Laufer v. Laufer

This matter is on for (1) custody review hearing regarding the parties’ daughter, Willow (DOB 3/27/2019). The parties were interviewed together by Family Court Services (“FCS”) on 4/30/2026, and FCS filed its Report & Recommendations with the Court on 5/8/2026. Father filed a Status Update Declaration on 5/15/2026. Although the Declaration references A and B as attachments, no attachments were filed with the Court. Mother filed a Statement of Agreement/Disagreement with the FCS Recommendations on 5/18/2026.

Custody/Visitation

The Court notes that on 8/15/2025, both parties were ordered to take a co-parenting class and present proof of successful completion at any future mediations or court hearings. The parties have failed to do so. The Court’s Findings and Order After Hearing following the 11/10/2025 hearing indicated the parties agreed to “forthwith” start co-parent counseling with Kaiser, and that Father would take all steps to set an immediate appointment with a Grow Therapy counselor. The Court finds no evidence that this has been done.

After reviewing and considering Father’s Declaration, the FCS Report & Recommendations and Mother’s Statement of Agreement/Disagreement, and noting that Willow appears to be doing well, the Court finds that it is in the best interests of Willow to adopt the recommendations of FCS, with some modifications, as set forth below. Therefore, the Court orders as follows:

1. All current orders shall remain in effect with the following additions/modifications.

Timeshare

2. Willow shall be with Stephanie during the following times (and with Dustan the

remainder of the time):

a. Every week from Sunday at 5:00 p.m. to Monday at 6:00 p.m. and every

Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. to Friday at 7:00 a.m.

3. Any changes to the custody schedule shall occur as mutually agreed upon.

Collateral Issues

4. Both parents shall complete a co-parenting class within the next 45 days and file

proof of successful completion with the Court, or face sanctions.

5. The parties shall attend co-parenting counseling through Kaiser, starting as soon as

possible, and shall follow the recommendations of the co-parenting counselor as to

frequency and duration of such therapy.

6. Neither parent shall expose Willow to any vaping or cigarette smoke or allow her to

see them vaping or smoking.

7. If either parent is unable to care for Willow overnight during their custodial time, they

shall give the other parent the right of first refusal to care for Willow.

8. Both parents shall ensure that Willow gets to school on time on their custodial days.

9. Parents shall respond to any emails about Willow within 48 hours.

Case Progress Conference

The Court notes that the case has been pending for 14 months. Father filed a Case Progress Conference Questionnaire on 5/12/2026 indicating that the parties have exchanged their Preliminary Disclosures and Father indicates that he is conducting discovery. The Court orders as follows:

10. Given the status, the matter is set for Case Progress Conference on August 25, 2026 at

9:00 am in Department E. It is anticipated that discovery will be complete by that

time, and the parties will be ready to set a Bench Bar Settlement Conference.

SO ORDERED.

Counsel for Father shall prepare the order.

Any party who disagrees with the Court's tentative ruling and wishes to have oral argument must notify the Court at (415) 444-7046 and opposing counsel (or if the opposing party is selfrepresented, notice must be given directly to the opposing party) of their intent to appear at the hearing for oral argument by 4:00 pm on the court day before the hearing, as required by Marin County Superior Court Family Law Local Rules 7.12(B) and (C). Notice may be given by telephone or in person. Absent proper notice, no oral argument will be permitted. If no request for oral argument is made, the tentative ruling will become the order of the Court.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, persons who requested oral argument must appear for the hearing in person or remotely via Zoom, in accordance with the Court website guidelines. If appearing remotely via Zoom (video or telephone), you are responsible for ensuring you have adequate connectivity; the Court may proceed in a party’s absence if technical issues arise. Proper Zoom etiquette and courtroom decorum are required, and failure to comply may result in the hearing being halted and an order to appear in person being made.