S1, E1: Family court judge Olivia Lockhart is a single mother and respected town leader in the small, coastal town of Cedar Cove, Washington. She makes news when she denies the divorce petition of Cecilia and Ian Randall, attracting the attention of local newspaper editor and newcomer to town Jack Griffin. Olivia soon finds herself at a crossroads in life when she is given the opportunity of becoming a federal judge and moving away from the family and friends who depend on her.