Rule 5.98.Meet-and-confer requirements; document exchange

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 6. Request for Court Orders · Article 3. Meet-and-Confer Conferences · Adopted 2013 · no amendments on record · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.98 requires the parties and attorneys to meet and confer before a request-for-order hearing and to exchange their documentary evidence first — with an exception for domestic violence cases.

Full Text of Rule 5.98

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) Meet and confer

All parties and all attorneys are required to meet and confer in person, by telephone, or as ordered by the court, before the date of the hearing relating to a Request for Order (FL-300). During this time, parties must discuss and make a good faith attempt to settle all issues, even if a complete settlement is not possible and only conditional agreements are made. The requirement to meet and confer does not apply to cases involving domestic violence.

(b) Document exchange

Before or while conferring, parties must exchange all documentary evidence that is to be relied on for proof of any material fact at the hearing. At the hearing, the court may decline to consider documents that were not given to the other party before the hearing as required under this rule. The requirement to exchange documents does not relate to documents that are submitted primarily for rebuttal or impeachment purposes.

End

Plain-English Summary

Before the hearing date, all parties and all attorneys must meet and confer in person, by telephone, or as the court orders, and must discuss and make a good faith attempt to settle every issue — even where only conditional or partial agreement is possible. Cases involving domestic violence are exempt from the requirement.

The document exchange is the part with consequences at the hearing. Before or while conferring, the parties must exchange all documentary evidence they intend to rely on to prove any material fact. The court may decline to consider documents that were not given to the other side first. Material held back for rebuttal or impeachment is outside the requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to meet and confer before a family law hearing?

Yes, unless the case involves domestic violence. All parties and attorneys must meet and confer in person, by telephone, or as ordered, and make a good faith attempt to settle all issues.

What happens if I do not exchange my documents?

The court may decline to consider documents that were not given to the other party before the hearing as the rule requires.

Do I have to hand over my impeachment material?

No. The exchange requirement does not reach documents submitted primarily for rebuttal or impeachment purposes.

Amendment History

Rule 5.98 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: meet and confer family law Californiadocument exchange before hearingfamily law evidence exchange rule