CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW
...Procedure Before Trial/Hearing
......Judicial Officers/Referees/Masters
.........Referees/Special Masters
............Case Authority
5 Cards On This Topic:

Although the trial court must defer to a Referee’s findings, it is not bound to accept them.

Nonconsensual reference to special master of "any and all issues" re custody was overbroad and unauthorized by statute.

Special Master acted properly and within his authority in making ordered credibility assessment of parties.

Court may not delegate judicial authority to special master to determine factual issues relating to spousal support, absent stipulation.

Dissolution trial before referee, in absence of consent of parties, is error.