Family law
What Is a Request for Order (RFO) and When Do You File One?
Quick answer
A Request for Order, often called an RFO, is a formal way to ask the family court to make or change a decision in your case. This guide explains what it does, when parents typically file one, and what to expect after filing.
Researched by Dan Martin, Legal Researcher · Published by Onbello Legal · Last updated June 2026
Watch this explained
What a Request for Order (RFO) is and when you file one
What a Request for Order actually is
A Request for Order is a written form you file with the court to ask a judge to decide a specific issue in your family law case. Instead of waiting for a full trial, it lets you bring one question in front of the judge, such as where the children will live, how parenting time will be shared, or whether support should be set or changed. The court then schedules a hearing where both parents can be heard before the judge makes a decision.
The name varies by state. In California, this filing is called a Request for Order, or RFO. Other states use terms like motion, petition to modify, or application for relief. The underlying idea is the same everywhere: you are formally asking the judge to issue an order on a specific issue, and the other parent gets notice and a chance to respond. Check your state's guide for the exact form name and process where you live.
When parents typically file one
Parents usually file a request like this in two situations. The first is at the start of a case, when there are no court orders yet and you need the judge to set ground rules, such as a custody and parenting time schedule or child support, while the case moves forward. Without an order in place, informal agreements can be hard to enforce if the other parent stops following them.
The second common situation is when circumstances have changed after orders already exist. A parent may need to move, a work schedule may shift, a child's needs may change, or the current schedule may simply no longer work. Courts generally will not change existing orders on their own, so a parent has to file a request asking for the modification. Some states require you to show a significant change in circumstances before the court will modify certain orders, and what counts as significant varies by state.
What happens after you file
After you file, the court typically sets a hearing date, and you must formally notify the other parent by having the paperwork served on them. Service rules, including who can deliver the papers and how far in advance, vary by state, so follow your state's requirements carefully. The other parent then has a chance to file a written response giving their side.
At the hearing, the judge listens to both parents, reviews the paperwork, and makes a decision on the specific issue you raised. Some courts require parents to attend mediation on custody issues before or alongside the hearing, and this also varies by state. The judge's decision becomes a court order, which both parents are legally required to follow until it is changed by a new order.
How to prepare a strong request
Judges decide these requests based on the paperwork and what is said at the hearing, so clear and complete forms matter. Be specific about what you are asking for, such as an exact parenting schedule rather than a vague request for more time. Attach a written declaration that explains the facts calmly and sticks to what the judge needs to know, and gather any supporting documents your state allows, like school records or a proposed schedule.
If the situation is urgent, such as a genuine risk to a child's safety, most states have a separate emergency process that can get you in front of a judge faster. The standards for emergency orders are high and vary by state, so review your state's rules before relying on that route. For everything else, the regular request process is the standard path, and preparing your paperwork carefully is the best thing you can control.
Tools and resources
Where to check this
Forms, deadlines, and local rules change. Verify anything on this page against the official self-help resources for your state before you rely on it.
This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws and local rules vary and change. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed family-law attorney in your state.