Family Court Services

Family Court Services Information Sheets

Joshua Tree District

San Bernardino District

Barstow District

Orientation Class Information

Family Court Services (FCS) offers an orientation class to prepare parents for Child Custody Recommending Counseling.

• Requirement: Both parents must complete this class before their counseling session.
• Purpose:
  • Explains the custody counseling process.
  • Offers tips on co-parenting and understanding children’s needs.
• Options: The class is available online
  • Click here for the class in English
  • Click here for the class in Spanish

Services Provided

FCS provides the following services:

1. Child Custody Recommending Counseling: Helps parents work out custody and visitation issues.
2. Relationship Counseling: For parents who want to work on their relationship.
3. Premarital Counseling for Minors: For people under 18 requesting a marriage license.
4. Guardianship Mediation: Helps resolve visitation issues in guardianship cases.

Child Custody Recommending Counseling

What is it?

• A process where a counselor helps parents agree on custody and parenting plans.
• If parents don’t agree, the counselor makes a recommendation to the court.
• This service is free and usually happens before the first court date.

How does it work?

• The counselor listens to both parents.
• Parents are encouraged to listen to each other and work together.
• The goal is to create a parenting plan that meets the children’s needs.

Purpose:

• Reduce conflict between parents.
• Create a parenting plan that ensures children spend time with both parents.

Parenting Plan:

• A written agreement about how parents will share time with their children and make decisions.

Who are the counselors?

• Licensed professionals with a Master’s Degree and experience in psychology, family counseling, or social work.
• They are trained in domestic violence, child development, substance abuse, and family dynamics.

Do counselors interview children?

• Children may be interviewed if:
  1. The court orders it.
  2. The counselor decides it’s necessary due to disagreements between parents.
• Children under 5 are not usually interviewed.

Other Counseling Services

Marriage or Relationship Counseling:

• Parents can request this, or it may be ordered by the court.
• Both parents must agree to participate.

Premarital Counseling for Minors:

• Minors under 18 need court approval to get married.
• A counselor meets with the couple to evaluate their situation before the judge decides.

Legal Terms

• Legal Custody: The right to make decisions about a child’s health, education, and welfare.
  • Joint Legal Custody: Both parents share decision-making responsibilities.
  • Sole Legal Custody: One parent makes all decisions.
• Physical Custody: Where the child lives and how much time they spend with each parent.
  • Joint Physical Custody: The child spends significant time with both parents.
  • Sole Physical Custody: The child lives primarily with one parent and visits the other.
• Joint Custody: Includes both joint legal and physical custody.
• Visitation: Scheduled time for a parent to be with their child.
  • Supervised Visitation: A third party must be present, often used when there are concerns about the child’s safety.