Termination-of-parental-rights appeal: opening brief 30 days after record filed

30 days after date the record was filed in the reviewing court, under Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.416(e)(1).

Rule text

(1) To permit determination of the appeal within 250 days after the notice of appeal is filed, the appellant must serve and file the appellant's opening brief within 30 days after the record is filed in the reviewing court.

Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.416(e)(1), official source

Calculate this deadline

Deadline
Monday, December 7, 2026
  1. Trigger (Date the record was filed in the reviewing court): Friday, November 6, 2026.
  2. Exclude the trigger day and count 30 calendar days: Sunday, December 6, 2026.
  3. That day is a Sunday, so the deadline moves to the next court day: Monday, December 7, 2026 (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.).
Rules applied
Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.416(e)(1)
(1) To permit determination of the appeal within 250 days after the notice of appeal is filed, the appellant must serve and file the appellant's opening brief within 30 days after the record is filed in the reviewing court.
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
  • Rule 8.416 governs appeals from all orders terminating parental rights (366.26 / Fam. Code 7800) and all dependency appeals in Orange, Imperial, and San Diego Counties (and other courts by local rule). Respondent 30 days and reply 20 days per 8.412(b). Extensions only on an exceptional showing of good cause.
  • 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 the record was filed in the reviewing court on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Wednesday, April 14, 2027.

  1. Trigger (Date the record was filed in the reviewing court): Monday, March 15, 2027.
  2. Exclude the trigger day and count 30 calendar days: Wednesday, April 14, 2027.

Notes

Rule 8.416 governs appeals from all orders terminating parental rights (366.26 / Fam. Code 7800) and all dependency appeals in Orange, Imperial, and San Diego Counties (and other courts by local rule). Respondent 30 days and reply 20 days per 8.412(b). Extensions only on an exceptional showing of good cause.

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.