Founding Research Series

AFOC is a launch-stage research organization. Our founding publications are in development. Methodology and source standards are documented in the linked methodology charter. Subscribe to be notified when each publication is released for public review.

• In Development

  Procedural Due Process in California Family Court: Temporary Orders, Notice, and Hearing Practice

  A statutory and rules-based mapping of temporary-order practice in California family court — how notice is given, how hearings are scheduled, and where local variation departs from statewide standards. The report will cite the California Family Code, California Rules of Court, and published appellate decisions.

  Planned method

  Map statewide authorities, then compare published local instructions using a consistent extraction checklist.

  Scope and limits

  Planned documentary research; no local-court findings or child-outcome estimates yet.

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• Forthcoming

  Access to Justice in California Family Court: Structural Barriers for Self-Represented Litigants

  A planned assessment of court-provided self-help resources, filing requirements, and procedural complexity encountered by self-represented litigants, with comparative reference to selected other state court systems. Outputs will document what families need to participate effectively — not legal advice for individual cases.

  Planned method

  Audit defined self-help tasks: finding forms, service information, fee-waiver guidance, language support and hearing preparation.

  Scope and limits

  Planned review of public resources; a listed service does not establish availability or quality.

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• Forthcoming

  Transparency and Institutional Oversight in Family Justice Systems

  A forthcoming study of public oversight mechanisms — court record access, judicial performance review, and reporting on court-appointed professionals — with primary focus on California and reference to federal constitutional standards. A methodological preview will be released before the full report.

  Planned method

  Distinguish case records, administrative records and oversight information; document each source and its access limits.

  Scope and limits

  Planned source comparison; complaint counts will not be presented as misconduct prevalence.

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