Legal Statutes: California

UPDATED October 22, 2012

Print this page

Back to California overview

• California Codes (select sections)
  • Civil Code
    • Division 3. Obligations
      • Part 3. Obligations Imposed by Law
        • 1708.7. Stalking; tort action; damages and equitable remedies
      • Part 4. Obligations Arising from Particular Transactions
        • Title 5. Hiring
          • Chapter 2. Hiring of Real Property
            • 1946. Renewable hiring; notice of termination
            • 1946.7. Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; written notice to terminate tenancy; requirements of notice
  • Code of Civil Procedure
    • Part 2. Of Civil Actions
      • Title 3. Of the Parties to Civil Actions
        • Chapter 3. Disability of Party
          • 372. Minors, incompetent persons or persons for whom conservator appointed; appearance by guardian, conservator or guardian ad litem; powers; disposition of moneys recovered; waiver of juvenile law rights
      • Title 5. Jurisdiction and Service of Process
        • Chapter 4. Service of Summons
          • Article 2. Persons Who May Serve Summons
            • 414.10. Authorized persons
      • Title 7. Other Provisional Remedies in Civil Actions
        • Chapter 3. Injunction
          • 525. Definition; grant; enforcement
          • 526. Cases in which authorized; restrictions on grant
          • 527. Grants before judgment upon verified complaint or affidavits; service; notice; procedures; application; fees
          • 527.6. Harassment; temporary restraining order and injunction; procedure; domestic violence; support person; costs and attorney fees; punishment
          • 527.8. Employees subject to unlawful violence or threat of violence at the workplace; temporary restraining order; injunction; constitutional protections for speech and activities
    • Part 3. Of Special Proceedings of a Civil Nature
      • Title 5. Of Contempts
        • 1218 Determination of guilt; punishment; restrictions on enforcement of orders by party in contempt; action for contempt of domestic violence prevention order
      • Title 11.6. Civil Action Mediation
        • 1775.1. Definitions
        • 1775.2 Application of title
  • Family Code
    • Division 6. Nullity, Dissolution, and Legal Separation
      • Part 3. Dissolution of Marriage and Legal Separation
        • Chapter 2. Grounds for Dissolution or Legal Separation
          • 2310. Grounds for dissolution or legal separation
          • 2311. Irreconcilable differences defined
          • 2312. Incurable insanity
        • Chapter 3. Residence Requirements
          • § 2320. Entry of judgment of dissolution; entry of judgment for dissolution, nullity, or legal separation of a marriage between persons of the same sex
    • Division 8. Custody of Children
      • Part 1. Definitions and General Provisions
        • Chapter 1. Definitions
          • 3000. Construction of division
          • 3002. Joint custody
          • 3003. Joint legal custody
          • 3004. Joint physical custody
          • 3006. Sole legal custody
          • 3007. Sole physical custody
        • Chapter 2. General Provisions
          • 3010. Custody of unemancipated minor children
          • 3011. Best interest of child; considerations
      • Part 2. Right to Custody of a Minor Child
        • Chapter 1. General Provisions
          • 3020. Legislative findings and declarations; health, safety, and welfare of children; continuing contact with parents
          • 3021. Application of part
          • 3022. Order for custody
          • 3022.3. Statement of decision
          • 3022.5. Motion by parent for reconsideration of child custody order after conviction of spouse for false accusation of child abuse against parent
          • 3023. Sole contested issue or order for separate trial on issue; preference for trial date
          • 3024. Notice to other parent of change of residence of child
          • 3025. Parental access to records
          • 3025.5. Psychological evaluations of children; confidentiality; exceptions
          • 3026. Family reunification services
          • 3027. Allegations of child abuse or child sexual abuse
          • 3027.1. False accusations of child abuse or neglect during child custody proceedings; knowledge; penalties
          • 3027.5. Sexual abuse of child; report or treatment; limitations on custody or visitation
          • 3028. Compensation; failure to assume caretaker responsibility; thwarting of other parent's visitation or custody rights; attorney's fees
          • 3029. Noncustodial parent's liability for support if custodial parent is receiving AFDC assistance; order
          • 3030. Sex offenders; murderers; custody and visitation; child support; disclosure of information relating to custodial parent
          • 3030.5. Modification or termination of order for physical or legal custody or unsupervised visitation order; sex offenders required to be registered
          • 3031. Protective or restraining orders; findings; transfer of children; detail specific custody or visitation orders; required presence of third party
          • 3032. Pilot program to provide interpreter in child custody or protective order cases; lack of English proficiency and financial ability of party; report to legislature
        • CHAPTER 2 Matters to be Considered in Granting Custody
          • 3040. Order of preference
          • 3041. Custody award to nonparent; findings of court; hearing
          • 3041.5. Controlled substances or alcohol abuse testing of persons seeking custody or visitation; grounds for testing; confidentiality of results; penalties for unauthorized disclosure
          • 3042. Preference of child; custody or visitation; examination of child witnesses; addressing the court; means other than direct testimony; determination of wish to express preference; rule of court
          • 3043. Nomination of guardian by parent
          • 3044. Presumption against persons perpetrating domestic violence
          • 3046. Party absence or relocation from residence; consideration; interference with contact; application
          • 3047. Modification of custody or visitation orders; military duty, temporary duty, mobilization, or deployment as justification; temporary custody orders; ability to appear at hearing; legislative intent
          • 3048. Required contents for custody or visitation orders; risk of child abduction; risk factors and preventative measures; notation of preventative conditions on minute order of court proceedings; Child Abduction Unit; child custody order forms
        • CHAPTER 3 Temporary Custody Order During Pendency of Proceedings
          • 3060. Petition for temporary custody order
          • 3061. Agreement or understanding on custody; temporary custody order
          • 3062. Ex parte temporary custody orders; hearing; extension of order if responding party avoiding jurisdiction
          • 3063. Order restraining removal of child from state
          • 3064. Restrictions on ex parte orders granting or modifying custody order
        • CHAPTER 4 Joint Custody
          • 3080. Presumption of joint custody
          • 3081. Application by parents; custody investigation
          • 3082. Statement of reasons for grant or denial
          • 3083. Contents and construction of joint legal custody order
          • 3084. Rights of parents to physical control of child
          • 3085. Grant of joint legal custody without joint physical custody
          • 3086. Orders of joint physical custody or joint legal custody; designation of primary caretaker and primary home of child
          • 3087. Modification or termination of joint custody order; statement of reasons
          • 3088. Modification of custody order to joint custody order
          • 3089. Conciliation court; consultation by court or parties
        • CHAPTER 5 Visitation Rights
          • 3100. Joint custody orders; visitation rights; domestic violence prevention orders; transfer of children; detail specific orders; confidentiality of shelter locations
          • 3101. Stepparent's visitation rights
          • 3102. Deceased parent; visitation rights of close relatives; adoption of child
          • 3103. Grandparent's rights; custody proceeding
          • 3104. Grandparent's rights; petition by grandparent
          • 3105. Former legal guardians; visitation rights
        • CHAPTER 7 Action for Exclusive Custody
          • 3120. Action for exclusive custody; order
          • 3121. Attorney’s fees and costs; findings; temporary order; default; statewide rule of court
        • CHAPTER 11 Mediation of Custody and Visitation Issues
          • Article 1. General Provisions
            • 3160. Mediators; availability; duties of court
            • 3161. Purpose of mediation proceedings
            • 3162. Uniform standards of practice; contents; adoption by judicial council
            • 3163. Local rules; development
            • 3164. Qualifications of mediators
            • 3165. Continuing education; clinical supervisors of evaluators, investigators, and mediators
          • Article 2. Availability of Mediation
            • 3170. Setting matters for mediation; guidelines for handling domestic violence cases
            • 3171. Stepparent or grandparent visitation; setting matter for mediation; waiver of parental right to object or require a hearing
            • 3172. Paternity disputes; availability of mediation proceedings
            • 3173. Mediation of disputes relating to existing custody or visitation orders; filing of petition
          • Article 3. Mediation Proceedings
            • 3175. Setting matter before or concurrent with hearing
            • 3176. Notice of mediation and hearing
            • 3177. Confidentiality of proceedings
            • 3178. Restrictions on mediation agreements
            • 3179. Modification of agreements
            • 3180. Duties of mediators
            • 3181. Domestic violence history between the parties; separate meetings; intake forms
            • 3182. Authority of mediators; exclusion of counsel; exclusion of domestic violence support person
            • 3183. Child custody recommending counseling; written report provided to parties and counsel; investigation when agreement not reached; restraining order to protect child well-being
            • 3184. Appointment of counsel to represent minor child; recommendations
            • 3185. Failure to reach mediation agreement; visitation rights hearing
            • 3186. Report of agreement; confirmation or incorporation of agreement in order
            • 3188. Confidential mediation program
        • CHAPTER 12 Counseling of Parents and Child
          • 3190. Court order to participate in counseling; costs
          • 3191. Goals of outpatient counseling
          • 3192. Separate counseling sessions; history of abuse in family relationship
      • Part 3. Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement
        • CHAPTER 1 General Provisions, Sec 3402-3405
        • CHAPTER 2 Jurisdiction, Sec 3421- 3426
        • CHAPTER 3 Enforcement, Sec 3443 - 3453
    • Division 9. Support
      • Part 2. Child Support
        • Chapter 2. Court-Ordered Child Support
          • Article 1. General Provisions
            • 4001. Order for support
            • 4002. Enforcement of right of support; reimbursement of county
            • 4003. Separate trial; calendar preference; joinder with custody
          • Article 2. Statewide Uniform Guideline
            • 4055. Statewide uniform guidelines for determining child support
    • Division 10. Prevention of Domestic Violence
      • Part 1. Short Title and Definitions, Secs 6200-6219
      • Part 2. General Provisions, Secs. 6220-6228
      • Part 3. Emergency Protective Orders
        • CHAPTER 1. General Provisions, Secs. 6240-6241
        • CHAPTER 2. Issuance and Effect of Emergency Protective Order, Secs. 6250-6257
        • CHAPTER 3. Duties of Law Enforcement Officer, Secs. 6270-6275
      • Part 4. Protective Orders and Other Domestic Violence Prevention Orders
        • CHAPTER 1. General Provisions, Secs. 6300-6306
        • CHAPTER 2. Issuance of Orders
          • Article 1. Ex Parte Orders, Secs. 6320-6327
          • Article 2. Orders Issuable After Notice and Hearing, Secs. 6340-6346
          • Article 3. Orders Included in Judgment, Secs. 6360-6361
        • CHAPTER 3. Registration and Enforcement of Orders, Secs. 6380-6389
      • PART 5. Uniform Interstate Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act, Secs., 6400-6409
  • Welfare and Institutions Code (incl. elder abuse)
    • Division 9. Public Social Services
      • Part 3. Aid and Medical Assistance
        • CHAPTER 11 Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act
          • Article 8.5. CIVIL ACTIONS FOR ABUSE OF ELDERLY OR DEPENDENT ADULTS
            • Sec. 15657.03 Protective orders
  • Penal Code
    • Preliminary Provisions
      • 17. Felony; misdemeanor; infraction; classification of offenses
    • Part 1 Of Crimes and Punishments
      • Title 7 Of Crimes Against Public Justice
        • Chapter 6 Falsifying Evidence, and Bribing, Influencing, Intimidating, or Threatening Witnesses
          • 136.2. Court orders available in response to good cause belief of harm to, intimidation of, or dissuasion of victim or witness; precedence of emergency protective orders for enforcement purposes; violation of orders; firearms; protocol promulgated by Judicial Co
      • Title 8 Of Crimes Against the Person
        • Chapter 3. Kidnapping
          • 207. Kidnapping defined
        • Chapter 8. False Imprisonment
          • 236. Definition
        • Chapter 9. Assault and Battery Assault and Battery
          • 240. Assault defined
          • 241. Assault; punishment
          • 242. Battery defined
          • 243. Battery; punishment
          • 243.4. Sexual battery
      • Title 9. Of Crimes Against the Person Involving Sexual Assault, and Crimes Against Public Decency and Good Morals
        • Chapter 1. Rape, Abduction, Carnal Abuse of Children, and Seduction
          • 261. Rape defined
          • 261.5. Unlawful sexual intercourse with person under 18; age of perpetrator; civil penalties
          • 261.6. Consent; current or previous dating or marital relationship; admissibility of evidence or burden of proof
          • 261.7. Evidence that victim requested that defendant use condom or other birth control device; consent
          • 262. Rape of a spouse; elements; conditions of probation; fines, payments, or restitution
          • 266c. Unlawful sexual intercourse, sexual penetration, oral copulation, or sodomy; consent procured by false or fraudulent representation with intent to create fear; punishment
        • Chapter 2 Abandonment and Neglect of Children
          • 273.6 Intentional and knowing violation of court order to prevent harassment, disturbing the peace, or threats or acts of violence; penalties
        • Chapter 5. Bigamy, Incest, and the Crime Against Nature
          • 286. Sodomy; punishment
          • 288a. Oral copulation; punishment
          • 289. Forcible acts of sexual penetration; punishment
      • Title 15. Miscellaneous Crimes
        • Chapter 2. Of Other and Miscellaneous Offenses
          • 646.9. Stalking
          • 653m. Telephone calls or contact by electronic communication device with intent to annoy
    • Part 6. Control of Deadly Weapons
      • Title 4. Firearms
        • Division 9. Special Firearm Rules Relating to Particular Persons
          • Chapter 2. Person Convicted of Specified Offense, Addicted to Narcotic, or Subject to Court Order
            • Article 1. Prohibitions on Firearm Access
              • 29825. Persons restricted from purchasing, receiving, owning, or possessing firearm by temporary restraining order, injunction, or protective order; punishment for violation; probation; notice of restriction on protective order
  • Labor Code
    • Division 2. Employment Regulation and Supervision
      • Part 1. Compensation
        • Chapter 1. Payment of Wages
          • Article 1. General Occupations
            • 230. Jury duty; legal actions by domestic violence and sexual assault victims; right to time off; reinstatement and reimbursement; misdemeanor; right to file complaint with Division of Labor Standards Enforcement
            • 230.1. Employers with 25 or more employees; domestic violence and sexual assault victims; right to time off

CHAPTER 4 Joint Custody

back to top3080. Presumption of joint custody

There is a presumption, affecting the burden of proof, that joint custody is in the best interest of a minor child, subject to Section 3011, where the parents have agreed to joint custody or so agree in open court at a hearing for the purpose of determining the custody of the minor child.