Six-month review hearing: 6 months after initial disposition

6 months after date of the initial dispositional hearing, under Welf. & Inst. Code 366.21(e)(1).

Rule text

(e) (1) At the review hearing held 6 months after the initial dispositional hearing, but no later than 12 months after the date the child entered foster care as determined in Section 361.49, whichever occurs earlier,

Welf. & Inst. Code 366.21(e)(1), official source

Calculate this deadline

Deadline
Thursday, May 6, 2027
  1. Trigger (Date of the initial dispositional hearing): Friday, November 6, 2026.
  2. Add 6 months: Thursday, May 6, 2027.
Rules applied
Welf. & Inst. Code 366.21(e)(1)
(e) (1) At the review hearing held 6 months after the initial dispositional hearing, but no later than 12 months after the date the child entered foster care as determined in Section 361.49, whichever occurs earlier,
Official source
Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 10, 133-135; Gov. Code 6800; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10. 'Judicial day' / 'court day': not defined in WIC or CRC 5.502.
CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a(a): "If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays." CCP 10: "Holidays within the meaning of this code are every Sunday and any other days that are specified or provided for as judicial holidays in Section 135." CCP 133: "Courts of justice may be held and judicial business transacted on any day, except as provided in this article." Gov. Code 6800: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CRC 1.10(a): "The time in which any act provided by these rules is to be performed is computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, and then it is also excluded." CRC 1.10(b): "Unless otherwise provided by law, if the last day for the performance of any act that is required by these rules to be performed within a specific period of time falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the period is extended to and includes the next day that is not a holiday."
Official source
  • Whichever is EARLIER of this date or 12 months after entry into foster care (dep_six_month_review_outer_12_months_foster_care). Also the end of court-ordered services for a child under 3 at removal (WIC 361.5(a)(1)(B)). For a 342/387 petition, that disposition is the initial disposition (361.49(b)(2)). Reports due 10 calendar days before (dep_review_report_10_calendar_days_before).
  • If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.

This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.

Worked example

Date of the initial dispositional hearing on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Wednesday, September 15, 2027.

  1. Trigger (Date of the initial dispositional hearing): Monday, March 15, 2027.
  2. Add 6 months: Wednesday, September 15, 2027.

Unsettled points

  • These are court-set dates; the calculator shows the last court day inside each statutory window, the date a court is most likely to use, and labels it court-set.Other reading: If CCP 12a extends these windows, a weekend or holiday last day rolls forward and the hearing may be one to three days later.

Notes

Whichever is EARLIER of this date or 12 months after entry into foster care (dep_six_month_review_outer_12_months_foster_care). Also the end of court-ordered services for a child under 3 at removal (WIC 361.5(a)(1)(B)). For a 342/387 petition, that disposition is the initial disposition (361.49(b)(2)). Reports due 10 calendar days before (dep_review_report_10_calendar_days_before).

Related deadlines

All California juvenile deadlines

Local rules by county

County local rules and courtroom procedures can add to or change this deadline. Pick a county to calculate with them applied.

Rules current as of 2026-10-26. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.