A

ATROs: Automatic Temporary Restraining Orders

Standard restraining orders that automatically go into effect when a petition for dissolution, legal separation, or nullity is filed and served. ATROs prevent both spouses from transferring property, changing insurance beneficiaries, or taking children out of state without court permission or the other party’s written consent. See Family Code §2040(a)(2).

C

CCRC: Child Custody Recommending Counseling

A mandatory mediation session with a court appointed counselor that takes place before a custody or visitation hearing. Formerly known simply as mediation, CCRC may also involve the counselor making a recommendation to the court, depending on the county.

CPS: Child Protective Services

The county agency responsible for investigating reports of child abuse or neglect. CPS involvement in a family law case can significantly impact custody and visitation orders.

D

DOS: Date of Separation

The critical date that determines when community property accumulation ends and separate property begins. The DOS is established when one spouse communicates to the other their intent to end the marriage, accompanied by conduct consistent with that intent. Defined under Family Code §70.

DOR: Declaration of Disclosure

The umbrella term for the mandatory financial disclosures in a dissolution or legal separation case, including both the Preliminary and Final Declaration of Disclosure (FL-140).

DCSS: Department of Child Support Services

The California state agency that oversees the child support program. DCSS and its local counterparts, the Local Child Support Agencies (LCSAs), can establish, enforce, and modify child support orders. See Family Code §17400.

DA: District Attorney, Family Support Division

The county DA’s office can establish parentage and enforce child support orders through its Family Support Division, often referred to as the local child support agency.

DV: Domestic Violence

Physical abuse, threats, stalking, harassment, sexual assault, or other abusive behavior by a person in a qualifying relationship with the victim. See Family Code §6203 through §6211.

DVPA: Domestic Violence Prevention Act

The California statutory scheme (Family Code §6200 through §6389) that provides for protective orders and related relief for victims of domestic violence.

DVRO: Domestic Violence Restraining Order

A protective order issued under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (Family Code §6300 et seq.) that can include stay away orders, custody provisions, and other protections for victims of domestic violence.

E

EPO: Emergency Protective Order

A short term protective order issued by a law enforcement officer, usually after reporting to the scene of a domestic violence incident, that lasts approximately five to seven business days.

F

FCS: Family Court Services

The division of the superior court that provides custody mediation and counseling services.

FL: Family Law Form Prefix

The prefix for Judicial Council family law forms. For example, Petition (FL-100) is the Petition, Response (FL-120) is the Response, and Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) is the Income and Expense Declaration.

FLF: Family Law Facilitator

A court-employed attorney who provides free help to self represented litigants with family law matters. A Family Law Facilitator is available in every California county. See Family Code §10000 through §10015.

FW: Fee Waiver

A court approved request that waives filing fees and other court costs for qualified litigants. Fee waiver forms include Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001) through FW-012.

FOAH: Findings and Order After Hearing

The court’s written findings and orders issued after a hearing on a Request for Order or other motion. The FOAH is typically prepared on Findings and Order After Hearing (FL-340) form.

G

GAL: Guardian Ad Litem

An adult appointed by the court to represent the interests of a minor child or an incapacitated adult in a legal proceeding.

I

IOLTA: Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account

A trust account where attorneys hold client funds until earned or disbursed. Interest earned on IOLTA accounts supports legal programs across California.

L

LSRA: Limited-Scope Representation Agreement

A written agreement defining the specific tasks an attorney will handle in a limited-scope (unbundled) representation arrangement. The LSRA establishes clear boundaries around which parts of the case the attorney will and will not assist with.

LCSA: Local Child Support Agency

The county level office that establishes, enforces, and modifies child support orders as part of California’s child support program under the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS).

M

MSA: Marital Settlement Agreement

A comprehensive written agreement between spouses resolving issues in a dissolution, including property division, debts, custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support. When approved by the court, an MSA is incorporated into the final judgment.

O

OSC: Order to Show Cause

A court order requiring a party to appear and explain why the court should not take a particular action, such as holding the party in contempt for violating a prior order.

P

PDOD: Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure

The first mandatory financial disclosure exchanged early in a dissolution case. The PDOD typically includes a Schedule of Assets and Debts (FL-142) and an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150). See Family Code §2104.

Q

QDRO: Qualified Domestic Relations Order

A specialized court order used to divide employer sponsored retirement accounts between divorcing spouses without triggering taxes or early withdrawal penalties. A QDRO is necessary to divide 401(k) plans, pensions, and other employer-sponsored retirement benefits.

R

RFO: Request for Order

A motion filed in a family law case requesting court orders on issues like custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, or attorney fees. The RFO is filed on Request for Order (FL-300) form.

S

SRL: Self-Represented Litigant

A person who handles their own court case without an attorney. Also referred to as a “pro per” or “pro se” litigant. Approximately 80% of family law litigants in California are self represented.

T

TRO: Temporary Restraining Order

A short term protective order issued by the court pending a full hearing. In domestic violence cases, a TRO can be issued upon a written application and remains in effect until the hearing date.

U

UCCJEA: Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act

The law that determines whether a state has jurisdiction, or power, over child custody issues. Adopted in California under Family Code §3400 through §3465.

UIFSA: Uniform Interstate Family Support Act

The law governing interstate establishment, enforcement, and modification of child and spousal support orders. See Family Code §4900 et seq.

V

VDOP: Voluntary Declaration of Parentage

A form signed by both parents that legally establishes parentage without a court order. A VDOP has the same legal effect as a court judgment of parentage. See Family Code §7570 through §7577.

Disclaimer: This article on California family law is published for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Family law issues are fact specific and complex. Consult with a licensed family law attorney for specific advice about your case.