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California Notice of Withdrawal of Attorney of Record

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PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY (Name, State Bar number, and address):

TELEPHONE NO.:

FAX NO. (Optional):

E-MAIL ADDRESS (Optional):

ATTORNEY FOR (Name):

NC-120

FOR COURT USE ONLY

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF

STREET ADDRESS:

MAILING ADDRESS:

CITY AND ZIP CODE:

BRANCH NAME:

PETITION OF (Name of each petitioner):

FOR CHANGE OF NAME

CASE NUMBER:

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

1. Petitioner (name):

for a decree changing names as follows: filed a petition with this court

Present name

Proposed name

a.

to

b.

to

c.

to

d.

to

e.

to

Continued on Attachment 1.

2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING

a. Date:

Time:

Dept.:

Room:

b. The address of the court is same as noted above other (specify):

3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county (specify newspaper):

b. Other (specify):

Date:

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT

NOTE: When a Petition for Change of Name has been filed for a child and the other parent, if living, does not join in consenting to the name change, the petitioner must have a notice of the time and place of the hearing or a copy of the Order to Show Cause served on the other parent not less than 30 days prior to the hearing under Code of Civil Procedure section 413.10, 414.10, 415.10, or 415.40. If a petition to change the name of a child has been filed by a guardian, the guardian must (1) provide notice of the hearing to any living parent of the child by personal service at least 30 days before the hearing, or (2) if either or both parents are deceased or cannot be located, serve notice of the hearing on the child's grandparents, if living, not less than 30 days before the hearing under Code of Civil Procedure section 413.10, 414.10, 415.10, or 415.40. (This Note is included for the information of the petitioner and shall not be included in the Order to Show Cause published in the newspaper.)

Form Adopted for Mandatory Use

Judicial Council of California

NC-120 [Rev. July 1, 2007]

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

FOR CHANGE OF NAME

(Change of Name)

Code of Civil Procedure, § 1277

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What the California Notice of Withdrawal of Attorney of Record Is

The California Notice of Withdrawal of Attorney of Record is a formal court document filed when an attorney discontinues representation of a client in a pending matter. It records the change in counsel on the court docket, notifies the client and other parties, and triggers any required case updates or substituted representation procedures. The notice typically identifies the case caption, attorney and client names, bar number, reason for withdrawal (if required), and the attorney’s contact details for service. Local court rules and judge orders may impose additional filing or service steps.

Why a Proper Notice of Withdrawal Matters

Filing a correct Notice of Withdrawal protects the attorney from continued obligations, preserves client rights, and creates a clear public record for the court and opposing parties. Proper service reduces risk of missed deadlines and sanctions.

Why a Proper Notice of Withdrawal Matters

Who Typically Prepares or Receives This Notice

Timely completion and accurate service ensure the withdrawal takes legal effect without creating procedural complications for the case.

  • Withdrawing attorneys and their support staff who manage docketing and case closure tasks.
  • Clients who need official confirmation that counsel no longer represents them for a specific matter.
  • Opposing counsel and the court clerk who require updated representation records for filings and service.

Primary Signatories and Stakeholders

Withdrawing Attorney

An attorney of record (name and bar number) signs or files the notice and certifies service; this role requires compliance with court rules and professional conduct obligations to avoid appearing to abandon the client.

Client / Former Client

The client is served with the notice and must be informed of any upcoming deadlines; if unrepresented afterward, the client may need to obtain substitute counsel or file a notice of appearance pro se.

Core Components to Include in a Professional Notice

A complete Notice of Withdrawal follows court-caption conventions and includes items that make withdrawal effective while preserving the record and service chain.

Case Caption

Full case title and docket number at the top of the page so the court and all parties immediately recognize the matter associated with the withdrawal.

Attorney Identification

Full name, firm, California State Bar number, and contact information so the court record clearly shows which attorney is leaving representation.

Client Identification

Client name and role in the case (plaintiff, defendant), and the former attorney-client relationship to avoid confusion with similarly named parties.

Effective Date

A clear effective date or statement that withdrawal takes effect upon filing or upon court approval, depending on local rules and whether substitution is required.

Signature Block

Signature line for the withdrawing attorney (typed signature allowed if permitted), printed name, date, and an attorney’s affirmation that service requirements have been met.

Certificate of Service

A dated certificate describing how and when the notice was served on the client, opposing counsel, and the court clerk, including method of delivery.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Filing the Notice

Follow this sequence to prepare, file, and serve the Notice of Withdrawal to comply with court rules and preserve the record.

  • 01
    Prepare: Populate caption, attorney and client details, effective date, and service certificate.
  • 02
    Sign: Attorney signs or applies an accepted electronic signature and dates the notice.
  • 03
    File: Submit to the court via e-file or clerk’s office per local rules and obtain a filed-stamped copy.
  • 04
    Serve: Serve the client, opposing counsel, and other parties by the required methods and note service on the certificate.

How the Withdrawal Process Moves Through the Court System

The process typically moves from document preparation to filing, followed by service and any court response or substituted counsel appearance.

  • Document Creation: Draft notice with all required case and party details.
  • Clerk Filing: Court clerk files the notice and updates the docket.
  • Service: Notice served on client and parties per local rules.
  • Record Update: Docket reflects withdrawal; new counsel may file substitution of attorney.

Digital Workflow Settings to Streamline Filing and Service

Configure your digital workflow to capture required fields, preserve an audit trail, and match court filing and service rules.

Field Configuration
Signature Method Audit-trail eSignature with signer attribution
Authentication Email verification with optional SMS code
Filing Channel Prepare PDF for e-file or in-person clerk submission
Service Method Certified mail, personal service, or court-authorized electronic service

Digital Filing and eSubmission Considerations

Confirm local court e-filing rules before e-submitting; maintain a filed-stamped copy and certificate of service for the case file.

  • File Format: PDF/A or court-accepted PDF
  • Audit Trail: Timestamp, IP, and signer identity
  • Integrations: E-file systems or court portals

Timing and Deadlines to Watch

Several timing rules affect when withdrawal is effective and how soon service must occur; confirm local rules for exact deadlines.

Immediate Client Notice:

Notify client as soon as withdrawal is decided to avoid client prejudice.

File with Court:

File the notice promptly; some courts expect filing before last scheduled hearing.

Service on Parties:

Serve all parties per local rules immediately after filing.

Pending Deadlines:

Check for imminent filing dates and act to protect client interests.

Court Approval:

Certain matters require the court’s permission before withdrawal takes effect.

Key Milestones from Draft to Docket Update

Use this milestone sequence to plan each administrative and service step when withdrawing from a case.

01

Draft Notice

Complete form with case caption and attorney details.

02

Sign and Date

Attorney signs and dates the notice before filing.

03

File with Clerk

Submit to court and obtain filed-stamped copy.

04

Serve All Parties

Serve client, opposing counsel, and update docket entries.

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

  • Failing to include the correct docket number or caption, which can result in misfiling or the notice being ignored.
  • Not indicating the effective date or whether court approval is required, creating uncertainty about who is responsible for upcoming filings.
  • Neglecting to serve the client or opposing counsel properly, which can lead to sanctions or claims of abandonment.
  • Omitting a certificate of service or using an unsupported electronic format, undermining evidence of compliance with service rules.

Potential Consequences of an Incorrect or Untimely Notice

Professional Sanctions: Disciplinary proceedings
Court Sanctions: Fines or orders to cure defects
Missed Deadlines: Loss of client rights
Client Claims: Malpractice exposure
Case Delays: Adjournments and additional costs
Docket Confusion: Service and notice disputes

Key Data Elements and Security Notes

Signature Type: eSignature or ink
Service Method: Mail, personal, e-service
Document ID: Court docket number
Filing Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Attorney ID: Bar number
Retention Note: Maintain filed copy

eSignature Pricing Snapshot for Withdrawal Filing Workflows

Compare common features and starting prices for leading eSignature vendors; signNow is listed first per vendor order conventions.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Real-World Examples of Withdrawal Notices in Practice

Two real customer scenarios illustrate how digital workflows simplify withdrawal and preserve court records.

Optica Ventures

The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers.

  • Quick adoption across remote teams improved consistency.
  • Using a digital workflow ensured every Notice of Withdrawal was filed with a clear audit trail and served to all parties, reducing docket confusion and administrative rework.

Martin Properties

I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security.

  • Mobile and offline signing worked for field attorneys.
  • The team avoided delays in property litigation by filing withdraw notices electronically and retaining verifiable service records, which preserved client rights and sped up case transitions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Withdrawal Notices

Answers to common procedural and legal questions can help prevent errors when preparing, filing, and serving a Notice of Withdrawal.


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