SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Effective January 1, 2019, the Superior Court of San Bernardino County will implement a new procedure for processing custody and visitation agreements made during child custody recommending counseling appointments.

In cases where litigants reach a complete custody and visitation agreement, the child custody recommending counselor will prepare the agreement while the parties are present and provide a copy to the parties to review and sign. The matter will still remain on the court calendar, but no appearance will be required if the only issue before the court is custody and visitation.

Aligned with the court’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan, streamlining this process improves efficiency by reducing or eliminating unneeded court hearings, and saves time and resources for litigants and the court while still ensuring the parties have an opportunity to object to the settlement.

The Superior Court of San Bernardino County will continue its efforts to improve processes that allow attorneys, litigants, and all citizens to use our court system more efficiently and effectively.

For more information about the new process for child custody and visitation agreements, including services provided, click here. For additional questions, please contact Family Court Services at (909) 521- 3180.