Our law firm remains open and available to assist new and existing clients with domestic violence, family law, and crime victim compensation civil cases. Our firm has always used cutting edge technology solutions to allow our attorneys and support staff to provide confidential legal services remotely. Due to shelter-in-place orders, our physical office is currently closed to the public. All meetings, court appearances, mediations, settlement negotiations, etc. will occur by telephone or video conference. Please contact our office at 650-458-2300 or info@adzlawstg.wpengine.com if you would like to schedule a virtual appointment with one of our attorneys or paralegals for ongoing cases or new cases.
CALIFORNIA EXECUTIVE ORDERS (link)
HEALTH GUIDANCE DURING THE PANDEMIC
Centers for Disease Control COVID Guidance (link)
CA Department of Public Health Guidelines (link)
COURT RESPONSES TO PANDEMIC
Emergency Court Closures and Provisions Related to Domestic (link)
**Each court has specific (and different) procedures during the pandemic: some may allow e-filing, others may not; some have self-help centers to assist you; some require in-person drop off of DV restraining orders and others do not. ADZ is diligently tracking the changes and provisions, to ensure any existing or new clients needing a DV Restraining Order, can obtain one safely. **
Judicial Council Emergency Orders (link)
Importantly:
-Timeframes for specified temporary restraining orders are extended. (Emergency Rule 8, Amended effective April 20, 2020)
-The statute of limitations was suspended until Aug. 3 (for case types with statutes of limitations of 180 days or less) and Oct 1 (for case types with statutes of limitations 180 days or more). (Emergency Rule 9, Adopted effective May 29)
-Support orders may be made retroactive to date of service, not filing (Emergency Rule 13, Adopted effective April 20, 2020)
**Consult an attorney to understand how these emergency provisions influence your case **
Bay Area Superior Courts: Information & Guidance
**ADZ is tracking in real-time all Emergency Orders; Local Change Rules; Temporary Schedule Changes; Remote Access Procedures; Memos regarding Court Operations; etc. as they are being released by courts in the 5 Bay Area counties and beyond. We are providing advice to current and new clients navigating the courts during these trying times.**
Court Webpages with COVID-19 Information:
- Alameda: http://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/Pages.aspx/COVID-19
- San Francisco: https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/general-info/Information-Regarding-Coronavirus-And-Court-Operations
- San Mateo County: https://www.sanmateocourt.org/
- Santa Clara County: http://www.scscourt.org/general_info/news_media/covid19.shtml
- Contra Costa County: http://www.cc-courts.org/
SAFETY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS
National Domestic Violence Hotline (link)
Crisis Counselors are available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) in more than 200 languages. All calls are free and confidential. The same support is available through
National Sexual Assault Hotline (link)
Call 1-800-656-4673
Seeking Help Online: National Resources & Considerations for Safety and Privacy During a Public Health Crisis (link)
**ADZ recognizes and upholds legal provisions that provide different and additional protections to survivors of domestic violence who are parents. Consult with an attorney if the pandemic’s pressures make you at all anxious or fearful about your parenting/custody/visitation plans **
ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS
Economic Impact Payments, Internal Revenue Services (link)
COVID-19 Economic impact payments (”stimulus checks”), Neighborhood Legal Services of LA and Western Center on Law & Poverty (link)
Economic Impact Payment (EIP) prepaid card (link)
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
National Alliance on Mental Illness COVID Information & Resources (link)
Resources for emotional support and well-being (link)
HELPFUL LINKS FOR PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN
Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19, National Association of School Psychologists (link)
Helping children cope with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak, World Health Organization (link)
DISTANCE LEARNING
Distance Learning Student Resource Guide (link)
HOUSING
Know your Rights as Tenants (link)
COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020 (September) (link)
ADZ BLOGS: LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS DURING COVID
Zoom-Bombing and Online Sexual Misconduct: What are your Options (link)
Bay Area Courts Remain Open for Domestic Violence Restraining Orders During Shelter in Place Order (link)
Tech Safety: Staying Connected Safely While Shelter in Place (link)
What COVID-19 has Meant for Domestic Violence in California (link)
Community Law Night: Since April 2020, ADZ has continued to partner with CORA, Bay Area Legal Aid, San Mateo County Bar Association, and San Mateo County Law Library Foundation, to provide FREE 20-minute legal information/ advice for survivors of domestic violence. Call (650) 363-4913 for information about the next Community Law Night.