Request for status only judgment (bifurcation)
18. KIM VANACORE V. DEREK VANACORE 25FL0413
Respondent filed a Request for Order (RFO) on February 25, 2026, seeking entry of a status only judgement. The matter was set on a shortened time basis. Respondent was directed to serve Petitioner on or before February 27, 2026. The court granted Petitioner until March 10, 2026 to file a Responsive Declaration.
Respondent’s request for bifurcation is denied due to failure to file the proper paperwork. While a party may request bifurcation of the issue of marital status, prior to doing so the party must ensure that “[a]ll pension plans that have not been divided by court order that require joinder ...” have been joined. Cal. Rule Ct. 5.390(d)(1). Additionally, a party seeking bifurcation is to submit a completed FL-315. Cal. Rule Ct. 5.390(a). Here, Respondent did not file the requisite FL-315 nor address the issue of any potential pension plans. Accordingly, the request to bifurcate is denied.
All prior orders not in conflict with this order remain in full force and effect. Respondent is directed to prepare the Findings and Orders After Hearing (FOAH), however this order is effective immediately upon the court’s adoption of the tentative ruling and is not conditioned on the preparation of the FOAH.
TENTATIVE RULING #18: RESPONDENT’S REQUEST BIFURCATION AND ENTRY OF A STATUS ONLY JUDGMENT ARE DENIED. ALL PRIOR ORDERS NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ORDER REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT. RESPONDENT IS DIRECTED TO PREPARE THE FINDINGS AND ORDERS AFTER HEARING (FOAH), HOWEVER THIS ORDER IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON THE COURT’S ADOPTION OF THE TENTATIVE RULING AND IS NOT CONDITIONED ON THE PREPARATION OF THE FOAH.
NO HEARING ON THIS MATTER WILL BE HELD UNLESS A REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT IS TRANSMITTED ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THE COURT’S WEBSITE OR BY PHONE CALL TO THE COURT AT (530) 621-6725 BY 4:00 P.M. ON THE DAY THE TENTATIVE RULING IS ISSUED. CAL. RULE CT. 3.1308; LOCAL RULE 8.05.07; SEE ALSO LEWIS V. SUPERIOR COURT, 19 CAL.4TH 1232, 1247 (1999). NOTICE TO ALL PARTIES OF A REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT AND THE GROUNDS UPON WHICH ARGUMENT IS BEING REQUESTED MUST BE MADE BY PHONE CALL OR IN PERSON BY 4:00 P.M. ON THE DAY THE TENTATIVE RULING IS ISSUED. CAL. RULE CT. 3.1308; LOCAL RULE 8.05.07.
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