Family Law

San Jose Divorce Attorney Discusses Santa Clara County Court Locations

By Scott Sagaria

San Jose Divorce Attorney Discusses Santa Clara County Court Locations

Santa Clara County opened up a north county location for family law cases in January of 2008 in Sunnyvale. This new location meant that parties living in North County would not have to travel to downtown San Jose to have their family law matters heard in court. The county also planned on having a south county location added as well, originally that was planned to open in September of 2007. Due to construction delays the south county location in Morgan Hill is now expected to open in early 2009. This new location will serve parties who reside in South County. New family law cases are required to complete a Declaration of Residence in order to determine which of the three court locations is appropriate for a new case to be heard. Existing cases have already been transferred to Sunnyvale.

Originally Judge Susan R. Bernardini of Department 73 in the San Jose courthouse was going to transfer to the new location in Morgan Hill but now it will be Judge Kevin McKenney of Department 71 in the San Jose courthouse who will be transferring in early 2009. New south county cases will automatically be assigned to Judge McKenney in Department 71 and therefore transfer with him when the court house opens. However Judge McKenney will also transfer with his current cases assigned to Department 71 regardless of where the parties reside unless the parties complete a request to transfer their cases to the North County location in Sunnyvale. This stipulation must be completed and filed by January 30, 2009 or the case will be transferred to Morgan Hill.

If you have an existing family law case and have questions about how to proceed or if you are thinking about filing for divorce or have questions regarding custody or support issues we would be happy to meet with you for a free consultation to answer any questions that you may have. Please contact us at 408-279-2288 to schedule a free consultation at the office location nearest you. Sagaria Law has offices in Salinas, Monterey, San Jose, Fremont, Sacramento and Redwood City.

Full post as published by California Family Law Blog on October 27, 2008 (boomark / email).