Legal Question in Family Law in California

Re: Good Cause Order

It sounds as if your children's father has obtained an emergency (ex parte) order which has cancelled the previous custody order. You should have received a copy of it. You respond to it using the form called Responsive Declaration. The form must be served by mail on him by having a friend mail a copy of it and sign a proof of service form. The original is filed with the court. If this was an ex parte motion then the court date will be on the first page. You must go to any mediation and court date even if you don't get the response in on time. The usual reason for such an order is that you are putting your children at risk. If you are accused of using alcohol or drugs when the children are with you the court may require that you be supervised until it appears that you have mended your ways. You may want to consult an attorney or the family court facilitator as soon as possible in that these accusations are taken very seriously by the court.