Rule 26.Orders
Section III. Provisions Applicable to Domestic Relations Actions · Last verified September 4, 2026
Full Text of Rule 26
Plain-English Summary
Rule 26 is three short subsections that together decide how reviewable a family court decision is.
Findings and conclusions
An order or judgment on an adjudication in a domestic relations case shall set forth the specific findings of fact and conclusions of law to support the court's decision.
Both halves are required, and both are qualified by specific and by to support the court's decision. A recitation of the evidence is not a finding, and findings that do not connect to the outcome do not satisfy the rule.
The signature is a certification
Subsection (b) is the unusual one. By signing his name to an order in a domestic relations case, the judge certifies compliance with this rule.
That is a deliberate structural choice. Rather than leaving compliance to be tested later, the rule attaches an affirmation to the act of signing. There is no separate certificate to complete — the signature is it.
Thirty days
Except under exceptional circumstances, an order in a domestic relations case shall be issued as soon as possible after the hearing, but not later than 30 days thereafter.
Two standards in one sentence: as soon as possible is the rule, and 30 days is the outer bound, not a target.
Why this rule carries weight
Family court decisions turn on facts — the best interests of a child, the equities of a property division, a party's ability to pay. Rule 2(a) removes the civil jury rules, so a family court judge finds every fact. Rule 26(a) is what makes those findings visible.
It also matters where an order was made without a hearing at all. Rule 28 allows an uncontested one-year-separation divorce, temporary consent orders and procedural consent orders to issue on paper; Rule 26 still governs the order that results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a family court order have to explain itself?
Yes. Rule 26(a) requires an order or judgment pursuant to an adjudication in a domestic relations case to set forth the specific findings of fact and conclusions of law to support the court's decision.
How long does the judge have to issue the order?
Rule 26(c) requires it as soon as possible after the hearing but not later than 30 days thereafter, except under exceptional circumstances.
Is there a separate certificate of compliance?
No. Rule 26(b) provides that by signing his name to an order in a domestic relations case, the judge certifies compliance with the rule.
Does the rule apply to orders issued without a hearing?
Rule 26(a) applies to an order or judgment pursuant to an adjudication in a domestic relations case. Rule 28 separately allows certain relief to be granted without a hearing.
Does it apply in juvenile cases?
Rule 26 sits in Section III and speaks of domestic relations cases. Rule 31 separately requires a pre-adjudicatory detention order to be in writing and to recite appropriate findings of fact.