INCARCERATED PARENTS MANUAL:
YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED BY

LEGAL SERVICES FOR PRISONERS WITH CHILDREN
&
PRISONER LEGAL SERVICES
Creator:

Ellen Barry

Copy Writing:

Christiane M. Hipps
Cassie M. Pierson

Contributions:

Susan Arding
Kerry K. Doyle
Chanda Gibson
Nicholas Gregaratos
Kristen Hoadley
Melissa Kanas
Ari Leichtman
Kristin Lynch
Ida McCray
Jill McInerney
Maureen McKee
Hali Papizan
Dominique Quevedo
Karen Shain
Virginia “Jenny” Weisz

Legal Services for Prisoners with Children and Prisoner Legal Services wish to
thank the parents in jail and prison who have contacted us and asked questions about the
law and what you can do to help your families. This manual has been revised and updated
for you.

Table of Contents

Page
Introduction

1

Arrest: What happens to my child?

2

Placement: Where will my child live?

4

Foster Care & Dependency: How can I keep my family together while I’m in
jail or prison?
6
Family Reunification: How do I get my child back?

11

Making a Record: What can I do while I’m in jail or prison?

14

Paternity: How do I show I’m the dad?

15

De facto parent: What is it?

16

Child Support: How can I pay when I don’t have any money?

17

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: What is it? Who qualifies?

21

Conclusion

22

Glossary: What do these legal words mean?

23

Samples: Forms and letters to use
Resources: Helpful groups to contact

Dedication
When staff members from Legal Services for Prisoners with Children first met Lydia Watkins1 it
was her birthday and she was imprisoned at Valley State Prison for Women in Chowchilla,
California. She had a court hearing that day to determine custody arrangements for her threeyear-old daughter Geneva whom Lydia had not seen in over a year. She thought we were there to
take her to court and was deeply disappointed when she found that was not true. (We were there
for a totally different reason that is not relevant to this story.) Geneva was being cared for by an
acquaintance of Lydia’s. This acquaintance refused to relinquish custody of Geneva so that
mother and daughter could be reunited at a community mother-infant facility. For the next yearand-a-half, Lydia fought for custody of her daughter. Her insistence on protecting her own rights
and those of her daughter’s paid off and Lydia and Geneva were eventually reunited.
We have met hundreds of women and men in prison who have been just as dedicated as
Lydia, who have truly fought for the “best interests of the child.” For your determination, for
your perseverance, but most of all for your love of your children, we dedicate this manual to all
of you.

Legal Services for Prisoners with
Children
1540 Market Street, Suite
San Francisco, CA 94102
415/255-7036, Ext. 310
Fax: 415/552-3150
info@prisonerswithchildren.org
www.prisonerswithchildren.org

1Lydia’s

Prisoner Legal Services
555 7th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415/558-2472
Fax: 415/558-2490

and Geneva’s names are fictional but their story is true.

Introduction
If you are a parent in prison or jail, you probably have many questions and concerns about your
children and about your legal rights as a parent. Your children may be with relatives or they may
be in foster care or a group home. If your children are in foster care, you may have questions
about your legal rights and the Juvenile Court proceedings involving your children. If your
children are with a divorced spouse or if a legal guardianship has been established, you may have
questions about how to reunify with your children once you are released from prison.
This booklet is designed to answer many of the legal and practical questions that
incarcerated parents have about custody of their children, both during and after the time they are
in prison or jail. It is not intended to replace your lawyer. If you have a lawyer, use her/him: ask
questions, give information, tell her/him what you want for your family.
The booklet is based on California law as of March 2007. Laws are different in other states, but
many of the suggestions may be useful. Be sure to check the relevant legal codes to make sure
that the information and forms are up to date.
A note about formatting: Any time you see a word or phrase typed in bold italics, the
legal definition of that word or phrase is in the glossary at the back of this booklet.

1

Arrest: What happens to my child?
The law does not require the arresting officers to let you make arrangements for your child at the
time of arrest. The arresting officer may let you make a phone call to make sure that your child is
with a responsible relative or close friend.
If you're unable to make a call, ask the first attorney assigned to you to get a court order
allowing you to make emergency phone calls to locate your child and arrange for her care. If you
do not have family who can care for your child, contact a trusted friend to care for your child or
help you talk with your child.

What if my child is with me?
If your child is with you when you’re arrested, the arresting or booking officer may allow you to
arrange care for your child before being booked. If so, call as soon as possible:
The child's other parent;
A responsible relative of the child; or,
A responsible friend—someone your child knows and trusts.

What if my child is not with me?
If your child is not with you, let the school, day care center, or other caregiver know:
That you will not be able to pick up your child; and
That your relative/friend/babysitter will be picking up the child; or,
Whom they can call to care for your child.

What if my child is not picked up?
If your child is not picked up by a relative or friend, s/he will likely be placed in an emergency
shelter through the county Child Protective Services (CPS) agency. (Welfare & Institutions
Code §§300(g) & 306)).

What if my child goes to CPS?
If your child is brought to CPS, act as quickly as possible:
Call a relative immediately; or,
Have your relative call CPS immediately; and,
Tell your relative to bring any proof that exists about their relationship (birth
certificate, signed letter from you, passport).

2

CPS will release your child to a parent, guardian or responsible relative who poses no risk or
danger to your child. (Welfare & Institutions Code §309(a)).
CPS will initiate an emergency assessment of relatives who come forward to care for the child.
This assessment includes a criminal background check, verification of their relationship to the
child, and a visit to the home to ensure that the environment is safe. CPS may also consider a
“nonrelative extended family member” as a caregiver. (Welfare & Institutions Code §309(d))
If CPS does not place your child with a relative within 48 hours, CPS must file papers in court to
make your child a dependent of the court.
BE PERSISTENT: ask your public defender, chaplain, community services or medical staff for
help.

How do I get to Juvenile Court?
NOTE: Jail Mail Moves Slowly. You cannot depend on receiving hearing notices in time to get
to court. Keep track of your child's hearing dates. Ask your lawyer and social worker to let you
know of any changes in court dates. If you have an attorney be sure to tell her/him that you want
to be present at the hearings so that s/he can ask the court to issue an order to have you
transported to the hearing. If you are not represented by an attorney you should write to the
judge and ask to be transported to the hearing. The court must sent a copy of the order to the
warden not less than 15 days from the date the prisoner is to be transported. (Cal. Penal Code
§2625)
Try to get a transport order:
1.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Call or write your lawyer or the judge.
Ask that the court issue an order to transport you to the hearing. (Cal. Penal Code §2625).
Ask for a stamped, filed copy of the judge's order to the warden or sheriff where you are
incarcerated and to the county sheriff where the Juvenile Court is located. (See Samples)
Ask your lawyer to meet with you at the local jail (where you will be held directly before
and after the hearing) to discuss your child's case.
Write to your child's social worker and ask to meet with her/him at the local jail.
Ask to visit with your child while there.
Keep a copy of every letter that you write. If you cannot get to a copy machine, write out
a second copy of the letter with the date and at the top write: “I did not have access to a
copy machine. This is an exact handwritten copy of my original letter.”

3

Placement: Where will my child live?
If CPS is involved, you have a right to a lawyer. Otherwise, you may have to get help from the
county Family Law Facilitator or other legal aid office. If you need help, see the Resource
Guide in the back of this manual to get started.

No Court Involvement
If CPS does not become involved, then you will be able to arrange care for your child with a
relative or friend without the court’s involvement.
Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit (See Forms) (Family Code §§ 6550 & 6552)
This is a two-page form signed by a qualified relative to ensure your child’s medical and
educational needs are met. It allows your relatives to enroll your child in school and consent to
school-related medical care on behalf of your child. It is good for one year and can be renewed.
Limitations:
This authorization is for temporary situations.
The caregiver is not automatically eligible for Aid to Families with Dependent
Children (AFDC) or other benefits.
It can be revoked at any time.
It does not give the caregiver legal custody of your child.
Power of Attorney (See Forms)
This form lets the caregiver make decisions about your child for you until you are released. A
Power of Attorney authorizes both relatives and friends to act as a caregiver to your child. An
immediate relative may receive AFDC or CalWORKS; distant relatives and friends cannot.
Limitations:
The form must be notarized.
Even notarized forms are not legally binding custody agreements.
The form is not a court order.

Court Involvement
Legal Guardianship
Legal Guardianship transfers legal rights of your child to another person indefinitely. It is a
legal custody court order. Legal guardianship orders may be voluntary (through Probate Court)
or through CPS placement (juvenile court). A legal guardian may be a relative, partner, friend or
foster parent. Once the court appoints a legal guardian, she has full legal responsibility for your
4

child including making education, health and medical decisions. A legal guardian can apply for
Kin-GAP, CalWORKS or other benefits for your child.
Limitation: Voluntary (Probate Court) Legal guardianships must be done and undone through
the courts without a right to a lawyer. A legal guardianship suspends a parent’s rights, but does
not terminate them. Circumstances may change a lot while you are unable to care for your child.
Once you are released from jail or prison, you will have to prove your fitness as a parent AND
that it is in your child’s best interest to terminate the guardianship and return the child to you.
If the guardianship was done through the juvenile court as part of a CPS case, then you may have
a lawyer appointed to represent you at a termination of guardianship hearing. You will have to
prove that you have housing, a job and are "rehabilitated" and that it is in the best interests of the
child to terminate the guardianship. (See Reunification section)
Foster Care
In some situations, it may be better to use the courts to get financial help and services through
CPS. Relatives who care for a child who is a dependent of the court can get financial help and
services through CPS. Parents have a right to counsel in Dependency Court. The Foster Care
and Dependency section of this manual describes your rights in detail.
If you or your child are of Native American heritage, you must tell the social worker
immediately. The procedures for handling Indian child custody cases are under the jurisdiction of
the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). ICWA covers any temporary placement and includes
placement in a foster home or in the home of a guardian. It also applies to court proceedings that
result in adoption or termination of parental rights. ICWA does not apply to disputes between
parents in a divorce action. (25 U.S.C. §1901 et seq.)

5

Foster Care and Dependency: How can I keep my family together
while I’m in jail or prison?
If you are unable to arrange placement for your child, then CPS will attempt to place her with the
other parent, or other relative. In the meantime, CPS may place your child in an emergency
shelter or foster care. If CPS cannot place your child with relatives or believes your child is at
risk of harm, CPS will file a Juvenile Dependency Petition.
Call or write CPS and let them know where you are and that you want a lawyer as soon as you
know there is a case regarding your child. Even though you are in jail, you can protect your child
and your rights.
Make sure you let CPS know the names of all relatives on both sides of the family (maternal and
paternal) who may be available to care for your child. If your child’s placement changes, this
will help ensure that s/he remains in family care.

Important Suggestions
Ask to be present at every court hearing.
Ask relatives and close friends who know your child to be present in court.
Talk to your lawyer: tell her what you want for your child and ask questions.
Give your lawyer all the information you can to support your child.
Talk to your child’s social worker: make sure s/he knows you care.
Go to whatever parenting, counseling, AA/NA meetings, or other classes are offered.
If a petition is filed, you have:
A right to be notified,
A right to be present, and,
A right to a lawyer at each of the following court hearings:
• Detention
• Jurisdiction
• Disposition
• Status Review
• Permanent Plan

Detention Hearing
A Juvenile Dependency Petition is filed if CPS believes that "there is a substantial risk that the
child will suffer serious physical harm or illness, by the inability of the parent or legal guardian
to provide regular care for the child." (Welfare & Institutions Code §300)

6

A Detention Hearing is scheduled within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) of CPS
making an emergency response to provide care and placement for your child. This hearing is to
decide whether the child is to continue to be detained in custody. (Rules of Court 5.670(e)).
At the Detention Hearing, the court will appoint lawyers for the parents, and sometimes for the
child. The court will order a CPS social worker to write a report about your family. Make sure
you talk to the Social Worker so that s/he can get to know you. The court will set a Jurisdiction
Hearing date for 15 court days later. (Rules of Court 5.670(f)). The court will also consider
whether visitation should occur between the child and others, including the child’s siblings.
(Rules of Court 5.670(g)).
At this hearing the parent, the child, and the guardian have the right to confront and crossexamine the people who prepared any police report, probation or social work report, or any other
document submitted to the court. You cannot be forced to testify against yourself. (Rules of
Court 5.674(d)(1)).
The court may rely solely on the written reports mentioned above. Those reports must
include:
1.
2.

A statement of reasons why the child was removed from the parent’s custody;
A description of the services that have been provided, and of any available services that
would prevent the need for the child to remain in custody;
3.
Identification of the need for the child to remain in custody; and
4.
Information about a non-custodial parent or any relative with whom the child might be
placed.
(Rules of Court 5.676(b))

The court may consider detention alternatives including placement with a relative or a
nonrelative extended family member. If a relative or nonrelative is to be considered, the court
will listen to the recommendations of the social worker who has made an emergency assessment
of the relative or nonrelative (including a criminal records check and any prior report of alleged
child abuse). (Rules of Court 5.678(e)).

Jurisdiction Hearing
At the Jurisdiction Hearing, the Juvenile Court reads the dependency petition and the social
worker’s report and decides whether or not to make your child a dependent of the court. Your
child will become a dependent of the court if the judge finds that the allegations in the petition
are true (“sustains the petition”), and that these allegations show that your child is at a risk of
harm.
You have the right to disagree with the statements and:
1.
2.

Present your own evidence;
Cross-examine witnesses;
7

3.
4.

Bring witnesses to court; and
Remain silent.
(Rules of Court 5.682(b))

If the judge finds the allegations to be true, the court takes legal custody of your child and
decides where s/he should live and with whom—also known as disposition.

Disposition Hearing
The court decides where your child will live and what services CPS needs to provide to you and
your child and what you need to do to reunify with her if s/he is not with you at a Disposition
Hearing. At this hearing, CPS recommends a case plan for you and your child.
You have the right:
1.

To review the CPS plan for you and your family, and for your lawyer to object to
any false claims or unproven statements in the report. (Rules of Court §5.690(2))

2.

To ask that your child be placed either in your home county, in the county where
you are incarcerated, or in the county where your child’s other parent or guardian
lives. (Welfare and Institutions Code §§361.2(1) and (f)(1)(2));

3.

To stay in touch with your child unless the court has specifically found otherwise.
You can request that the court specifically order:
Collect phone calls between you and your child on a regular basis
Visits with your child
A plan to transport your child for visits
Counseling for you
Counseling for your child
Other services for you or your child
Services for extended family or Family Preservation Services
(Welfare and Institutions Code §361.5(e)(1)).

4.

To say what you want about where your child should live.

5.

To Family Reunification Services, unless your child is placed with her other
parent, or you fall under one of the listed exceptions found on page 11 of the
Family Reunification section of this manual.

If your child is under the age of 3 years old when s/he was removed from your physical
custody, court-ordered services are limited to a period of six (6) months. (Welfare &
Institutions Code §361.5(a)(2))

8

If your child was 3 years old or older when s/he was removed from your physical
custody, court-ordered services are limited to a period of twelve (12) months. (Welfare &
Institutions Code §361.5(a)(1))
Court-ordered services may be extended up to a maximum of 18 months from the date
the child was removed from your physical custody, if it can be shown at the Status
Review Hearing that there is a substantial probability that the child will be returned to the
parent or guardian within the extended time period or you can show that reasonable
services were not provided to the parent or guardian. (Welfare & Institutions Code
§361.5(a)(3)).
NOTE: It is important to object to and refute any false allegations or unproven statements that
are in the report because the information in the report is used as a basis to require a reunification
plan.

Status Review Hearing(s) (Six/Twelve/Eighteen Month Review)
The court must review your child's case every six months. At this hearing, the social worker will
write a progress report and make recommendations. The first review hearing is the most
important because the court really looks at what you and your family has done to deal with the
situation that brought you before the court. You have a right to have a copy of the report at least
10 days before the hearing. READ the report. Tell your lawyer if you do not agree with the
report.
The court may:
Order 6 more months of services
Order family reunification services terminated and set a Permanent Plan Hearing
Continue the case
The court will look at your progress to reunify with your child. The court considers how hard
you have worked at meeting the reunification requirements in your case plan for past six months.
The court is more likely to return your child if you do ALL of the following during this six
month period:
Follow the case plan (reunification requirements)
Visit your child as often as possible
Live in a safe place
Get a job that you can support your family on
Follow all probation or parole rules
(Welfare & Institutions Code §366.21(e), Rules of Court 5.710(c)(2))
If the court does not return your child to you at this time, you have the right to a trial and a right
to appeal that decision.
9

Permanent Plan Hearing (Welfare & Institutions Code §366.26)
If you have not reunified with your child or were not offered Family Reunification, the court will
set a Permanent Plan Hearing (also called a “26 Hearing"). At this hearing, the court will read the
social worker's recommendations for a long-term plan for your child, so that she will have a
permanent, stable place to live. This hearing usually takes place between 12 and 18 months after
your child was detained. If no Family Reunification services have been offered, this hearing may
take place much earlier.
The court will consider three permanent plans in order of legal preference:
1.

Adoption: Ending your rights as a parent and beginning the adoption process.
This may happen if a child has been in foster care for over 12 months and
reunification efforts have failed. If your parental rights are terminated, you no
longer have any right to care for or even visit your child in the future.

2.

Legal Guardianship with a relative, friend or stranger.

3.

Long-Term Foster Care.

Post-Permanent Plan Hearings
These hearings are held every six months if your child is in long-term foster care. You have a
legal right to attend this hearing unless your parental rights have been terminated. If you are
unable to get to court, try to send a relative in your place. (Welfare & Institutions Code
§366.3(d))

10

Family Reunification: How do I get my child back?
You must prove to the court that you are a good parent. In the eyes of the court, this means that
you have completed your reunification requirements and your child is not at risk of harm. Keep
in regular contact with your child and do everything possible to meet these requirements.
Take advantage of any classes, groups or programs that your jail or prison offers, such as
anger management, N.A., A.A., parenting, creative arts, GED, etc. The court may order
reunification for up to 18 months. However, these court-ordered services can be limited to six
months if your child was under the age of three years old when s/he entered foster care.
Reunification Services help you to remain in contact with your child through:
Collect phone calls
Transportation services
Visitation services.

When Reunification Services Will Not be Offered
The court can decide not to offer these services in any of the following situations:
The court cannot find you or doesn't know where you are.
The court finds that you have a mental disability that prevents you from taking care of
your child (2 psychiatric evaluations are necessary here).
The court has already taken a child away from you due to physical or sexual abuse,
returned the child to you and the child or her sibling is again being removed for physical
or sexual abuse.
The court has found that you caused the death of a child through abuse or neglect.
The child is under the age of five and has suffered severe physical abuse by you or
someone you know.
The court finds that you have severely abused a child, and decides that your child would
not benefit from reunification services with you.
The court finds that you willfully abandoned your child and that the abandonment placed
the child in serious danger.
The court terminated reunification services on another child.
You have a history of drug or alcohol abuse and have resisted treatment.
11

You have lost custody and your parental rights of another child and you have not dealt to
the court’s satisfaction with the reasons you lost custody of that child.
You have told the court that you do not want reunification services and that you do not
want custody of your child.
The court finds that you have taken a child from a placement, and have refused to return
the child or tell the social worker where the child is.
You have been convicted of a violent felony as defined in Penal Code 667.5(c).

The court will not offer you reunification services if it finds your relationship with your child to
be detrimental. To find detriment, the court looks at:
Your child’s age
The strength of your relationship
Your sentence
Your crime
Treatment
Effect on your child if no services are offered
Your child’s wishes if s/he is older than 10
Any other factors parties want the court to consider.

Getting Your Child Back After You Are Released:
After you have been released from custody, the process that you follow to get your child back
will depend on how much the court was involved in the placement of your child.
Foster Care:
You have the right to a free, court-appointed lawyer. To help your lawyer work for you, you
should:
Write to your lawyer asking that s/he set up a review hearing after your release.
Ask your social worker to set up a revised visitation schedule to take effect as soon as
you are released.
Arrange to have a safe place to stay and get a job, education or training as soon as
possible after you are released.
Keep records of every contact with your child. (See Making a Record).
12

Meet with your lawyer to let her know about your progress during incarceration: show
her your records.
Legal Guardianship:
You must get the court’s permission to get your child back. To do this, you should ask the court
to terminate or rescind the legal guardianship. If you take your child without the permission
of the legal guardian or the court, you could be prosecuted for child stealing. Your
probation or parole could also be revoked.
If legal guardianship is done through CPS, you may have the right to a free lawyer. If not, you
should try to obtain legal assistance once you are released from jail or prison. Call the local Bar
Association to find out what free legal representation services are available in your county. You
can also call the Family Law Facilitator to do the process on your own, pro per.
Caregiver Affidavit:
You are still the legal caregiver of your child. Your child can live with you as soon as you are
released. However, you should revoke the caregiver affidavit and the Power of Attorney. You do
not have the right to a free lawyer. You should try to obtain legal assistance once you are
released from jail or prison. Call the local Bar Association to find out what free legal
representation services are available in your county.
Post-release review
If your child is not returned to you at the first court date after your release, do not give up! This
is an important time for you and your family. Your child will want you to keep trying.
Continue to follow your case plan, even if Family Reunification has been terminated.
Visit with your child as often as possible.
If you must miss a visit, call the social worker and foster parent both, at least 24 hours
before, or as soon as you know you can’t make it.
Go to whatever parenting, counseling or other classes the court orders. Do not miss
these appointments.
Work towards gradually increasing your visits with your child and making her feel comfortable
with you. Once the court sees that your supervised visits are going well, you may be able to take
your child for an afternoon, then an entire day, then an overnight visit, and then a weekend visit.

13

Making a Record: What can I do while I’m in jail or prison?
After you are released, you will have to prove to the judge that you can safely parent. Keep
records of all of your efforts to visit your child and follow and complete rehabilitation programs.
Write down the time and date of everything you do for you and your child. This means keeping
track every phone call and visit with your child, your child's caregiver, the social worker, or your
lawyer. By keeping track of these calls and visits, you can prove that you care about what
happens to your child. A judge is much more likely to believe that you called your child every
Sunday if you show her your written record than if you simply tell the judge that you made the
calls.

Steps to make a record:
1.

Get a notebook or special pad of paper and use it only for your child's case. Write down
the date and time of:
Each call you make to or about your child
Each visit you have with your child
Each call you make to your child's caregiver, and what the call was about
Each call you make to the social worker, and what the call was about
Each meeting you have with the social worker, and what the meeting was about
Each call you make to your lawyer
Each meeting you have with your lawyer

2.

Write letters to your child and save copies of those letters;

3.

If your child is too young to understand letters, draw pictures to her, and save copies of
the pictures, or write down the date sent;

4.

Ask to see your child’s report cards;

5.

Go to any available classes, meetings or programs that your detention facility offers
and write down the dates and time;

6.

Keep copies of certificates, or other proof, showing that you attended classes, groups or
meetings (whether the court ordered you to attend or not);

7.

Ask the teachers and counselors of any programs you complete to write a letter about
how you did.

14

Paternity: How do I show that I am the dad?
If you and the child’s mother are, or were, legally married, then it is “presumed” that you are the
father of the child as long as the child was born during the marriage or within 300 days after the
marriage ended due to death, divorce, or a judgment of separation. (Family Code §7611)
If you are not married to the child’s mother you can file a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity to
establish that you are the child’s father. Before she leaves the hospital, the child’s mother shall
be provided with a voluntary declaration. You both sign the form and a hospital staff person acts
as a witness to your signatures. The hospital then forwards the signed Declaration to Child
Support Services within 20 days of the date it was signed. (Family Code §7571)
As an alternative to signing the declaration while the mother is still in the hospital, both the
mother and father can sign the declaration and have it notarized anytime after the child’s birth.
(Both the mother and the father must sign at the same time in the presence of a Notary Public.)
After the form is signed and notarized, it is then sent to the Child Support Services. (Family
Code §7571).
The law provides that a Declaration of Paternity establishes paternity and has the same force and
effect as a judgment of paternity issued by a court. The voluntary declaration is recognized as a
basis for custody, visitation and child support. (Family Code §7573).
Either the mother or the father may rescind the declaration by filing a rescission form within 60
days of the date on the declaration, unless a court order for custody, visitation and/or child
support has already been entered into by one of the parties seeking the rescission. (This means
that you (the father) or the mother will not be allowed to rescind the declaration if the court has
already used the declaration to grant custody, visitation or child support to either of you).
(Family Code §7575).
If the declaration is signed by minors it does not establish paternity until 60 days after both
minor parents turn 18 years old or are emancipated, whichever comes first. The declaration can
be rescinded by either the mother or the father until 60 days after the minors turn 18 or are
emancipated. (Family Code §7577).

What if we’re not married or we can’t use the Declaration of Paternity?
If you and the child’s mother are not married and you can’t agree or are unable to use the
Declaration of Paternity, then you will have to file an action in court to establish that you are the
father. You may seek custody, visitation and/or child support orders as part of the same action.
You will have to file a Petition to Establish Parental Relationship and several other forms (it
depends upon whether you are trying to get visitation or custody or just establish paternity), pay
a filing fee (this can be waived), set a hearing date, have the child’s mother served with the
documents, and then get to court.
15

De facto Parent: What is it?
In some instances, a relative or a foster parent who has cared for a child, who is a dependent of
the court, can file a petition in the juvenile court asking the court to declare them de facto
parents. A de facto parent is one who has assumed the role of a parent on a day-to-day basis.
This means that the person has provided emotional support, taken care of the child’s physical
needs, and given the child affection for a substantial period of time just as the natural parent
would do. (Rules of Court 5.502(10)).
In order to be considered a de facto parent a person files an application for de facto parent status
with the juvenile court. On the application, the person tells the court how long s/he has been
caring for the child and about the relationship s/he has with the child. It is important to tell the
court all the ways you have cared for the child’s needs. For example, you made sure the child
went to school or day care, you spoke with the teacher about the child’s progress, you took the
child to the doctor for regular check-ups, you helped them with homework, you read stories to
them before bedtime, etc. In other words, the person caring for the child wants to show the court
all the ways s/he has been a “parent” to the child. A sample Application for De Facto Parent
Status is in the Forms section of this manual.

16

Child Support: How can I pay when don’t have any money?
What do I do if I am served Child Support papers while incarcerated?
If you are served with a Summons and Complaint from the Department of Child Support
Services (DCSS), you should file an “Answer” to the Complaint within 30 days from the date
you were served with the complaint. If you are not the father of the child, this is your only
chance to contest paternity. If you are the father, you will need to make the court aware that you
are incarcerated and have no source of income. Your Answer should be sent directly to the court
having jurisdiction in your case not to the DCSS.
The instructions and proper form for answering the complaint will be attached to the Summons
and Complaint. It is very important that you do not ignore these papers, because if you fail to file
the Answer (or make an appearance in court), the court can enter a default judgment against you.
If you need assistance you should contact/write to the Family Law Facilitator in the county in
which the complaint was filed. (See Resource list). You are entitled to a court-appointed attorney
only in cases where there is an issue of paternity or in a contempt proceeding.

What do I do if there is a default judgment against me?
If you think the support order was entered against you inappropriately, you may be able to have
the order “set aside”(disregarded). There are four ways to set aside a support order, depending on
the type of order and why you need it set aside. An order may be set aside for one of the
following reasons:
1.

The order was due to fraud, perjury, or lack of notice.
If you can show the order was based on fraud or perjury, you must bring an action to set
aside within six months after you learned of the fraud or perjury. If you want to set aside
based on lack of notice, the action must be brought within six months after you knew or
should have known of the order. (Family Code §§3690-91).

2.

Default judgment was entered against you based on presumed income.
If box number 3 on the Judgment Regarding Parental Obligations was checked, then the
court did not have information about your actual income or income history and presumed
you make enough money to meet your child(ren)’s minimum basic needs. There is an
easy way to set aside a default judgment based on presumed income. File a Notice of
Motion to Cancel Set-Aside Support Order Based on Presumed Income and Proposed
Answer with the court within 90 days after (1) child support is collected from you or (2)
you are served with notice of collection, whichever happens first.

3.

Default judgment was based on mistaken identity.

17

You must file a claim with the county DCSS along with supporting documents. They
must investigate and resolve your claim within 30 days. If they think your claim has
merit, they must immediately terminate enforcement proceedings and ask the court to set
aside the support order. If the DCSS rejects the claim or fails to follow the required steps
to terminate the order, you may file an action in the Superior Court to establish his or her
mistaken identity. (Family Code §§17433, 17530, 17800).
4.

The judgment was issued because of your mistake, inadvertence, surprise or
excusable neglect.
You may ask the court to set aside the default judgment for up to six months after it was
entered if it was issued because of your mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable
neglect. (Code of Civil Procedure §473(2)(b)).

What do I do if I know I have a current child support order?
One of the basic rules in child support cases is that the court cannot make retroactive
modifications. This means that your child support obligation continues while you are
incarcerated unless you request the court to change the order. While the court cannot legally
eliminate your past due child support, it can and will reduce your current payment to zero while
you are incarcerated. There are two different modification procedures available to you: (1) have
the county DCSS modify the order, or (2) do the motion for modification yourself.
1.

How do I have the county DCSS do the modification?
You should write to the county DCSS office directly and tell them that you are in
custody, how long you expect to be incarcerated, and that you need to have the order
modified. The DCSS must get a modification for you within 6 months if your case meets
certain requirements. The DCSS services are free to you.

2.

How do I file a request for modification on my own?
To request a modification you should contact the Family Law Facilitator in the county in
which you owe the child support (see Resource list). Write to the facilitator and ask for
the proper forms to fill out for a modification (see Note below). After you have the forms
filled out, make three (3) copies of everything. Send the originals and two copies to the
facilitator and ask her/him to please file the papers for you and send you a stamped copy
(be sure to enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope so the facilitator can return the
stamped copy to you). (See sample letters).

NOTE: it is very important to take the above steps as soon as possible because the court will only
reduce your payment to zero as of the date you file the request for modification. The forms you
will need are: Notice of Motion (FL-301), Application for Order and Supporting Declaration
(FL-310), Financial Statement (Simplified) (FL-155), Application for Waiver of Court Fees and
Costs (FW-001), and, Order on Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs (FW-003).
18

What do I do if my current order is zero but I have an arrearage (owe a past
due amount)?
As stated above, the court cannot make retroactive modifications. There are two programs within
the DCSS to help parents pay off arrearages (past due child support). One program is the
Compromise of Arrearages-Family Reunification Program that is for parents who owe past due
child support because aid was paid while child was in foster care or living with a legal guardian
or relative caregiver. You can apply for this program if your child is still a minor and now living
with you, and your net income is less than 250% of the federal poverty level.
The second program is called the Compromise of Arrears Program (COAP) and is available to
parents who owe arrearages of $5,000 or more. There are additional criteria to be eligible for
COAP.
You should contact the county DCSS for more information on both of these programs.

What do I do if I think my child support case has been handled improperly?
You have the right to file a complaint with the county DCSS office if you think your case has
been handled improperly. If your complaint is about customer service, the timeliness of the
service, payment and billing issues, or a decision to close a child support case, you should
contact the county DCSS office and request a Complaint form. Your complaint must be filed
within 90 days of the date that you knew, or should have known, about the subject of your
complaint.
The county DCSS office is required to respond to your complaint, in writing, within 30 days. If
the complaint cannot be resolved within 30 days, DCSS will mail you a notice that they are
extending the time for an additional 30 days. If they fail to respond to your complaint in writing,
you must request a State Hearing within 90 days from the date of your complaint to the county
DCSS office.
Some complaint decisions can be appealed by requesting a State Hearing. The only decisions
you can appeal are: denial of child support services, services that were not provided in a timely
manner or in the manner required by law, an incorrect or missing support payment, an incorrect
amount of past due support, and decisions to close a case.
If you need to request a State Hearing you should contact the county DCSS office and ask for a
State Hearing form. You must request this form within 90 days of the date of the decision of the
county DCSS on your complaint.
The county DCSS office cannot resolve any complaints on actions taken by the court such as the
amount of your child support order, custody, visitation or spousal support orders. Only the court
can resolve those matters. You should contact the Family Law Facilitator, an advocate or an
attorney for assistance.
19

When writing to the county DCSS office or the Family Law Facilitator, don’t forget to:
Include your mailing address (and phone, if applicable) on all letters.
Date and sign your letters.
Keep copies of all letters.
NOTE: Please be aware that failure to deal with your child support issues may cause you major
problems when you are released from jail or prison. If you fall behind in your payments at least
30 days, your driver’s license or state commercial or business license can be denied (new issue
or renewal). If you are more than four (4) months behind in payments, these licenses can be
revoked. Commercial/business licenses include licenses to practice law, medicine, construction
contracting, commercial truck driving, and auto repair. (Family Code §17520)
Whether you have a current order, owe an arrearage or owe nothing, it is important that
you contact the law facilitator or the county DCSS office upon your release to make sure that
you have no problems in the future.
Dealing with the county DCSS office can be a frustrating process. Make sure you keep
track of all your correspondence and follow through on everything (see How To Make a
Record). Giving up is no way to deal with child support issues; the problem will not go away.

20

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: What is it? Who qualifies?2
What is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status?
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is a way for a dependent of juvenile court to become a
permanent resident of the United States (i.e., get a “green card”). If the juvenile applies for this
status and is successful, s/he may remain in the U.S., work legally, qualify for in-state tuition at
college, and in five years apply for U.S. citizenship. However, if the application is denied, the
child might be deported.

Who qualifies for SIJS?
In order to qualify for SIJS, a juvenile court in the U.S. must have declared the child a court
dependent, or have legally committed the child to a state agency or department. The court must
have found the child “eligible for long-term foster care” (which in this context means that
parental reunification is not possible), and that it is not in the child’s best interest to be returned
to the home country. The child should have proceeded to long-term foster care, adoption, or
guardianship and the court must have made its findings based on the abuse, neglect or
abandonment of the child.

Who can complete the application?
The child, a caseworker, or an attorney can complete the application for SIJS, which will be
submitted to the Citizen and Immigration Service (CIS) bureau of the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS). The child must complete forms, obtain a special medical exam, and provide
fingerprints, a photograph, and proof of age. The application must include an order from a
dependency court that the child is eligible for long-term foster care due to abuse, neglect or
abandonment. There is a fee for the application process, but a fee waiver is available. The CIS
will grant the applicant employment authorization as soon as the application is filed, and
schedule a date for the SIJS interview. Generally, the CIS will decide the case at the time of the
SIJS interview.

NOTE: It is important to apply for SIJS as soon as possible while the child is a juvenile
court dependent because the process may take from 6 to 18 months after submitting the
application to get an SIJS interview. If the child is emancipated before the interview takes
place, the current policy is to deny the case.

2For

more information on this issue, consult an attorney who specializes in Immigration law or
an Immigration Resource Center.
21

Conclusion
We hope that this manual will aid you in answering some of your questions about what happens
to your children when you are incarcerated and what you can do to regain legal custody or
reunify when you are released. In many cases prisoners are not given access to information
regarding their legal rights as parents and struggle to do all that they can from inside. Our goals
for this manual are to help you make a workable plan for your child while you are incarcerated,
to keep you informed on current California family law, and to highlight your legal rights. The
forms in the back of the manual should give you a good start in beginning to fight for your rights
as a parent and we encourage you to get started as soon as possible.
We know that the process can be painful and discouraging at times, but always try to keep in
mind the end result of your struggles—reunifying with your family!! This manual can do no
more than answer your questions and guide you through the process, but you must have the
strength to endure and persevere in your efforts. As advocates, we wish you the very best and
support you in your fight.

22

Definitions: What do these legal words mean?
Adoption - permanent legal custody of another individual’s child; adoption takes place after the
parents’ rights have been terminated by the court or voluntarily relinquished by the parents.
Affidavit - a written declaration under oath or a statement of facts in writing signed by the party,
and sworn to or confirmed by declaration before an authorized magistrate.
Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) - division of the county/state/federal
government that presides over the welfare subsidies allocated to dependent children.
Allegation - a declaration or claim concerning the behavior or actions of an individual.
CalWORKS- California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Act; a division of state
government that provides for aid and medical assistance.
Caregiver - the person who takes care of a child when the parent is incarcerated.
Caregiver Authorization Affidavit - an affidavit that has the primary purpose of declaring that
an individual will receive a certain amount of authority for a child.
Case Plan - the court-approved plan written by the social worker; it describes your reunification
requirements including: visitation, classes, counseling or treatment you must follow before you
can get your child back.
Child Protective Services (CPS) - county office responsible for the welfare of children who
have allegedly experienced abuse and/or neglect from their primary caretakers. We have used
this term generally throughout the manual to mean Department of Social Services (DSS),
Department of Health Services (DHS), and Department of Family and Children Services
(DFCS).
Compromise of Arrearages-Family Reunification Program - a program through the
Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) for parents who owe past due child support
because aid was paid to a foster care family or a legal guardian or relative caregiver. If the child
is still a minor and is now living with his/her parent and the parent’s income is less than 250% of
the federal poverty level, the parent can apply for relief under this program.
Compromise of Arrears Program (COAP) - a program through the Department of Child
Support Services (DCSS) available to parents who owe $5,000 or more in past due child support.
There are additional criteria on who is eligible for this program.
Court Day - days when the judge is in the courtroom. This is usually Monday through Friday,
except holidays and weekends.
Court Order - a direction from the court on some matter.
23

Custody - the caregiver who has daily responsibility for a child either temporarily or
permanently (see legal custody and physical custody below).
Declaration of Paternity - a legal document that, when signed by both parents, says the man is
the natural father of the child; signing the Declaration is voluntary.
Default judgment - a judgment entered against a defendant when the defendant fails to respond
to a plaintiff’s action or fails to appear in court.
Dependency petition - a petition filed by the Juvenile Court claiming that the child should be
made a dependent of the court.
Dependent of the court - when the court finds that the child is at a risk of harm and a parent or
relative cannot make decisions for the child; instead, the court steps in to make these decisions
about what happens to the child.
Detained - what happens to a child who has been temporarily removed from parent(s) through
Child Protective Services.
Detention - removing a child temporarily from parent(s) through Child Protective Services
(CPS).
Detention Alternatives - a child detained in custody can be placed in any of the following:
emergency shelter, a suitable licensed home or facility, a place exempt from licensure designated
by the juvenile court, a certified family home, or in the assessed home of a relative or nonrelative
extended family member (Welfare & Institutions Code §319(f))
Disposition Hearing - the hearing held once the court sustains the dependency petition and your
child becomes a dependent of the court. At this hearing, the court will recommend a plan for
your child.
Distant relative - any relative who is not the child’s parent, sibling (brother or sister), aunt,
uncle, or grandparent.
Emergency Assessment - an evaluation by a social worker of a child’s relative. The social
worker will determine whether the relative’s home is a proper placement for the child. The
assessment includes: an in-home visit to assess the safety of the home and the relative’s ability to
care for the child, a criminal records check, and an investigation of any allegations of prior child
abuse or neglect by that relative or any adult living in the relative’s home.
Emergency Response - the actions taken by CPS immediately after they are told that a child is
without her parent to make sure that someone is caring for the child.
Emergency Shelter - the temporary housing where CPS places a child while they locate
relatives or arrange for a more permanent place for the child (and her siblings) to live.
24

Family Law Facilitator - a neutral office in the family courts which assists people through the
court process when they do not have lawyers.
Family Reunification Services - services provided to the child and his/her parent(s) when the
child is not living with you. It is designed to address the problems that led to dependency.
Foster parent - persons given temporary placement of a child from Child Protective Services.
Foster parents are sometimes De Facto Parents.
Foster Care - out-of-home care provided to children whose parents cannot care for them and
who need temporary or long-term substitute parenting; both the person (foster parent) and the
home are licensed by the state or county and are monitored by licensing workers and/or social
workers.
Hearing - a judicial investigation that assesses abilities of the child’s parents and determines the
future living arrangements of a child.
Immediate relative - any relative who is one’s parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, or grandparent.
Indian Child Welfare Act - federal law that tells how to handle an Indian child custody case.
Jurisdiction hearing - a hearing to determine whether your child should be made a dependent of
the court based on allegations in the Dependency Petition.
Juvenile court - a branch of the Superior Court that deals with children under the age of 18. The
Dependency court deals with abuse and neglect cases, usually because of the parent’s behavior.
Delinquency court deals with acts by a youth that would be criminal if the youth was an adult.
Kin-GAP - (Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments) means the aid provided on behalf of
children in kinship care. “Kinship guardian” means a relative who has been appointed the legal
guardian of a dependent child pursuant to §366.26 of Welfare & Institutions Code.
Legal Custody - the right to make decisions about a child’s well being including the child’s
health, education and welfare.
Legal guardianship - court-ordered custody that gives a caregiver legal custody of your child.
Long-term foster care - long-term custody arrangement where Child Protective Services
supervises the child’s care with the foster parents.
Minor - anyone under the age of 18.
Motion for Modification - (also known as a 388 Petition) is a paper you can file to ask the court
to look at changes in circumstances.
25

Non-custodial Parent - the parent who does not have physical custody of his or her child.
Notice - legal information about a hearing in your child’s case: when and where it will take
place.
Notarized - swearing that statements are true under oath, before an official “Notary.”
Parent - the lawful mother or father of a child. This may be by blood, marriage or adoption.
Parental rights - the legal rights of a parent to raise a child as s/he sees fit.
Permanent Plan Hearing - hearing to decide the best permanent situation for a child when a
parent cannot raise her/his child.
Petition - a written request for specific court action and a hearing on the request.
Physical custody - refers to where the child actually lives; the person the child lives with is the
one with physical custody.
Power of Attorney - a written agreement between the parent of child and the caregiver that
gives the caregiver responsibility and authority over certain matters concerning the child (e.g.,
medical needs, schooling, public assistance and Medi-Cal, legal matters, etc.)
Pro per/ pro se - appearing on your own behalf without an attorney to represent you.
Qualified relative - a family member who the court recognizes as able to take care of the child.
Removed - when the court takes the child from her parent’s custody.
Rescind/Rescission - to revoke or annul an agreement, law, or judgment.
Respite care - services that offer care (i.e. child care or temporary foster care) to relieve the
caregiver or parent of childcare responsibilities for a specific length of time.
Reunify/Reunification - the goal in dependency to bring the child and her parent or parents
together again.
Review Hearing - hearing held in order to review the previous decisions made by the court and
consequently, to decide whether to retain or to change these decisions.
Revoke - to cancel or repeal
Rules of court - the rules that tell California courts what is supposed to happen in court hearings.

26

Status review hearing - a hearing held every six months by the Juvenile Court in order to
review your child’s case and to order a CPS plan for your child.
Supervised Visits - visits between a parent and child where a social worker is present.
Sustain - when the court finds a petition true.
Terminate - when the court cuts off or ends a course of action. Most often used with services,
rights, or visits.
Welfare & Institutions Code - The group of laws dealing with dependency, delinquency, CPS,
and drug possession and use.

27

Samples: Forms & letters to use

I.

Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit

II.

De Facto parent application

III.

Power of attorney

IV.

Letter to attorney

V.

Letter to social worker

VI.

Letter to probation officer

VII.

Letter to judge

VIII.

Letter to Family Law Facilitator

IX.

Letter to court clerk

Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit
Use of this affidavit is authorized by Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 6550)
of Division 11 or the California Family Code.
Instructions: Completion of items 1-4 and the signing of the affidavit is sufficient to authorize
enrollment of a minor in school and authorize school-related medical care. Completion of items
5-8 is additionally required to authorize any other medical care. Print clearly.
The minor named below lives in my home and I am 18 years of age or older.
1.

Name of minor:________________________________________________________

2.

Minor's birth date:______________________________________________________

3.

My name (adult giving authorization):_______________________________________

4.

My home address:_______________________________________________________

5. [ ] I am a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or other qualified relative of the minor (see back of this
form for a definition of “qualified relative”).
6. Check one or both of the following boxes (for example, if one parent was advised and the
other cannot be located, you check both boxes).
[ ] I have advised the parent(s) or other person(s) having legal custody of the minor of my intent
to authorize medical care, and have received no objection.
[ ] I am unable to contact the parent(s) or other person(s) having legal custody of the minor at
this time, to notify them of my intended authorization.
7.
8.

My date of birth:__________________________
My California driver's license or identification number:_________________________
Warning: Do not sign this form if any of the statements are incorrect, or you
will be committing a crime punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is
true and correct.

Dated: ________________

Signed: ____________________________________

Notices
1.
This declaration does not affect the rights of the minor's parents or legal guardian
regarding the care, custody, and control of the minor, and does not mean that the
caregiver has legal custody of the minor.
2.

A person who relies on this affidavit has no obligation to make any further inquiry or
investigation.

Additional Information
TO CAREGIVERS
1.
"Qualified relative," for purposes of item 5, means a spouse, parent, stepparent, brother,
sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, first
cousin, or any person denoted by the prefix "grand" or great," or the spouse of any of the
persons specified in this definition, even after the marriage has been terminated by death
or dissolution.
2.

The law may require you, if you are not a relative or a currently licensed foster parent, to
obtain a foster home license in order to care for a minor. If you have any questions,
please contact your local department of social services.

3.

If the minor stops living with you, you are required to notify any school, health care
provider, or health care service plan to which you have given this affidavit. The affidavit
is invalid after the school, health care provider, or health care service plan receives notice
that the minor no longer lives with you.

4.

If you do not have the information requested in item 8 (California driver's license or I.
D.), provide another form of identification such as your social security number or MediCal number.

TO SCHOOL OFFICIALS
1.
Section 48204 of the Education Code provides that this affidavit constitutes a sufficient
basis for a determination of residency of the minor, without the requirement of a
guardianship or other custody order, unless the school district determines from actual
facts that the minor is not living with the caregiver.
2.

The school district may require additional reasonable evidence that the caregiver lives at
the address provided in item 4.

TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND HEALTH CARE SERVICE PLANS
1. A person who acts in good faith reliance upon a caregiver's authorization affidavit to
provide medical or dental care, without actual knowledge of facts contrary to those stated
on the affidavit, is not subject to criminal liability or to civil liability to any person, and is
subject to professional disciplinary action, for that reliance if the applicable portions of
the form are completed.
2. This affidavit does not confer dependency for health care coverage purposes.

POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, ______________________________, being of sound mind and body, declare the
following:
1. That I am the natural mother/father of______________________________________
who was born on ___________________________, ________.
2. That I am presently incarcerated at _________________________________________
located in _________________________________________________________.
3. That, during this time, my child, ___________________________________, is being
cared for by _________________________________________________.
4. That I wish to give full Power of Attorney to ________________________________
with respect to the care and custody of my child ______________________________________.
5. That, specifically, I give ______________________________________ full Power of
Attorney with respect to the care and custody of ______________________________________
in matters affecting his/her medical needs, schooling, public assistance, Medi-Cal, CalWORKS,
legal matters, and all other matters pertaining to the well-being of my child.
6. I understand that this Power of Attorney is not a legal custody order and that I am not
giving up my parental rights by signing this agreement.
7. This agreement will remain in effect until _____________________________ or until
revoked in writing.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the preceding statement is true and correct, and that I
signed this statement with full knowledge of its contents, this ____________________day of
____________________, 20____, in _____________________________, California.

_____________________________
Signature

Signed before me this ________day of _____________________, 20_____.
_____________________________
Notary Public

SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR ATTORNEY

(Your name)
(Your address)
(City, CA zip code)
(Date)
Ms./Mr. (Lawyer=s name)
(Address of the attorney)
Dear Ms./Mr. (Lawyer=s name):
I am writing to introduce myself and to let you know that I would like to attend the court
proceedings regarding the custody of my child. The hearing is scheduled for (date of hearing).
I understand that you have been appointed to represent me and help me retain custody of
my child, (name of your child). (Her/his) date of birth is (date of birth) and the case number is
(#). I intend to be reunited with (her/him) upon my release from (name of institution). If I am
not granted physical and/or legal custody of (child=s name), I would like (name of relative) who
is my (relationship) to be given custody.
I understand that I have a right to attend any hearings held under Welfare & Institutions
Code section 300 where my child may be made a dependent of the court or under section 366.26
where my parental rights may be terminated. I am requesting that you file a motion with the
court to have me transported from (name of facility) to the hearing.
I look forward to speaking with you about my case so that I will know how I can work to
reunite with my child(ren) and to prevent the court from terminating my parental rights.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

(Your signature)
(Print your name)

SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR SOCIAL WORKER
(Your name)
(Your address)
(City, CA zip code)
(Date)
Ms./Mr. (Name of social worker)
(Address of social worker)
Dear Ms./Mr. (Name)
My name is (your name) and my child=s name is (child=s name). (Her/his) date of birth
is (birth date here) and the case number is (#).
I am writing to let you know that I wish to regain custody of (child=s name) and hope to
be reunited with (her/him) upon my release from (name of institution) on (release date). I am
very concerned about the welfare of (child=s name) and I believe it is in the child=s best interest
to be reunited with me when I am released. (Add reasons why they should be with you).
I am serving a (length of sentence) sentence, which means that I will be away from my child for
(months/years). Please let me know what steps I must take to be reunited with my child when I
am released. It is important to me that I have visits with my child while I am away from
(him/her).
I have written to the court to ask that I be transported to the hearing scheduled for (date
of hearing). If I am not granted custody of my child, I would like my relative, (name of
relative), who is my (relationship), to be given custody.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

(Your signature)
(Your printed name)

SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR PROBATION OFFICER
(Your Name)
(Your address)
(City, CA zip code)
(Date)
Mr./Ms. (Name of probation officer)
(Street address)
(City, state, zip code)
Dear Mr./Ms. _____________
I am writing to introduce myself and to let you know that I wish to regain custody of my
child when I am released from (name of institution) on (date of release). I am very concerned
about the welfare of my child and I believe it is in the best interest of my child to be reunited
with me when I am released from prison. (Add your reasons as to why the child should be
returned to you).
During my incarceration, my child was in the care of (name of person), who is my (mother,
aunt, etc.).
Please let me know what steps I must take to be reunited with my child. My release date
is only (____days from now; _____months from now) and I want to have a plan and start
working on the plan before I am released.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

(Your signature)
(Your printed name)

SAMPLE LETTER TO THE JUDGE
(Remember to send a copy of this to the other parent and/or any other persons who are
parties to this action. If you fail to send copies to the other parties or their attorneys, the
court will consider this an ex parte communication and may not consider the information).

(Your name)
(Your address)
(City, CA zip code)
(Date)
Honorable (name of judge)
Superior Court of California
County of (________________)
(Address)
(City, CA Zip code)
Dear Judge (Name):
I am writing this letter to introduce myself and to request that the court issue an order
allowing me to attend court hearings concerning my child pursuant to Penal Code Section 2625.
The next hearing is scheduled for (date of hearing).
I would also like to request that the court appoint an attorney to represent me at these
hearings because I am an indigent and cannot afford an attorney.
My child=s name is (name of child), (her/his) date of birth is (child=s date of birth) and
the case number is (#). I am very concerned about the welfare of my child, and I believe that it is
in my child=s best interest to return to my custody. (Add your reasons here).
My release date is (date), and I want very much to be reunited with (name of child) upon
my release from (name of institution).
Please send a copy of the Order for Transport to the director at (name of institution) or
the sheriff for (county where the prison/jail is located) county and to the sheriff for (county
where juvenile court is located) county.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

(Your signature)
(Your printed name)

SAMPLE LETTER TO THE FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR
Date
Family Law Facilitator
Superior Court of California
County of ________________
(Address)
(City, CA Zip code)
Re:

(child support, custody, visitation, etc)
Case number (if you have one)

Dear Family Law Facilitator:
I am incarcerated and do not have an attorney to assist me. I would like your help with this
_______________ (child support, custody, visitation) matter. Please send me the forms I need to
respond to the court (or the information you need about the proceeding). I will also need your
help in filing the paperwork so please tell me what I need to do.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

(Your name)
(Your address)

Be sure to include a stamped, self-addressed envelope so that the facilitator can send you
what you’ve requested. Many of the family law facilitators can only provide information
and forms for child support-related matters. You may have to write to the “forms clerk”
to request forms for child custody, visitation, and other matters. See sample letter to the
court clerk that follows.

SAMPLE LETTER TO THE COURT CLERK
Date:
Clerk of the Court
Superior Court of California
County of ________________
(Address of court)
(City, state, zip code)
Re:

(Child support, child custody, visitation, dissolution of marriage, etc)
Case No. ___________________

Dear Clerk:
I am incarcerated and do not have an attorney to assist me with this paperwork. I am
asking for your assistance with these documents.
Enclosed please find:
1. One original and two (2) copies of the following:
LIST THE DOCUMENTS YOU ARE SENDING, USING ALL UPPER CASE
LETTERS [for example: PETITION TO ESTABLISH PARENTAL
RELATIONSHIP; RESPONSE; APPLICATION FOR FEE WAIVER]
2. A self-addressed, stamped envelope
Please file and stamp these documents for me and return one copy to me in the envelope
enclosed with this letter. I am also requesting that you provide me with a hearing date on this
matter at least six (6) weeks after the date of this letter [only include this if you are the
petitioner and there is no scheduled hearing in the case]
Thank you for your attention and assistance.
Sincerely,
Sign your name
(Print your name, include your prison/jail number)
(Name of prison/jail facility)
(Address)
(City, State, Zip code)
[Note: keep a copy of this letter until you receive a stamped copy of your paperwork back
from the clerk]

Resources: Helpful groups to contact
Family Law Facilitators in California
Current as of February 2007 (from www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/)
COUNTY
Alameda

ADDRESS

PHONE

1225 Fallon Street, Room 240
Oakland, CA 94612

510/208-4969

224 West Winton, Room 179
Hayward, CA 94544

510/670-5150

Alpine

1354 Johnson Blvd., Suite 2
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

530/573-3066

Amador

108 Court Street
Jackson, CA 95642

209/754-1443

Butte

1931 Arlin Rhine Drive
Oroville, CA 95965

530/532-7004

Calaveras

Government Center
891 Mountain Ranch Road
San Andreas, CA 95249

209/754-1443

Colusa

547 Market Street
Courthouse Annex
Colusa, CA 95932

530/458-0601

Contra Costa

751 Pine Street
Martinez, CA 94553

925/957-7887

Del Norte

625 “F” Street, Suite B
Crescent City, CA 95531

707/465-3894

El Dorado

495 Main Street
Placerville, CA 95667

530/621-6433

1354 Johnson Blvd., Suite 2
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

530/573-3066

255 N. Fulton Street, Suite 106
Fresno, CA 93701

559/497-6500

Fresno

Glenn

526 W. Sycamore Street
Willows, CA 95988

530/934-6380

Humboldt

825 5th Street
Eureka, CA 95501

707/269-1210

Imperial

939 Main Street
El Centro, CA 92243

760/482-4739

Inyo

699 W. Line Street
Bishop, CA 93514

760/872-4146

Kern

1215 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301

661/868-4815

132 E. Coso Street, Room A
Ridgecrest, CA 93555

661/868-4815

1775 Highway 58
Mojave, CA 93501

661/868-4815

1122 Jefferson Street
Delano, CA 93215

661/868-4815

325 Central Valley Highway
Shafter, CA 93263

661/868-4815

12022 Calle Main
Lamont, CA 93241

661/868-4815

Kings

1426 South Drive
Hanford, CA 93230

559/582-1010, ext 3093

Lake

485 N. Main Street
Lakeport, CA 95453

707/263-9024

Lassen

145 S. Lassen Street
Susanville, CA 96130

530/251-8353

Los Angeles

111 N. Hill Street, Room 428-F
Los Angeles, CA 90012

213/974-5004

600 S. Commonwealth Avenue
Room 1617
Los Angeles, CA 90005

213/637-8470

12720 Norwalk Blvd., Room 202
Norwalk, CA 90650

562/807-7300

300 E. Olive Street, Room 100
Burbank, CA 91502

818/557-3583

200 W. Compton Blvd., Rm 1001
Compton, CA 90220

310/603-3218

42011 Fourth Street West, Rm 3575
Lancaster, CA 93534

661/974-7348

415 West Ocean Blvd., Room 43B
Long Beach, CA 90802

562/491-6432

300 E. Walnut Street, Room 100B
Pasadena, CA 91101

626/356-5030

400 Civic Center Plaza, Room 114
Pomona, CA 91766

909/620-3150

900 Third Avenue, Outside Dept. J
Torrance, CA 90503

310/222-1714

6230 Sylmar Avenue, Room 212A
Van Nuys, CA 91401

818/374-7108

Madera

117 South Lake Street
Madera, CA 93638

559/674-5600

Marin

3501 Civic Center Drive, Rm C-27
San Rafael, CA 94903

415/473-3062

Mariposa

5092 Jones Street, PO Box 839
Mariposa, CA 95338

209/966-5320

5081 Buillion Street
Mariposa, CA 95338

209/966-3007

Mendocino

100 N. State Street, Room 212
Ukiah, CA 95482

707/463-5666

Merced

1901 “G” Street
Merced, CA 95340

209/725-4165

Modoc

201 S. Court Street, #28

530/233-2008

Alturas, CA 96101
Mono

452 Old Mammoth Road
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

760/924-3740

Monterey

1200 Aguijito Road
Monterey, CA 93940

831/647-5800

Napa

825 Brown Street
Napa, CA 94559

707/299-1137

Nevada/Sierra

201 Church Street, Suite 10
Nevada City, CA 95959

530/470-2567

Orange

341 The City Drive
Orange, CA 92863

714/935-6568

Placer

11545 “B” Avenue
Auburn, CA 95603

530/889-7465

Plumas

89 Court Street
Quincy, CA 95971

530/283-4792

Riverside

880 N. State Street
Hemet, CA 95243

909/600-6443

4175 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501

909/955-1583

46--200 Oasis Street
Indio, CA 92201

760/863-7880

Sacramento

3341 Power Inn Road, Room 113
Sacramento, CA 95826

916/875-3400

San Benito

440 Fifth Street
Hollister, CA 95023

831/636-4079

San Bernardino

351 N. Arrowhead Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92415

909/387-3060

14455 Civic Drive
(Tuesday, Thursdays, Fridays)
Victorville, CA 92392

760/243-8757

8303 N. Haven Ave., Basement Level

909/948-4679

(Mondays and Wednesdays)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

San Diego

6527 White Feather Road
Joshua Tree, CA 92252

760/366-4100

Main: 220 W. Broadway, Rm 4001
San Diego, CA 92101

619/531-3234

Family Court
1555 Sixth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101

619/531-3234

East County: 250 E. Main Street
El Cajon, CA 92020

619/531-3234

North County: 325 S. Melrose Drive
Vista, CA 92083

760/940-4952

South County: 500 Third Ave., Rm 390 619/531-3234
Chula Vista, CA 91910
San Francisco

400 McAllister Street, Room 402
San Francisco, CA 94102

415/551-3991

San Joaquin

222 E. Weber, Room 361
Stockton, CA 95202

209/468-8280

San Luis Obispo

1120 Mill Street, Suite A
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

805/788-3418

San Mateo

400 County Center, 2nd Floor
Redwood City, CA 94063

650/363-4590

Santa Barbara

1100 Anacapa St, 1st Fl
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

805-568-3133

201 S. Miller, Suite 208
Santa Maria, CA 93454

805/346-1476

Santa Clara

99 Notre Dame Avenue
San Jose, CA 95113

408/882-2900

Santa Cruz

701 Ocean Street, Room 110
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

831/454-2422

1430 Freedom Blvd.
Watsonville, CA 95060
(Thursdays only)

831/454-2422

Shasta

1500 Court Street, Room 115
Redding, CA 96001

530/245-6900

Sierra/Nevada

201 Church Street, Suite 10
Nevada City, CA 95959

530/470-2567

Siskiyou

500 N. Main Street
Yreka, CA 96097

530/842-0157

Solano

600 Union Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533

707/207-7348

Sonoma

600 Administration Drive
Room 233-J
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

707/565-2841

Stanislaus

800 11th Street, Room 220
Modesto, CA 95353

209/525-6304

Sutter

430 Center Street
Yuba City, CA 95991

530/822-8330

Tehama

756 Rio Street
Red Bluff, CA 96080

530/529-1263

Trinity

101 Court Street
Weaverville, CA 96093

530/623-1208 or
530/623-1369

Tulare

1612 W. Mineral King, Room C
Visalia, CA 93291

559/737-4422

Tuolumne

41 W. Yaney Avenue
Sonora, CA 95370

209/533-5697

Ventura

800 S. Victoria Avenue, Rm 30
Ventura, CA 93009

805/662-6661

Yolo

725 Court Street
Woodland, CA 95695

530/406-6794

Yuba

120 Fifth Street
Marysville, CA 95901

530/749-7685

California Statewide Prisoner Resources
Friends Outside administers a network of prison visitor hospitality centers at all California State
prisons. The centers offer respite from travel, transportation from the nearest public transit to the
prison, crisis intervention, information and referral, emergency clothing, and snacks.
Friends Outside Agency Contact Information:
Main Office: PO Box 4085, Stockton, CA 95204
(Phone): 209/955-0701
(Fax): 209/955-0735
(Email): info@friendsoutside.org
Executive Director: Gretchen Newby; Email: gnewby@friendsoutside.org
Visitor Centers Programs
Program Administrator: Maria Rocero
(Phone): 209/955-0701
(Email): mrocero@friendsoutside.org

Friends Outside also has a Case Manager Specialist at each of the prisons to assist prisoners.
The Case Manager Specialists may conduct parenting classes and other classes or groups and
may be able to assist the prisoner with his/her pre-release plans.
Avenal State Prison (ASP)
CA Correctional Institution (CCI)
Calipatria State Prison (CAL)
CA Correctional Center (CCC)
Central CA Women’s Facility (CCWF)
Centinela State Prison (CEN)
CA Institution for Men (CIM)
CA Medical Facility (CMF)
CA Institution for Women (CIW)
CA State Prison Corcoran (COR)
CA Men’s Colony (CMC)
CA Rehabilitation Center (CRC)
Correctional Training Facility (CTF)
Folsom State Prison (FSP)
CA State Prison-Represa (SAC)
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (CVSP)
High Desert State Prison (HDSP)
Deuel Vocational Institution (DVI)
Ironwood State Prison (ISP)
CA State Prison-Los Angeles (LAC)
North Kern State Prison (NKSP)
Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP)

559/386-0587, ext. 6825
661/822-4402, ext. 4383
760/348-7000, ext. 5720
530/257-2181, ext. 4587
559/665-5950
760/337-9594
909/597-1821, ext. 4389
707/448-6841, ext. 2829
909/597-1771, ext. 7005
559/992-8800, ext. 7719
805/547-7900, ext. 7589
951/737-2683, ext. 3385
831/675-3328
916/985-2561, ext. 4689
916/985-8610, ext. 7779
760/922-5300, ext. 6354
530/251-5100, ext. 5710
209/835-4141, ext. 5640
760/921-3000, ext. 5813
661/729-2000, ext. 7590
661/721-2345, ext. 6332
661/721-6300, ext. 6816

Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP)
Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP)
Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP)
Richard J. Donovan Corr. Facility (RJD)
San Quentin State Prison (SQSP)
CA State Prison Solano (SOL)
CA Substance Abuse Treatment Fac. (CSATF)
Wasco State Prison (WSP)
Sierra Conversation Center (SCC)
Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW)
Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP)

209/274-4911, ext. 5983
707/465-1000, ext. 5435
559/935-4900, ext. 6576
619/661-6500, ext. 5666
415/456-6702
707/451-0182, ext. 5472
559/992-9092
661/758-8400, ext. 5674
209/984-5291, ext. 5591
559/665-6100, ext. 5365
831/678-5500, ext. 5718