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2024 Escheatment

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Mandatory Settlement Conferences

Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC) Information

The information below is intended to provide general information on what to expect and how to prepare for a Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC).

This information is not legal advice.

What is a MSC?

When there are issues you cannot resolve initially by agreement, parties can request a Settlement Conference and Trial. Parties are required to participate in a Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC) prior to conducting a trial.

An MSC is a meeting of the parties as part of a case resolution plan. The purpose of the MSC is for the parties to discuss the disputed issues and facts of the case in an effort to resolve their matter by agreement. On the day of the MSC, the parties will either reach a settlement agreement and begin the process of filing a Judgment with the Court to finalize their case, or, if no agreement can be reached, the Court will determine if another MSC is needed, or set the matter for a Trial Readiness Conference (TRC).

What is a TRC?

A Trial Readiness Conference (commonly referred to as a (TRC) is scheduled to ensure that the parties are prepared for trial. The TRC is held to make sure the proper paperwork for trial has been completed, served and filed with the Court. Prior to the TRC the parties must comply with the Trial Rules and Procedures as stated in the Trial Rules and Procedure, form RI-FL035.

If both parties have filed and served the necessary paperwork, the Judge or Commissioner will schedule a hearing date.

If the parties are not ready to proceed to trial, another TRC may be scheduled.

The TRC is also an opportunity to present a settlement agreement to the court and avoid the need for a trial.

Find Information About ...

When both parties agree to all the issues in the case, the parties can avoid the MSC requirement by preparing an Uncontested Judgment for court approval. Providing a judgment, disclosures, stipulations and court forms to the court before or during a Mandatory Settlement Conference lets the court know that you would like to finalize your divorce and that you do not need a trial.

Each party and their attorney, if represented, must personally attend the MSC. Failure to appear or failure to timely request a continuance of the MSC is good cause for sanctions. Sanctions can be monetary fines or removing a party from the case.

Both parties must be prepared to discuss how they would like to settle their case with the other party prior to the Mandatory Settlement Conference.  This is called a “Meet and Confer.” It is important for both parties to attempt to resolve as many issues as possible, and narrow down the issues that need to be litigated during the “Meet and Confer.”

The Judge will ask if the parties have met to discuss all the issues. If not, they will be asked to discuss those issues to see if they can be resolved. If a party reaches an agreement, a party or their attorney must prepare the judgment paperwork. If both parties represent themselves, they can contact Self-Help Services for more information on how to draft the final judgment.

If no agreement can be reached, the Judge may continue the MSC to the next available date to allow the parties to meet and confer prior to the next hearing.

If the parties cannot come to an agreement, the Judge may set the Trial Readiness Conference.

If you cannot attend your hearing you can request the court to continue the hearing. You will need to contact the other party first and see if they agree to the continuance. If they agree to the continuance, the parties can submit a stipulation. The parties would complete the Stipulation and Advisement to Continue Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC) and Order (RI-FL009) (pdf )

After the parties have completed the above form, it will need to submitted to the court for review and signature by the Judge. Once it has been continued, the court will send a notice with your new hearing date.

If the other party does not agree to the continuance, you will have to file the following documents to request that your hearing be rescheduled:

Each party must also prepare a written Settlement Conference Brief and timely file and serve the documents found in the MSC packet on the other party 10 days prior to the hearing.

Riverside Self Help Legal services offers an online video series to assist you in the preparation of all forms necessary to prepare for your MSC.

The packet can be found here:  MSC Packet.

These documents include:

  • Settlement Conference Declaration/Trial Brief
  • Income and Expense Declaration
  • Property Declarations for Community and Separate Property

We offer videos on how to complete all of these forms:

It is important to follow the instructions on the Notice of Mandatory Settlement Conference that will be mailed to you by the court. Please be sure you have also updated your address with the court by using an MC-040 to ensure that you receive this notice.

Forms Additional Information Instructional Video Form Packets / Guides
Final Declaration of Disclosure CA Courts Self Help (external site )   Riverside Fillable Packet (pdf )
Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150)   Contra Costa Court Video (external site )
  • Community Property Declaration (FL-160)
  • Separate Property Declaration (FL-160)
   Contra Costa Court Video (external site ) JCC Form FL-160 (external site pdf )
Schedule of Assets and Debts (FL-142)   Contra Costa Court Video (external site ) JCC Form FL-142 (external site pdf )
Financial Disclosure     Financial Disclosure - Riverside Fillable Packet (pdf )
Spousal Support Declaration     Spousal Support Declaration (pdf )
Proof of Service by Mail (FL-335)     JCC Form FL-335 (external site pdf )
Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC)
  • Trial Readiness Conference (TRC)
     English (pdf )

Self Help Assistance and Referrals:

Self Help Legal Services staff is available for free assistance to unrepresented parties. They can answer questions regarding forms and give you general information, but they cannot give you legal advice or go with you to court.  MSC Forms review is available to customers who have viewed the videos and have completed their MSC forms.

Self Help is not your lawyer, but a neutral person who does not represent any party. There is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Facilitator. Communications between you and the Facilitator are not confidential. You should consult with your own attorney if you want personalized legal advice or strategy, have a confidential conversation, or be represented by an attorney in court.

To learn more, contact Self Help Legal Services. 

PLEASE NOTE: You are required to view the MSC video series before receiving individual assistance from self-help staff.