Superior Court of Los Angeles County Introduces Family Law File Anywhere Program to Expand Filing Access for Self-Represented Litigants
Self-Represented Litigants May File Eligible Family Law Documents at Any Location Serving Family Law Cases
The Superior Court of Los Angeles County has launched the Family Law File Anywhere program to expand access to justice for self-represented litigants by allowing eligible Family Law documents to be filed at any courthouse location that accepts Family Law documents, in addition to the location where the case was initiated.
Previously, self-represented litigants were required to file Family Law documents at the courthouse where their case originated or electronically through an Electronic Filing Service Provider. Under the Family Law File Anywhere program, self-represented litigants can now submit eligible subsequent documents at any court location with a regular Family Law courtroom and clerk’s office, including locations that may be more convenient based on where they live. For example, a self-represented litigant who resides in Antelope Valley but has a Family Law matter filed at Van Nuys Courthouse East may submit eligible documents at the Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, which handles Family Law matters. The court will process the documents and upload them to the litigant’s existing case.
Electronic filing remains available for eligible Family Law documents. The Family Law File Anywhere program provides an additional filing option for self-represented litigants who choose to file documents in person at a participating court location. The program does not apply to court locations that only have a restraining order courtroom and a clerk’s office and do not regularly handle Family Law matters. A list of participating courthouses may be found here.
Since its soft launch on Sept. 9, 2026, the program has received early positive feedback from litigants.
Documents Not Currently Eligible for Family Law File Anywhere
Currently, the program accepts most subsequent Family Law documents for filing, including fee and no-fee documents. However, the following documents are not currently eligible for filing through the program and must be filed at the courthouse where the case was initiated:
- Case-initiating documents: The Court is currently unable to accept documents that initiate a new Family Law case through the program. The Court is exploring the possibility of accepting case-initiating documents in a future phase.
- Motions, requests for orders, and other documents requiring a hearing: These documents must be filed at the courthouse where the case is assigned due to case management system features that automatically set hearings.
- Vexatious litigant filings: These documents must be filed with the supervising judge or their designee.
- Peremptory Challenge Affidavits against a judicial officer: These documents must be filed directly with the judicial officer who is the subject of the affidavit.
The Family Law File Anywhere program is part of the Court’s ongoing commitment to making its services more accessible in addition to reducing geographical barriers for self-represented litigants by providing services closer to where they live or work. The initiative supports the Court’s 2025-2028 Strategic Plan by streamlining court operations and improving the public’s experience with court services, including accessibility and overall access to justice in communities across Los Angeles County.
You can view the full notice here.
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