Title FAM, California Fam. Code

(a) A subsequent marriage contracted by a person during the life of his or her former spouse, with a person other than the former spouse, is illegal and void, unless: (1) The former marriage has been dissolved or adjudged a nullity before the date of the subsequent marriage. (2) …

The effect of a judgment of dissolution of marriage when it becomes final is to restore the parties to the state of unmarried persons. (Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)

Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, the definitions in this chapter govern the construction of this division. (Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)

“Joint custody” means joint physical custody and joint legal custody. (Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)

“Joint legal custody” means that both parents shall share the right and the responsibility to make the decisions relating to the health, education, and welfare of a child. (Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)

“Joint physical custody” means that each of the parents shall have significant periods of physical custody. Joint physical custody shall be shared by the parents in such a way so as to assure a child of frequent and continuing contact with both parents, subject to Sections 3011 a…

“Sole legal custody” means that one parent shall have the right and the responsibility to make the decisions relating to the health, education, and welfare of a child. (Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)

“Sole physical custody” means that a child shall reside with and be under the supervision of one parent, subject to the power of the court to order visitation. (Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that it is the public policy of this state to ensure that the health, safety, and welfare of children shall be the court’s primary concern in determining the best interests of children when making any orders regarding the physical or legal c…

This part applies in any of the following: (a) A proceeding for dissolution of marriage. (b) A proceeding for nullity of marriage. (c) A proceeding for legal separation of the parties. (d) An action for exclusive custody pursuant to Section 3120. (e) A proceeding to determine phy…

The court may, during the pendency of a proceeding or at any time thereafter, make an order for the custody of a child during minority that seems necessary or proper. (Added by renumbering Section 3021 by Stats. 1993, Ch. 219, Sec. 116.12. Effective January 1, 1994.)

Upon the trial of a question of fact in a proceeding to determine the custody of a minor child, the court shall, upon the request of either party, issue a statement of the decision explaining the factual and legal basis for its decision pursuant to Section 632 of the Code of Civi…

A motion by a parent for reconsideration of an existing child custody order shall be granted if the motion is based on the fact that the other parent was convicted of a crime in connection with falsely accusing the moving parent of child abuse. (Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 406, Sec…

(a) If custody of a minor child is the sole contested issue, the case shall be given preference over other civil cases, except matters to which special precedence may be given by law, for assigning a trial date and shall be given an early hearing. (b) If there is more than one co…

In making an order for custody, if the court does not consider it inappropriate, the court may specify that a parent shall notify the other parent if the parent plans to change the residence of the child for more than 30 days, unless there is prior written agreement to the remova…

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, access to records and information pertaining to a minor child, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and school records, shall not be denied to a parent because that parent is not the child’s custodial parent. (Enacted by Stat…

(a) In a proceeding involving child custody or visitation rights, if a report containing psychological evaluations of a child or recommendations regarding custody of, or visitation with, a child is submitted to the court, including, but not limited to, a report created pursuant t…

Family reunification services shall not be ordered as a part of a child custody or visitation rights proceeding. Nothing in this section affects the applicability of Section 16507 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. (Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 219, Sec. 116.16. Effective Janua…

(a) If allegations of child abuse, including child sexual abuse, are made during a child custody proceeding and the court has concerns regarding the child’s safety, the court may take any reasonable, temporary steps as the court, in its discretion, deems appropriate under the cir…

(a) If a court determines, based on the investigation described in Section 3027 or other evidence presented to it, that an accusation of child abuse or neglect made during a child custody proceeding is false and the person making the accusation knew it to be false at the time the…

(a) A parent shall not be placed on supervised visitation, or be denied custody of or visitation with the parent’s child, and custody or visitation rights shall not be limited, solely because the parent did any of the following: (1) Lawfully reported suspected sexual abuse of the…

(a) The court may order financial compensation for periods when a parent fails to assume the caretaker responsibility or when a parent has been thwarted by the other parent when attempting to exercise custody or visitation rights contemplated by a custody or visitation order, inc…

An order granting custody to a parent who is receiving, or in the opinion of the court is likely to receive, assistance pursuant to the Family Economic Security Act of 1982 (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code) fo…

(a) (1) No person shall be granted physical or legal custody of, or unsupervised visitation with, a child if the person is required to be registered as a sex offender under Section 290 of the Penal Code where the victim was a minor, or if the person has been convicted under Secti…

(a) Upon the motion of one or both parents, or the legal guardian or custodian, or upon the court’s own motion, an order granting physical or legal custody of, or unsupervised visitation with, a child may be modified or terminated if either of the following circumstances has occu…

(a) Where the court considers the issue of custody or visitation the court is encouraged to make a reasonable effort to ascertain whether or not any emergency protective order, protective order, or other restraining order is in effect that concerns the parties or the minor. The c…

(a) The Judicial Council shall establish a state-funded one-year pilot project beginning July 1, 1999, in at least two counties, including Los Angeles County, pursuant to which, in any child custody proceeding, including mediation proceedings pursuant to Section 3170, any action …

This part may be cited as the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 867, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2000.)

As used in this part: (a) “Abandoned” means left without provision for reasonable and necessary care or supervision. (b) “Child” means an individual who has not attained 18 years of age. (c) “Child custody determination” means a judgment, decree, or other order of a court providi…

This part does not govern an adoption proceeding or a proceeding pertaining to the authorization of emergency medical care for a child. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 867, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2000.)

(a) A child custody proceeding that pertains to an Indian child as defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.) is not subject to this part to the extent that it is governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act. (b) A court of this state shall treat a tribe as…

(a) A court of this state shall treat a foreign country as if it were a state of the United States for the purpose of applying this chapter and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 3421). (b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), a child custody determination made in a f…

A child custody determination made by a court of this state that had jurisdiction under this part binds all persons who have been served in accordance with the laws of this state or notified in accordance with Section 3408 or who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court, a…

If a question of existence or exercise of jurisdiction under this part is raised in a child custody proceeding, the question, upon request of a party, must be given priority on the calendar and handled expeditiously. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 867, Sec. 3. Effective …

(a) Notice required for the exercise of jurisdiction when a person is outside this state may be given in a manner prescribed by the law of this state for service of process or by the law of the state in which the service is made. Notice must be given in a manner reasonably calcul…

(a) A party to a child custody proceeding, including a modification proceeding, or a petitioner or respondent in a proceeding to enforce or register a child custody determination, is not subject to personal jurisdiction in this state for another proceeding or purpose solely by re…

(a) A court of this state may communicate with a court in another state concerning a proceeding arising under this part. (b) The court may allow the parties to participate in the communication. If the parties are not able to participate in the communication, they must be given th…

(a) In addition to other procedures available to a party, a party to a child custody proceeding may offer testimony of witnesses who are located in another state, including testimony of the parties and the child, by deposition or other means allowable in this state for testimony …

(a) A court of this state may request the appropriate court of another state to do all of the following: (1) Hold an evidentiary hearing. (2) Order a person to produce or give evidence pursuant to procedures of that state. (3) Order that an evaluation be made with respect to the …

Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, the definitions in this chapter govern the construction of this division. (Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)

“Separate property” does not include quasi-community property. (Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)

(a) Although marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil, and not a religious, contract, a marriage may be solemnized by a priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious denomination who is 18 years of age or older. A person authorized by this subdivisi…

(a) For each county, the county clerk is designated as a commissioner of civil marriages. (b) The commissioner of civil marriages may appoint deputy commissioners of civil marriages who may solemnize marriages under the direction of the commissioner of civil marriages and shall p…

In addition to the persons permitted to solemnize marriages under Section 400, a county may license officials of a nonprofit religious institution, whose articles of incorporation are registered with the Secretary of State, to solemnize the marriages of persons who are affiliated…

Subject to this division, a person shall support the person’s spouse. (Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)

Subject to Section 914, a person shall support the person’s spouse while they are living together out of the separate property of the person when there is no community property or quasi-community property. (Enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10. Operative January 1, 1994.)