2024 California Rules of Court
Rule 5.510. Proper court; determination of child's residence; exclusive jurisdiction
(a) Proper court (§§ 327, 651)
The proper court in which to commence proceedings to declare a child a dependent or ward of the court is the juvenile court in the county:
(1) In which the child resides;
(2) In which the child is found; or
(3) In which the acts take place or the circumstances exist that are alleged to bring the child within the provisions of section 300 or 601 or 602.
(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(b) Determination of residence-general rule (§ 17.1)
Unless otherwise provided in the juvenile court law or in these rules, the residence of a child must be determined under section 17.1.
(c) Exclusive jurisdiction (§§ 304, 316.2, 726.4)
(1) Once a petition has been filed under section 300, the juvenile court has exclusive jurisdiction of the following:
(A) All issues regarding custody and visitation of the child, including legal guardianship; and
(B) All issues and actions regarding the parentage of the child under rule 5.635 and Family Code section 7630.
(2) Once a petition has been filed under section 601 or 602, the juvenile court has exclusive jurisdiction to hear an action filed under Family Code section 7630.
(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2021; adopted effective January 1, 1999; previously amended effective January 1, 2007, and January 1, 2015.)
Rule 5.510 amended effective January 1, 2021; adopted as rule 1403 effective January 1, 1991; previously amended effective January 1,