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HomeFamily CodeDiv. 2Pt. 4§ 242 Hearing Timeframes

§ 242 Hearing Timeframes

Family Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 242 Hearing Timeframes

This law says that if someone asks for a temporary restraining order (like a court order to stop someone from hurting or bothering them), there must be a court hearing within 21 days (or 25 days if there's a good reason). If there's no hearing in that time, the restraining order stops working unless it's extended.

Key Takeaways

  • •A hearing must happen within 21 days (or 25 days with a good reason) after asking for a restraining order.
  • •If the hearing doesn’t happen in time, the restraining order stops working.
  • •The court can still extend the restraining order if needed.

Example

Imagine your neighbor is threatening you, and you go to court to get a restraining order to make them stop.

The court must have a hearing within 21 days to decide if the restraining order should stay. If they don’t have the hearing in time, the restraining order won’t be valid anymore unless the court extends it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 242 Hearing Timeframes

(a) Within 21 days, or, if good cause appears to the court, 25 days from the date that a temporary restraining order is granted or denied, a hearing shall be held on the petition. If no request for a temporary restraining order is made, the hearing shall be held within 21 days, or, if good cause appears to the court, 25 days from the date that the petition is filed. (b) If a hearing is not held within the time provided in subdivision (a), the court may nonetheless hear the matter, but the temporary restraining order shall no longer be enforceable unless it is extended under Section 245. (Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 411, Sec. 4. (AB 1081) Effective January 1, 2016.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

temporary restraining orderhearingpetitiongood causeSection 245

Related Statutes

  • § 1836 Hearing Notice And Citation
  • § 233 Temporary Restraining Order Enforcement
  • § 243 Restraining Order Service Rules
  • § 245 Restraining Order Continuances
  • § 246 Temporary Restraining Order Timing

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Family Code. Section 242.
View Official Source