If you're here, you likely experienced what is outlined in the What to expect during your Child Custody Recommending Counseling (CCRC) appointment article.


Appearing before a judge that is familiar with CCRC services and the low caliber of their work is essential to your having the opportunity to present your disagreements. More information on this can be found here: What should I know about my court date?


Filing an addendum to your case stating your reasons for disagreeing with the CCRC's recommendation is necessary to clearly outline inaccuracies and why the recommendation should not be adopted. It is important to put time into this, as it can be a very powerful way to sway the court and realign how the court views you. DwD has seen cases with up to 10 CCRC recommendation appointments and recommendations where the DwD client has contested each recommendation and the court did not adopt it. There is hope!


The format for the addendum should follow something similar to:

  • Title - Something along the lines of "Disagreement with Child Custody Recommending Counselor's report dated MM/DD/YYYY Case#: XXXXXXXXXX"
  • Introduction - A brief description of the session and what your issues are with the report (not-factual, contains errors, etc) which you will outline below. 
  • List the specific items you disagree with in the report with a brief reason why (1 - 2 lines each)
  • List the recommendations and whether you agree with each recommendation or not. If you do not agree with that recommendation state what you would agree to
  • Thank the court for reviewing your requests

Try to keep your document brief as the judge will likely not review it until you appear before them in court. 


DwD can help revise and review your document for tone, objectivity, clarity, and formatting. 

After the document is filed with the court, the other party will need to be served (generally 10-days) before the hearing. The more notice you can give to the other party the more it will make you appear like you have nothing to hide (which you can also state in court). 


Given the level of professionalism in the Alameda County CCRC department, you may find yourself receiving the CCRC report just a few days before your hearing, or in some cases, in court on the day of your hearing. 

  • If you received your CCRC report before the hearing but without time to serve the response, it is still better to file your response before your hearing, the other party can be served in court. 
  • If it was delivered the day before the hearing, you can prepare and file your response in court.
  • If you received your CCRC recommendation in court, you can request a continuance so that you have time to review it and be prepared for the hearing.