DecisionDepot
California legal research

California Family Code

§ 3041

FAM § 3041 Effective Jan 1, 2020Div. 8 · Part 2 · Ch. 2
(a)Before making an order granting custody to a person other than a parent, over the objection of a parent, the court shall make a finding that granting custody to a parent would be detrimental to the child and that granting custody to the nonparent is required to serve the best interest of the child. Allegations that parental custody would be detrimental to the child, other than a statement of that ultimate fact, shall not appear in the pleadings. The court may, in its discretion, exclude the public from the hearing on this issue.
(b)Subject to subdivision (d), a finding that parental custody would be detrimental to the child shall be supported by clear and convincing evidence.
(c)As used in this section, “detriment to the child” includes the harm of removal from a stable placement of a child with a person who has assumed, on a day-to-day basis, the role of the child’s parent, fulfilling both the child’s physical needs and the child’s psychological needs for care and affection, and who has assumed that role for a substantial period of time. A finding of detriment does not require a finding of unfitness of the parents.

Legislative history

Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 115, Sec. 27. (AB 1817) Effective January 1, 2020.

Source: California Family Code § 3041 from the California Legislative Information (public record). DecisionDepot is for informational use only and is not legal advice — verify against the official source before relying on this text.