§ 632.Written Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law; Statement of Decision

Written findings of fact aren't required in a superior court bench trial, but a statement of decision is, if a party asks for one. That statement has to explain the factual and legal basis for the court's ruling on each of the principal controverted issues at trial, and it has to be in writing unless the parties agree otherwise or the trial was short enough to allow an oral statement on the record.

This section carries two versions with different effective windows, reflecting a 2025 overhaul that takes full effect on January 1, 2027. The version in force until then requires the request within 10 days after the court announces a tentative decision, unless the trial wrapped up in one calendar day or less than eight hours over more than one day, in which case the request must come before the matter is submitted for decision.

The version operative January 1, 2027 simplifies that timing — the request must always be made, in writing or orally with an official record being made, before the matter is submitted for decision, regardless of how long the trial took. But it adds considerably more structure elsewhere: the court can order a party to draft a proposed statement, either side can object within 10 days after service, unopposed statements become final automatically, and the statement's finality — along with a separate proposed-judgment and objection process — follows a detailed timetable the current version doesn't spell out. The newer version also lets a court shorten these deadlines for good cause in Family Code proceedings.