Featured Article: About Divorce Source...

California: California Child Custody Procedure and Development of Court Orders
(provided by, Arlene D. Kock, Esq.)

The parties may - and are encouraged to - enter into a written stipulation (agreement) on custody issues.

If the parties cannot agree, custody orders may be made at any time after the filing of an underlying divorce, paternity, or domestic violence action and may be modified at any time until the child(ren) turn eighteen. In contested cases, they are most commonly made:

1. At the time of the filing of the initial documents in a "Temporary Restraining Order"
2. Within a few weeks of the filing at a hearing on application for "Order To Show Cause"
3. At the time of trial

Modification Of California Child Custody Orders: Child custody orders may be modified at any time before they terminate as long as the party moving for the modification can show that there has been a change in circumstances affecting the welfare of the child(ren) since the last order. Such changes in circumstances include (but are by no means limited to):

• Change in residence of one of the parents. (This may require a motion for a "move-away order")
• The desire of an older child to increase or decrease visitation.
• Evidence of abuse of a child.
• Alteration of the child(ren)'s school schedule

Information provided by:
Arlene D. Kock, Esq.

Recommended Resources:
California Divorce Source
California Divorce Laws
California Community Forum
California Divorce Resources

Helpful Resources: About Divorce Source...

Copyright© All rights reserved by Divorce Source, Inc.
Please Read Our Disclaimer