Then put the form through the slot in the window to your right.
Ex Parte Matters
If you need an emergency order because of an urgent situation (such as a restraining or custody order), need a fee waiver to file your case, or have an agreed order that does not require a hearing, you may present your order on the ex parte calendar.
All ex parte matters presented to the court by self-represented parties are reviewed by a Court Facilitator for completeness prior to presentation. Form packets are available for certain ex parte matters.
FJC Ex Parte calendar times are daily at 8:55 - 9:00 a.m. for non-contested matters, and 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. for contested or emergency matters.
Pursuant to LSPR 94.03C(c), Self-Represented Parties must have their paperwork reviewed by a legal professional before presenting documents to the Court at an ex parte calendar. A legal professional means an attorney, Limited License Legal Technician, legal aid volunteer, or courthouse facilitator.
If utilizing a courthouse facilitator, an appointment must be scheduled prior to the day of the intended hearing. Bring your completed paperwork to the Facilitator for review. It is recommended that you have copies of your documents made prior to meeting with the Facilitator.
There is a $30 ex parte fee due when you check in for ex parte. There is no fee if you are only asking the court to sign a fee waiver. If your case is not ready or you have to come back at another time, there is another $30 ex parte fee due for handling your case again when you return.
Depending on your situation, you may need to notify the other party in advance of your intention to seek an order to be signed ex parte. The Facilitator will advise you in this regard. In that event, you should have the other party's phone number available where you can reach him or her during the day.
When meeting with the Facilitator for ex parte matters, only those documents being presented ex parte are reviewed. If you are filing a new case or want the facilitator to review other documents prior to seeing the Court Commissioner, you will need to make an appointment.