Rule 5.14.Sanctions for violations of rules of court in family law cases

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 1. General Provisions · Article 5. Sanctions · Adopted 2013 · no amendments on record · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.14 lets a family court impose monetary sanctions on a party, attorney, law firm, witness, or other person who violates a rule of court without good cause — after notice and a chance to be heard.

Full Text of Rule 5.14

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

(a) Application

This sanctions rule applies to any action or proceeding brought under the Family Code.

(b) Definition

For purposes of the rules in this division:

(1) “Sanctions” means a monetary fine or penalty ordered by the court.

(2) “Person” means a party, a party’s attorney, a law firm, a witness, or any other individual or entity whose consent is necessary for the disposition of the case.

In addition to any other sanctions permitted by law, the court may order a person, after written notice and an opportunity to be heard, to pay reasonable monetary sanctions to the court or to an aggrieved person, or both, for failure without good cause to comply with the applicable rules. The sanction must not put an unreasonable financial burden on the person ordered to pay.

(d) Notice and procedure

Sanctions must not be imposed under this rule except on a request for order by the person seeking sanctions or on the court’s own motion after the court has provided notice and an opportunity to be heard.

(1) A party’s request for sanctions must:

(A) State the applicable rule of court that has been violated;

(B) Describe the specific conduct that is alleged to have violated the rule; and

(2) The court on its own motion may issue an order to show cause that must:

(A) State the applicable rule of court that has been violated;

(B) Describe the specific conduct that appears to have violated the rule; and

(C) Direct the attorney, law firm, party, witness, or other person to show cause why sanctions should not be imposed for violation of the rule.

(e) Award of expenses

In addition to the sanctions awardable under this rule, the court may order the person who has violated an applicable rule of court to pay to the party aggrieved by the violation that party’s reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, incurred in connection with the motion or request for order for sanctions.

(f) Order

A court order awarding sanctions must be in writing and must recite in detail the conduct or circumstances justifying the order.

End

Plain-English Summary

The rule reaches beyond the parties. “Person” is defined to include a party, a party’s attorney, a law firm, a witness, and anyone else whose consent is necessary to dispose of the case. “Sanctions” means a monetary fine or penalty, payable to the court or to the aggrieved person or both.

Two limits run through it. Sanctions require written notice and an opportunity to be heard, and they must not impose an unreasonable financial burden on the person ordered to pay. A sanction that would be ruinous is not available simply because a rule was broken.

The procedure is specific about what a request must contain. Whether sanctions are sought by a party or raised by the court on its own motion, the request or order to show cause must name the rule violated, describe the specific conduct said to have violated it, and identify who is on the hook. The court may also order the violator to pay the aggrieved party’s reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees and costs. Any sanctions order must be in writing and must recite in detail the conduct that justifies it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be sanctioned under rule 5.14?

A party, a party’s attorney, a law firm, a witness, or any other individual or entity whose consent is necessary for the disposition of the case.

Can the court impose sanctions on its own?

Yes, on its own motion — but only after issuing an order to show cause that states the rule violated, describes the conduct, and directs the person to show cause why sanctions should not be imposed.

Is there a cap on the amount?

The rule sets no figure. It requires that the sanction not put an unreasonable financial burden on the person ordered to pay, which is a limit measured against that person’s circumstances.

Can I recover my attorney’s fees for bringing the request?

Subdivision (e) allows it. In addition to sanctions, the court may order the violator to pay the aggrieved party’s reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, incurred in connection with the request.

Amendment History

Rule 5.14 adopted effective January 1, 2013.

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified September 10, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: family law sanctions Californiarule of court violation sanctionssanctions family court attorney feesorder to show cause sanctions