The Family Code and the Probate Code, in particular, contain several statutes making specific rulings in those substantive areas appealable. A final judgment is, in general, one that finally and completely adjudicates all of the rights of all of the parties to the action. Usually it will be obvious what constitutes a final judgment, but there can be situations where it is not obvious. An interlocutory judgment is simply one that determines some, but not all, of the rights of the parties to the litigation, such as a ruling determining only one issue in a bifurcated trial. Also, although orders generally are not appealable, certain orders are expressly made appealable by statute.
Some orders are also specifically reviewable only by writ petition.
In this context, it is important to remember that failure to appeal from an appealable ruling will generally result in loss of the right either to appeal it or have it reviewed on a subsequent appeal from the final judgment. Remember that it is the effect of the ruling, and not the name given to it, that determines whether it is appealable. Consequently, what's designated an order or an interlocutory judgment may in reality be either a final judgment or a severable, partial adjudication, and hence appealable.