The Civil Division provides
legal processing services to individuals and businesses of Napa County
in the areas of Family Law, Probate Guardianships/Conservatorships, Mental
Health, General Civil (both limited and unlimited jurisdictions), Small
Claims and Unlawful Detainers. This division also provides services for
Juvenile Dependency and Juvenile Delinquency.
Appeals
- An appeal is a request to a higher court for review of a decision
made in a completed trial or proceeding.
Calendar - Civil
calendar format commencing January 2, 2007.
Limited
and Unlimited Jurisdiction - These rules are intended to implement
the Trial Court Delay Reduction Act of 1986 (Government Code Section
68600 et seq.) and shall apply to all civil actions filed after July
1, 1988 except juvenile.
Probate
- Probate is the legal process of validating a will, supervising the
administration of a will, and making distribution of estate assets to
beneficiaries.
Adoptions
- Adoption is a legal process whereby a person becomes a parent of a
child with all moral and legal obligations accompanying the relationship
as if the two were biological child and parent.
Research
and Records - You may personally appear and do an index search,
or you may send a written request and include the name of the person
or persons you are requesting a records search for as well as the approximate
year the case may have been filed.
Small
Claims - The amount in dispute may not exceed $5,000. You may file
as many claims as you wish for up to $2,500 in small claims court, but
are limited to 2 claims for up to $5,000 each calendar year.
Small
Claims Forms and Filing - Small claims filing instructions.
Tentative
Rulings - The Napa County Superior Court Tentative Ruling System
is intended to improve service to court customers, reduce the cost of
litigation as well as reduce the number of required court appearances.
Unlawful
Detainer - Keeping possession of real property without a right,
such as after a lease has expired, after being served with a notice
to quit (vacate, leave) for non-payment of rent.