--- title: "California family court case summary builder | CourtAhead" description: "Build a downloadable family-court case summary in your browser for a self-help or limited-scope lawyer meeting." url: "https://courtahead.com/tools/california-family-court-case-summary-builder" datePublished: "2026-08-25" dateModified: "2026-10-08" --- # Case summary Bring your facts, dates, records, and questions together in a case summary for court self-help or a lawyer consultation. Want help with the rest of your case? Join the free early-access list. We’ll email you when CourtAhead is ready to invite you. [Request access](https://courtahead.com/early-access) Who are you preparing to meet? **Court self-help** Forms, procedure, and general legal information **Lawyer consultation** Legal analysis, advice, and possible limited scope 01 **Case details** California county Case number Optional Your role Next known court event Optional 02 **Topics** Select the topics you want to ask about. Child custody or parenting time Child support Spousal or partner support Property or debt Financial disclosures Restraining order or safety Filing or service Upcoming hearing Order or judgment Another issue 03 **Situation** What happened? 04 **Key events** Add up to four events. 01 Date Event What supports this? 02 Date Event What supports this? 03 Date Event What supports this? 04 Date Event What supports this? 05 **Documents** Mark what you have and what you still need to find. Current signed orders Hearing notices Requests and responses Proof or record of service Financial forms and supporting records Relevant communications Current court case record Other supporting records 06 **Questions** Self-help questions Add a detail to enable PDF download. ## Lawyer help You can ask a lawyer to handle one part of your case while you handle the rest. They might review papers before you file, advise you on a choice, or help you prepare for a hearing. Bring your case summary and the records behind it. Ask what the lawyer will do, what you will handle, and what it will cost before you agree to the work. [Meeting guide →](https://courtahead.com/resources/prepare-family-court-case-for-lawyer-self-help) YOUR CASE **Case summary** - Facts - Dates - Questions NEXT STEP **Lawyer help** ### Official sources [California Courts **Limited-scope representation**_↗_](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/limited-scope-representation)[California Courts **Free or low-cost legal help**_↗_](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/get-free-or-low-cost-legal-help)[California Rules of Court **Rule 5.425: family-law limited scope**_↗_](https://courts.ca.gov/cms/rules/index/five/rule5_425)[Judicial Council form **FL-950 limited-scope notice**_↗_](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/FL-950)[State Bar of California **Public help and certified referrals**_↗_](https://www.calbar.ca.gov/public-help-topics) ## Going to court without a lawyer? **Get support for the work your case requires.** Request early access to CourtAhead for AI assistance with strategy, evidence, court papers and the steps ahead. [Request access](https://courtahead.com/early-access) [How it works](https://courtahead.com/how-it-works) **Your case** ACTIVE - Strategy - Evidence - Court papers CourtAhead is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.