Sacramento Superior Court Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court document

Attorneys and self-represented parties must personally read and verify every citation before filing any document, regardless of whether the citation came from AI or other sources.

An attorney or self-represented party filing a brief, pleading, motion, or other document in this court must personally read and verify every citation contained therein before filing to ensure it is a valid citation that accurately supports the proposition for which it is cited. This requirement applies regardless of whether the citation was obtained through generative artificial intelligence, research services, or any other source. Violation of this rule may result in sanctions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

First pleading

For streamlined CEQA projects, the caption page must also state the governing code sections and 'STREAMLINED CEQA PROJECT'.

If one or more CEQA claims pertain to a “streamlined CEQA project” within the meaning of California Rules of Court, Rule 3.2220, the caption page must also state (1) the code sections under which the CEQA cause of action is litigated, and (2) “STREAMLINED CEQA PROJECT”.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Guardianship account

The first guardianship account must cover a minimum period of nine months from the date of appointment.

The first account shall be for a minimum period of nine months from date of appointment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Uninsured motorist statement

Plaintiff must file an Uninsured Motorist Statement (form CV\E-132) advising the court of any uninsured motorist claim no later than 75 days after the action is filed.

If the complaint includes an uninsured motorist claim as defined in Government Code section 68609.5 and Insurance Code section 11580.2, plaintiff shall so advise the court in an Uninsured Motorist Statement (local form CV\E-132) to be filed at the earliest possible date but in no event later than 75 days after the action is filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for outside counsel appointment

Must include

proposed order

(2) The name and firm of the attorney the dependency attorney is requesting the court to appoint (3) A motion pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827 requesting the outside attorney access to confidential case information relevant to the child’s injury or claim (D) Upon the filing of notice, supporting motion and documentation, and proposed orders, the court shall address the following:

(2) The name and firm of the attorney the dependency attorney is requesting the court to appoint (3) A motion pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827 requesting the outside attorney access to confidential case information relevant to the child’s injury or claim (D) Upon the filing of notice, supporting motion and documentation, and proposed orders, the court shall address the following:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Settlement conference statement

Requesting or being granted an excuse from attendance does not excuse a party from filing a Settlement Conference Statement as required.

Submission of said request, or the granting of said request, does not excuse any party from the requirement to file a Settlement Conference Statement in conformity with the California Rules of Court and these Local Rules.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Cover sheet

Cover sheets for habeas petitions challenging the Prop 83 residency requirement must designate Department 21 and reference this standing order.

The cover sheets for petitions raising these claims shall designate Department 21 as the assigned department and reference this standing order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for approval of trust

The petition for trust approval must include the proposed distribution of trust assets upon termination of the trust.

The petition for approval of the trust shall include the proposed distribution of the trust assets upon termination of the trust.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery motion

A formal motion to compel discovery must be supported by a declaration stating facts showing the opposing party's failure to comply with the informal discovery request and specifying the particular items not disclosed.

A formal motion for an order to compel discovery shall be supported by a declaration stating facts showing a failure by the opposing party to comply with the informal request for discovery. The declaration shall specify in particular those items not disclosed in response to any informal request for discovery.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition

If the petitioner lacks possession of estate planning documents, the petition must identify the name, address, and telephone number of the person who has them.

If the petitioner does not have possession of the estate planning documents, the petition shall include a statement of the name, address, and telephone number of the person(s) having possession of said documents to enable the court to issue an order for delivery of the documents pursuant to Probate Code section 2586(b).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for final distribution

If estate taxes are payable or paid, the final distribution petition must state whether taxes were prorated under Probate Code section 970/20100 et seq. or the Will.

If estate taxes are payable or paid: (1) the petition must set forth whether said taxes were prorated pursuant to Probate Code section 970/20100 et seq. or the provisions of the Will;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition

A petition under Probate Code §§2580 or 3100 that affects estate planning must include one copy of all estate planning documents unless the court orders delivery to a custodian.

If a petition under Probate Code section 2580 or section 3100 seeks to provide gifts or otherwise affect the estate planning of the conservatee or incapacitated spouse, said petition shall include one copy of all estate planning documents unless the petitioner obtains an order to deliver the documents to a custodian pursuant to Probate Code section 2586(d).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Document presented by non attorney court document preparer

Non-attorney court document preparers must comply with Business and Professions Code section 6408 or the clerk will reject the document.

Non-attorney court document preparers shall comply with the requirements of Business and Professions Code section 6408. The clerk shall not accept for filing any document presented by a non-attorney court document preparer that does not comply with these requirements.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of time and date of trial

Plaintiff's counsel will serve on all parties and file a Notice of Time and Date of Trial and Mandatory Settlement Conference.

Plaintiff's counsel will serve on all parties and file a Notice of Time and Date of Trial and Mandatory Settlement Conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte application

Ex parte applications must contain a statement concerning notice, set forth by affidavit or declaration, showing that interested parties were informed, that the applicant attempted but could not inform them, or why notice should be excused; otherwise the application may be summarily denied.

An ex parte application that does not contain a statement concerning notice may be summarily denied. Ex parte applications shall set forth by affidavit or declaration the following: (1) that within the time prescribed in subparagraph (2) below, the applicant has informed other interested parties when and where the application would be made; or (2) that the applicant attempted to inform an interested party or the party's attorney but was unable to do so, specifying the efforts made to inform the party; or (3) that for reasons specified, the applicant should not be required to inform the interested party or the party's attorney.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition private mediation

Must include

proposed order

Parties may stipulate to private mediation; written notice must be made by filing a Petition (FL/E-LP-601) with an Order (FL/E-LP-603) and a Declaration of Qualifications (FL/E-FR-411) for each proposed mediator.

Parties may stipulate that they would like to go to private mediation in lieu of mediation conducted by the Office of Family Court Services. Written notice of a request for private mediation shall be made by filing a Petition for Private Child Custody Recommending Counseling (local form FL/E-LP-601), together with an Order for Private Child Custody Recommending Counseling (local form FL/E-LP-603) a Declaration of Private Child Custody Recommending Counselor Regarding Qualifications (local form FL/E-FR-411) for each mediator proposed in the Petition.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Joint case management statement

Must include

certificate of conference

The CMC Statement must include a declaration that the parties met and conferred in good faith on all appropriate subjects.

The CMC Statement shall include a declaration that the parties have met and conferred in good faith on all appropriate subjects set forth under # 1.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Default judgment status statement

A party with a pending default judgment request must file a Default Judgment Status Statement in lieu of (all parties) or together with (fewer than all parties) a Case Management Statement.

If at the time a Case Management Statement is due a party has filed a request for a default judgment as to all other parties remaining in the case, that party shall file a Default Judgment Status Statement on a form provided by the court in lieu of a Case Management Statement. In the event a party has filed a request for a default judgment against fewer than all remaining parties, that party shall file a Default Judgment Status Statement together with a Case Management Statement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Guardianship account

Each account except a final account must be accompanied by a bond sufficiency report including the total bond posted, blocked accounts and balances, and annual income and assets subject to bonding.

Each account except a final account shall be accompanied by a report on the sufficiency of the bond, including (1) the total amount of bond currently posted; (2) which accounts are blocked and the balances thereof and (3) setting forth the annual income and assets subject to bonding as provided in Probate Code section 2320(c).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for final distribution

Petitions for final distribution must include a report covering asset character, capital transactions, liabilities, compliance declarations, tax status, and change-of-ownership compliance.

Petitions for final distribution shall include a report of the following: (1) The character of all assets as separate or community where there is a surviving spouse; (2) All capital transactions and other actions taken under the Independent Administration of Estates Act, including the amounts of any gains or losses; (3) Disclosure of liabilities and other matters necessary to show the condition of the estate (Probate Code section 10900); (4) Declaration of compliance with Local Rules, rule 4.69 (Petition to Include Proposed Distribution); (5) That no federal or California estate taxes are payable or that they have been paid; (6) That income taxes and all other taxes (e.g., supplemental real property or personal property taxes, if any) have been paid or otherwise provided for; (7) Whether the personal representative has complied with the provisions of Probate Code section 8800(d), concerning the change of ownership requirements of Revenue & Taxation Code section 480.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Substitution association pro hac vice

Substitution, association, and pro hac vice filings by represented parties will not be accepted unless they include the attorney's name and State Bar information.

For Represented parties: A substitution of attorney, association of attorney, or pro hac vice application/motion will not be accepted for filing unless the attorney's name, State Bar

CRITICAL

Applies to

Estate planning documents

Must include

caption

Estate planning documents must be delivered to the court in an envelope or container with a titled cover sheet stating the caption and hearing details, and must be returned at the conclusion of the proceedings.

Estate planning documents subject to subsection (A) shall be enclosed in an envelope or suitable container for delivery to the court. The party submitting the documents shall affix a cover sheet to the envelope or container entitled, “Estate Planning Documents of (name) For In Camera Review Pursuant to Probate Code section 2586” stating: (1) the caption of the case and (2) the date, time, and department of the hearing. (D) Upon conclusion of the proceedings, the documents shall be returned to the party who submitted them.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Application for rehearing

Rehearing applications must use local form JC/E-001 as the first page; other documents may be attached and incorporated by reference.

The applicant shall utilize an Application for Rehearing and Statement (local form JC\E-001), a copy of which is available on the Court's website and at the appropriate juvenile court filing counter. Other documents may be attached to local form JC\E-001 and incorporated by reference therein, but the court will not accept for filing an application that does not utilize the form as the first page of the application.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading

Pleadings for a pending hearing must show the hearing date, time, and department under the case number on the first page, or state 'No Hearing' if no hearing is set.

All pleadings filed for use at a pending hearing shall bear the date and time of the hearing, and department number in which the hearing is set, under the case number of the first page of the pleading or form. If a hearing is not set, the pleading or form shall bear the words "No Hearing."

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for probate

Petitions to probate a Will/codicil with deletions or interlineations must request a validity determination and include supporting documentary evidence.

A petition for probate of a Will and/or codicil which includes deletions and/or interlineations shall include a request for determination of the validity of said deletions and/or interlineations and include any documentary evidence in support of the petitioner's position.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Confidential supplement to duties and liabilities

Personal representatives must provide their driver's license number and date of birth in the confidential supplement to duties and liabilities.

The driver's license number and date of birth of personal representatives (other than public officers or trust companies) shall be provided in the confidential supplement to the duties and liabilities required by Probate Code section 8404.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Documents filed by public entity

A qualifying digital signature must be unique, verifiable, under the signer's sole control, linked to the data so changes invalidate it, and conform to Secretary of State regulations.

If a public entity elects to use a digital signature pursuant to this Standing Order, that embodies all of the following attributes: (1) It is unique to the person using it. (2) It is capable of verification. (3) It is under the sole control of the person using it. (4) It is linked to data in such a manner that if the data are changed, the digital signature is invalidated. (5) It conforms to regulations adopted by the Secretary of State.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition to include proposed distribution

Petitions to include a proposed distribution must set forth the distribution details, Will terms, intestate succession terms, and full proposed trust terms if a testamentary trust is involved.

Details of the proposed distribution shall be set forth either in the body of the petition or by attachment. Terms of the Will as to disposition of property and what is to be distributed under the laws of intestate succession shall be set forth. When the proposed distribution includes establishing a testamentary trust, the proposed terms shall be fully stated in the petition.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proof of will

Proof of admissibility must be submitted for each testamentary document, unless a codicil expressly republishes the Will, in which case proof of the codicil's execution is sufficient.

Proof as to the admissibility of each testamentary document shall be submitted, except that in the event there is a codicil which expressly republishes the Will, proof of the execution of the codicil is deemed sufficient.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Will

If the person for whom a Will is submitted is deceased, proof of death (death certificate, obituary, or declaration of date of death) is required when the Will is presented.

If the person for whom the Will is being submitted is deceased, proof of death is required at the time the Will is presented. Proof of death shall be in the form of a death certificate, an obituary, or a declaration indicating the date of death.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of proposed action

Must include

certificate of service

The Notice of Proposed Action with proof of service, and any objections, consent, and waiver, must be filed with the court, in addition to CRC rule 7.250 requirements.

In addition to the requirements of California Rules of Court, rule 7.250, the Notice of Proposed Action with proof of service, and any objections, consent, and waiver, shall be filed with the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte application

Must include

proposed order

Moving papers on shortened time must include a proposed order, and all related papers must state on the caption page that the matter was brought on an order shortening time, with the order date and judge's name.

The moving papers must be accompanied by a copy of the proposed order and all papers, including those subsequently filed regarding the application, must indicate on the caption page that the matter was brought on an order shortening time with specific indication of the date of the order and the name of the judge.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Stipulation for designation of temporary judge

Stipulations submitted under California Rule of Court 2.831 must be filed on Local Form MIC/E-001 in the department of the Supervising Judge, Family Law.

Stipulations must be filed on Local Form MIC/E-001 (Stipulation and Order for Designation of Temporary Judge) in the department of the Supervising Judge, Family Law.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for writ of mandate

The caption of an Election Writ petition must state, beneath the 'PRIORITY ELECTION MATTER' designation, the statutory or agency deadline by which the Court must act.

Beneath the designation of “PRIORITY ELECTION MATTER” the caption of any petition for an Election Writ must also contain the deadline imposed by the applicable statute or agency (such as the Secretary of State, Sacramento County Office of the Registrar of Voters, etc.) by which the Court must take final action on the merits of the petition.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Guardianship account

Accounts in proceedings with multiple wards or conservatees must reflect a separate accounting for each.

Where there are multiple wards or conservatees joined in a single guardianship or conservatorship proceeding, an account shall reflect a separate accounting for each of them.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery motion

Discovery-related motions must be filed separately for each individual propounding party and each individual responding party.

A party filing a motion to compel responses or further responses to discovery requests, to deem matters admitted, to compel production of documents, to enforce a discovery subpoena, or to obtain a discovery-related protective order must file a separate motion for each individual propounding party and each individual responding party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Rehearing application

Each rehearing application must include a statement of reasons the rehearing is requested.

Applications pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 252 for rehearing of a decision by a referee in a dependency proceeding shall be filed in typewritten form and shall include a statement of reasons the rehearing is requested.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Waiver of rights juvenile dependency

Counsel must assist the parent in completing the Waiver of Rights-Juvenile Dependency (JV-190) in all submitted jurisdictional hearings.

In all submitted jurisdictional hearings, counsel shall assist the parent in completing the Waiver of Rights-Juvenile Dependency (Judicial Council form JV-190).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for distribution

Proof of appointment or authorization for a minor distribution must be supported by certified court orders, affidavits or declarations before the hearing.

Proof of appointment or authorization shall be supported by certified court orders, affidavits or declarations prior to the hearing on the petition for distribution.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for family allowance

A petition for family allowance must state income from outside the estate, itemization of separate property, and monthly expenses.

A petition seeking an allowance shall set forth the income from sources outside the estate available to the person for whom the allowance is sought, as well as an itemization of that person’s separate property and monthly expenses.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Settlement agreement

If the parties use a model settlement agreement, moving counsel must provide a redline showing modifications.

When the parties use a model agreement, moving counsel shall provide a redline version showing any modifications to the model agreement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Icwa 101 form

The social worker must submit the original ICWA-101 form to the assigned department before or at the hearing for the judicial officer to verify and certify.

The social worker shall submit the original ICWA-101 form to the assigned department prior to or at the hearing. At the hearing, the judicial officer will verify the parent’s/Indian Custodian’s signature on the ICWA-101 form and certify the form by signing on page 3.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Psychological assessment order

Parties requesting psychological assessment or evaluation orders must use the specified local forms (JC/E-327 or JC/E-326).

All parties requesting a court order for a psychological and related assessments and evaluations, shall use the appropriate local form: Court Ordered Psychotropic Medication Evaluation or Mental Health Assessment – For Children (local form JC\E-327) or Court Ordered Psychological/Psychiatric Evaluation or Mental Health Assessment – For Parent(s) (local form JC\E-326).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition

Must include

case number

SVP petitions must be numbered sequentially (year + 'SVP' + three-digit sequence) and must reference the underlying Sacramento felony case number in the heading.

All such petitions filed by the District Attorney’s office shall be numbered sequentially with the last two digits of the year the petition was filed, followed by the letters “SVP,” followed by a three-digit sequential number representing the number of cases filed in the year in question. Thus, 03SVP001 would be the civil number assigned to the first such case filed after January 1, 2003. All such petitions shall make reference in the text of the heading for the case to the Sacramento County felony case file number the respondent was originally confined under, i.e., such as:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Statement of the case

The joint statement of the case must be submitted to the assigned judge on the first day of trial; if the parties cannot agree, each party submits its proposed statement.

The parties shall submit the joint statement to the assigned judge on the first day of trial. If the parties cannot agree on a joint statement, each party shall submit its proposed statement to the trial judge.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial statement

At least five court days before trial, each party must file and serve a trial statement identifying each disputed issue and the legal and factual basis for its position.

File and serve on all parties a trial statement setting forth each issue in dispute, and the legal and factual basis in support of the party’s contention as to each disputed issue;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for writ of mandate

Housing development writ petitions under CCP § 1094.9 must include 'PRIORITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT DECISION MATTER' on the right side of the caption, with a citation to section 1094.9.

All petitions for writ of mandate filed pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.9, to review the denial of a permit or other entitlement for a housing development project or residential dwelling unit, must include the language “PRIORITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT DECISION MATTER” on the right side of the caption on the Petition and any amendment Petitions, and must include a citation to section 1094.9.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Settlement approval motion

Preliminary and final settlement approval motion papers must include a declaration that counsel reviewed the checklist and complied with it, or the motion will be denied without prejudice.

The moving papers for a preliminary and final approval motion for a class action and/or PAGA settlement must include a declaration that attests to the fact that: (1) counsel for the moving party has reviewed the settlement checklist; and (2) that the moving papers were prepared in compliance with the checklist. Failure to provide this declaration will result in the denial of the approval motion without prejudice.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Declaration for emergency removal

A minor may be immediately removed from the Youth Detention Facility and transported to SCMHTC upon filing a declaration with the Juvenile Court containing specified content about the declarant's qualifications and evaluation findings.

Absent further order of the court, any previous court order that a minor shall be detained in the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility is suspended, and the minor shall be immediately removed from such facility by the probation officer and transported to the Sacramento County Mental Health Treatment Center (SCMHTC), upon the filing of a declaration with the Juvenile Court containing all of the following: (1) The declarant is a mental health clinician assigned to the Youth Detention Facility (designated by the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services, Mental Health Division pursuant to section 5585.50) or is a probation officer assigned to the Youth Detention Facility; (2) The declarant conducted an evaluation of the minor and as a result believes that the minor has a mental disorder which renders the minor a danger to himself/herself, a danger to others, or gravely disabled;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Application for rehearing

Rehearing applications must include a statement of reasons for the requested rehearing.

Applications for rehearing of a decision by a referee or Commissioner assigned as a referee pursuant to section 252 shall be filed in typewritten form and shall include a statement of reasons the rehearing is requested.