The Family Law Facilitator: Free Professional Help in Every Courthouse

Every California superior court staffs an office whose entire job is helping unrepresented parents with support: forms reviewed, procedures explained, calculations run — free, by statute.

What California Law Says

Family Code section 10002 requires each superior court to maintain an Office of the Family Law Facilitator providing free assistance with support establishment, modification, and enforcement to self-represented parties — including document preparation help, guideline calculations, and procedural guidance, without becoming your attorney of record.

How to Collect, Step by Step

1. Locate your county’s facilitator office and its hours — walk-in and appointment models vary.
2. Bring the organized file: order, ledger, the draft RFO from the kit.
3. Use them for form review before filing anything — rejected filings cost weeks.
4. Ask for the guideline calculation printout for hearings; courts recognize their output.
5. Return at each stage — establishment, enforcement, opposition — the service has no visit limit.

Common Questions

Is the facilitator my lawyer against him?

No — the office is neutral and assists both sides, which is exactly why judges trust its calculations and forms.

I work during court hours. Alternatives?

Many facilitator offices run remote and self-help workshop options, and the kit’s guides cover the same document preparation the office would review.