Q: I just found out that the other parent filed for custody and court is in two days what should I do
What should I do because I was never served custody paperwork to respond
A:
In California, if you were not properly served with custody paperwork, you should act immediately to protect your rights. First, contact a family law attorney to get personalized legal advice. An attorney can help you understand your options and represent your interests in court.
Next, gather any evidence that you were not served properly, as California law requires proper service of custody papers for the proceedings to be valid. This could include statements from witnesses or documentation showing you were not at the location where the service allegedly occurred.
You should also prepare to attend the court hearing, even if you were not properly served. This shows the court that you are taking the matter seriously and are willing to participate in the process. At the hearing, explain to the judge that you were not served and present any evidence you have to support this claim.
The judge may then reschedule the hearing to ensure that you have enough time to prepare a response. It's important to use this time effectively to work with your attorney and develop a strong case for your custody rights.
Remember, in situations like these, time is of the essence. Acting quickly and with the guidance of a legal professional can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
