Family Court Timeline Tools

Calculate deadlines for family law proceedings including divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and domestic relations matters across all jurisdictions.

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Family Court Timeline Calculator

Calculate deadlines for family law proceedings with jurisdiction-specific requirements

Federal Courts
Important: This tool provides deadline calculations based on published court rules. Results are not legal advice. Always verify deadlines with the applicable court rules and consult with counsel when in doubt.
Calculate Deadline
Enter the case details to calculate the court deadline

Options

Common Family Law Deadlines
Typical timing requirements across family law case types

Divorce/Dissolution

  • • Response to petition: 30 days (varies by state)
  • • Mandatory waiting period: 30-180 days
  • • Financial disclosures: 60-90 days
  • • Mediation completion: varies by jurisdiction
  • • Final hearing scheduling: 6-18 months

Custody & Support

  • • Response to motion: 21-30 days
  • • Financial affidavit: 30-45 days
  • • Parenting class completion: 45-90 days
  • • Custody evaluation: 60-120 days
  • • Temporary order hearing: 2-6 weeks

Protection Orders

  • • Emergency order: Same day/24 hours
  • • Temporary order: 10-21 days
  • • Full hearing: 10-21 days from temp order
  • • Service requirement: immediate priority
  • • Appeal deadline: 10-30 days

Adoption Proceedings

  • • Notice to biological parents: varies
  • • Consent revocation period: 30-60 days
  • • Home study completion: 90-180 days
  • • Finalization hearing: 6-12 months
  • • Interstate compact: additional time
Jurisdiction-Specific Variations

California Family Law

6-month mandatory waiting period for divorce finalization. Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure due within 60 days. Automatic Temporary Restraining Orders take effect upon filing.

New York Domestic Relations

Answer due within 20 days if served personally, 30 days if served by mail. Mandatory financial disclosure within 45 days of service of summons.

Texas Family Code

60-day waiting period before divorce can be granted. Temporary orders hearing typically within 14 days. Mandatory parenting class completion before final orders.

Florida Family Law

Answer due within 20 days. Financial affidavit required within 45 days. Parenting course completion mandatory before final judgment with minor children.

Special Circumstances & Emergency Procedures

Emergency Situations

  • • Ex parte domestic violence orders: same day
  • • Emergency custody orders: 24-72 hours
  • • Child abduction cases: immediate filing
  • • Military deployment: expedited procedures

Interstate Considerations

  • • UCCJEA jurisdiction requirements
  • • UIFSA child support enforcement
  • • Interstate Compact on Adoption
  • • Military families special provisions
Key Statutes & Rules
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (UCCJEA)Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA)Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)Hague Convention on Child Abduction
Professional Tips
Calendar all deadlines immediately upon case filing or service
Verify local court requirements for mandatory classes/mediation
Account for service time when calculating response deadlines
Emergency orders may require immediate ex parte filings
How to Use This Calculator
Step-by-step instructions for accurate deadline calculations
1

Identify Case Type

Select your family law matter: divorce/dissolution, custody modification, child support, adoption, domestic violence protection order, or other family proceeding.

2

Enter Filing or Service Date

Input when your petition was filed or when you were served. Family court deadlines vary significantly by case type and often have mandatory waiting periods.

3

Select Your Jurisdiction

Choose your state as family law is primarily state-governed. Each state has different residency requirements, waiting periods, and procedural deadlines.

4

Determine Procedural Stage

Identify where you are in the process: initial filing, response period, discovery, mediation, trial preparation, or post-judgment modification.

5

Consider Special Circumstances

Account for emergency situations (domestic violence), military deployment, interstate custody issues (UCCJEA), or international child abduction (Hague Convention).

6

Plan for Required Services

Schedule mandatory mediation, parenting classes, financial disclosure deadlines, and child custody evaluations as required by your jurisdiction.

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