Dissolution of marriage: bifurcated judgment: service.

Existing law, if there is a modification of a judgment or order or a subsequent order in a specified proceeding relating to marriage, including dissolution of marriage, or in any other proceeding in which there was at issue the visitation, custody, or support of a child, requires that service for the new order or proceeding be made upon the party in the same manner as the notice is otherwise permitted to be served. Existing law specifies that service upon the attorney of record is not sufficient. This bill would require service to be upon the attorney of record for represented parties or upon the parties themselves if unrepresented when the court has ordered an issue or issues bifurcated for separate trial in advance of the disposition of the entire case. The bill, however, would require service to be upon both the party and the attorney of record if a pleading has not been filed in the action for a period of 6 months after the entry of the bifurcated judgment.