These tools are designed to address legal issues that abuse survivors often face in California. FVAP’s legal resources are free for survivors of domestic violence/intimate partner abuse and the people who support them; California nonprofit employees; California legal aid employees; private attorneys currently representing a survivor of domestic violence pro bono in California; members of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence; and members of Legal Aid Association of California. For questions or comments on these materials, email training@fvaplaw.org.
Please note: Resources are specific to California law only. The law is constantly changing, so all information should be verified before relying on it. Viewing these materials does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between you and FVAP.
Anything submitted to a court in California, whether at trial or on appeal, must conform to one of the following 2 writing styles. (Required by California Rules of Court, rule 1.200) (1) The California Style Manual (CSM), fourth edition, which is available for free online thanks to Sixth District Appellate Program, a private law firm. (2) The Bluebook, which may be available at your local law library. Information on key differences between these 2 styles is available here thanks to the UCLA Writing Center.
FVAP’s Case Alerts (Practice Tips for New Case Law) Include:
- McCord v. Smith: Coercive Controlling Behavior is Abuse that Justifies Issuing a Restraining Order
- In re J.M.: Guidance on Rebutting WIC §388 Presumption where Domestic Violence is Sole Basis for Dependency Petition
- Nicole G. v. Braithwaite: Requesting an Abuser Move Out as Part of Restraining Order
- Garcia v. Escobar: Domestic Violence Restraining Orders Issued in Juvenile Court Can Be Renewed by the Family Court
- Hogue v. Hogue: Remote Domestic Abuse Is a Basis for Personal Jurisdiction Over an Out-of-State Person in a Domestic Violence Prevention Act Case
- In re Bruno M. et al.: Guidance for Making Children Protected Parties in a Juvenile Court Restraining Order & Using Children’s Exposure to Domestic Violence and Threats of Abduction as a Basis to Request a Restraining Order
- In re Marriage of Davila and Mejia: A Petitioner Can Testify to Specific Incidents of Abuse at a DVRO Hearing When Their DVRO Request Includes General Allegations of Abuse
- Jaime G. v. H.L.: When Granting Joint or Sole Custody to a Domestic Abuser, Trial Courts Must Address All 7 Rebuttal Factors in Writing or on the Record
- Jameson v. Desta: All California Trial Courts Are Required to Provide Court Reporters Free of Charge to Low-Income People with a Fee Waiver
- In re Marriage of Kumar: Immigrants Can Now Enforce Financial Support Obligations in Family Court
- Melissa G. v. Raymond M.: Mutual Domestic Violence Restraining Orders Do Not Need to Be Based on the Same Incident of Abuse
- Molinaro v. Molinaro: Guidance for Requesting Orders on Social Media Use and other Speech in Domestic Violence Cases
- N.T. v. H.T.: A Violation of Temporary Restraining Order Qualifies as Abuse Under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act
- Priscila N. v. Leonardo G.: Domestic Violence Restraining Orders Issued by a Juvenile Court Can Be Renewed in Family Court
- Rybolt v. Riley: Guidance for Trial Courts in Fashioning Safe Parenting Plans and Understanding the Potential for Intimate Partner Abuse at Child’s Extracurricular Activities
- S.Y. v. Superior Court: When custody is granted to an abuser with a prohibited reason for custody rulings
- Tanguilig v. Valdez: Definition of “good cause” for adding family or household members to a restraining order
