How much divorce/custody type paperwork that gets filed with the court is available to the public?

Brief synopsis: I live in CA. I suspect OM is lying to my WW. Many months ago she told me that "OM doesn't have to file for divorce because OMW filed against him," except that case had been dismissed over a year earlier and was no longer viable. When I pointed this out to her, she said "I only know what his lawyer told him."

Flash forward. OM eventually filed for divorce, and I was told by WW that OM has full legal and physical custody of his children because of how mentally unstable OMW is. I have spoken with OMW several times on the phone, and she sounds sane to me. I would like to know the reality of the situation but don't really want to get the information from OMW, because I don't want to stir up a big drama (driving OM and WW together).

So my question is: can I just go to the court and look this up? If there is some kind of custody judgement, is it public record? Anyone know?

Depends on the state, court and/or the judge.

My guess is that you should be able to go to the court, check the computer to get a file number, take the file number to the clerk counter and request to see the file. Unless the file has been sealed (which is unlikely) you should be able to review it and make photo copies (for a fee) of anything you want.

I imagine some states seal ALL their family court matters I just haven't heard of it. Maybe the custody issues get sealed but not the divorce issues. California...with all the public figures MAY be more protective of their proceedings.

Just try it...it should all be public record. Wear a suit and they will think you are a lawyer entitled to see the file anyway.

Mr. Wondering

Thanks, MrW! I was hoping you would see this.

This is exactly how I found about my FWH's OW#1 and OW#2. With the first one he just dropped first names every now and then of OW and her husband and that they were going through a nasty divorce. I searched the court records (from home!) and found them based on their first names only. I then went to the courthouse, requested the file (no one asked why) and looked through everything, including the sworn affidavits that were necessary for the Judge to order supervised visitation for OW#1.

I also found out about OW#2 the same way. I didn't have a name until I saw a deposit go through our joint account where she wrote him a check. I did the same thing and found out that they weren't even divorced yet (as my FWH had said). They were in the process.

Finally, when OW#1 was arrested for DWI (another court record search) I again went to the court house and requested the file. Usually in Texas you can't look at an open criminal case file but since she had already pled out I was able to look at it, including reports about her history, intake report and details of her arrest.

So yes, as Mr. W said, most court records ARE available to the public. If the clerks are funny about handing over the records, you could just tell them that you're investigating an unrelated confidential matter.

PM,

Next time the Spying 101 thread gets bounced up you should copy and paste the above post. To many newly bs's overlook the obvious. Court records are just to easy and legal to get. Easier than planting recording devices and GPS's. They may not reveal as much pertinent information as you seemed to get but at least it's a reliable source of some truths.

Mr. Wondering

sdguy, get back in plan B, don't make me bring the 2x4.

Busted!

*snort*

SD, CA seals family court records. You have to show ID to get copies of records.

Thanks, FF. I guess they have to be the right ID, too, huh?