Rule 5.62.Appearance by respondent

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 4. Starting and Responding to a Family Law Case; Service of Papers · Article 2. Initial Pleadings · Last amended 2016 · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.62 lists the filings that make a respondent’s appearance general, and sets who is entitled to notice afterward.

Full Text of Rule 5.62

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

(a) Use of terms

In a family law proceeding, the term “request for order” has the same meaning as the terms “motion” or “notice of motion” when they are used in the Code of Civil Procedure.

(b) Appearance

Except as provided in Code of Civil Procedure section 418.10 and Family Code sections 2012 and 3409, a respondent is deemed to have made a general appearance in a proceeding when he or she files:

(1) A response or answer;

(2) A request for order to strike, under section 435 of the Code of Civil Procedure;

(3) A request for order to transfer the proceeding under section 395 of the Code of Civil Procedure; or

(4) A written notice of his or her appearance.

After appearance, the respondent or his or her attorney is entitled to notice of all subsequent proceedings of which notice is required to be given by these rules or in civil actions generally.

(d) No notice required

Where a respondent has not appeared, notice of subsequent proceedings need not be given to the respondent except as provided in these rules.

End

Plain-English Summary

An appearance matters because it settles personal jurisdiction and turns on the notice obligations. Subject to the statutes that preserve a special appearance to contest jurisdiction, a respondent is deemed to have made a general appearance by filing any of four things: a response or answer, a request for order to strike, a request for order to transfer the proceeding, or a written notice of appearance.

The consequences run both ways. Once the respondent has appeared, the respondent or their attorney is entitled to notice of every subsequent proceeding for which these rules or general civil practice require notice. Where the respondent has not appeared, notice of subsequent proceedings need not be given except where these rules specifically require it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a general appearance in a family law case?

Filing a response or answer, a request for order to strike, a request for order to transfer the proceeding, or a written notice of appearance — subject to Code of Civil Procedure section 418.10 and Family Code sections 2012 and 3409.

Do I get notice of hearings if I never responded?

Generally no. Where a respondent has not appeared, notice of subsequent proceedings need not be given except as these rules provide.

Can I contest jurisdiction without making a general appearance?

The rule preserves that path by making its list subject to Code of Civil Procedure section 418.10 and Family Code sections 2012 and 3409.

Amendment History

Rule 5.62 amended effective July 1, 2016; adopted effective January 1, 2013.

(Subd (a) adopted effective July 1, 2016.) (Subd (b) amended and relettered effective July 1, 2016; adopted as subd (a).) (Subd (c) amended and relettered effective July 1, 2016; adopted as subd (b).) (Subd (d) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2016; adopted as subd (c).)

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

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