California · Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC

WIC §5973: (a) Proceedings under this part may be commenced in any of the following: (1) The county in which the respondent resides.

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute establishes where legal proceedings may be filed—in the county where a respondent resides, is found, or faces other proceedings. It requires transfer to the respondent's home county if consent is given; otherwise proceedings continue where filed.

Read the full statutory text

(a) Proceedings under this part may be commenced in any of the following: (1) The county in which the respondent resides. (2) The county where the respondent is found. (3) The county where the respondent is facing criminal or civil proceedings. (b) If the respondent does not reside in the county in which proceedings are initiated under this subdivision, as determined in accordance with Section 244 of the Government Code, except as provided in subdivision (f) of Section 5982, and this part is operative in the respondent’s county of residence, the proceeding shall, with the respondent’s consent, be transferred to the county of residence as soon as reasonably feasible. Should the respondent not consent to the transfer, the proceedings shall continue in the county where the respondent was found.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.