RulesofCivilProcedure.com Civil Procedure · Every State

Rule 5.170.Matters not requiring notice to other parties

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 7. Request for Emergency Orders (Ex Parte Orders) · Article 3. Procedural Matters Not Requiring Notice (Non-Emergency Orders) · Adopted 2013 · no amendments on record · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.170 lists seven matters a family court may decide without notice to the other parties and without anyone appearing.

Full Text of Rule 5.170

Text sizeJump to: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

The courts may consider a party’s request for order on the following issues without notice to the other parties or personal appearance at a hearing:
(1) Applications to restore a former name after judgment;
(2) Stipulations by the parties;
(3) An order or judgment after a default court hearing;
(4) An earnings assignment order based on an existing support order;
(5) An order for service of summons by publication or posting;
(6) An order or judgment that the other party or opposing counsel approved or agreed not to oppose; and
(7) Application for an order waiving filing fees.
End

Plain-English Summary

Not everything needs an adversary. This rule names the requests a court may consider without notice to the other parties or a personal appearance: an application to restore a former name after judgment; stipulations by the parties; an order or judgment after a default court hearing; an earnings assignment order based on an existing support order; an order for service of summons by publication or posting; an order or judgment the other party or opposing counsel approved or agreed not to oppose; and an application for an order waiving filing fees.

The common thread is that each is either uncontested by definition, already agreed, or mechanical — an earnings assignment merely implements a support order that already exists, and a publication order presupposes that the other party could not be found in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can a family court decide without notifying the other party?

Applications to restore a former name after judgment, stipulations, an order or judgment after a default hearing, an earnings assignment based on an existing support order, an order for service by publication or posting, an order or judgment the other side approved or agreed not to oppose, and an application to waive filing fees.

Do I need a hearing to restore my former name after a divorce?

Rule 5.170 lists an application to restore a former name after judgment among the matters a court may consider without notice to the other parties or a personal appearance.

Amendment History

Rule 5.170 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: no notice required family law orders Californiarestore former name after divorceearnings assignment order no hearingstipulation without appearance family court