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HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 2Art. 12§ 387 Child Custody Modification Orders

§ 387 Child Custody Modification Orders

Welfare and Institutions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 387 Child Custody Modification Orders

Key Takeaways

  • •If the court wants to move a child from their current home (like a parent or relative) to a foster home or institution, they must have a hearing first.
  • •A social worker must file a special request explaining why the current home isn’t safe or helpful for the child.
  • •The court must hold the hearing within 30 days after the request is filed.
  • •The child can only be taken away before the hearing if there’s a separate court hearing to decide that.

Example

A child is living with their aunt, but the social worker thinks the aunt isn’t taking care of them properly.

The social worker must file a request explaining why the aunt’s home isn’t safe. The court will then have a hearing within 30 days to decide if the child should move to a foster home.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 387 Child Custody Modification Orders

(a) An order changing or modifying a previous order by removing a child from the physical custody of a parent, guardian, relative, or friend and directing placement in a foster home, or commitment to a private or county institution, shall be made only after noticed hearing upon a supplemental petition. (b) The supplemental petition shall be filed by the social worker in the original matter and shall contain a concise statement of facts sufficient to support the conclusion that the previous disposition has not been effective in the rehabilitation or protection of the child or, in the case of a placement with a relative, sufficient to show that the placement is not appropriate in view of the criteria in Section 361.3. (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), dependency jurisdiction shall be resumed for a child as to whom dependency jurisdiction has been suspended pursuant to Section 366.5 if the jurisdiction established pursuant to Section 601 or 602 is terminated and if, after the issuance of a joint assessment pursuant to Section 366.5, the court determines that the court’s dependency jurisdiction should be resumed. (d) Upon the filing of the supplemental petition, the clerk of the juvenile court shall immediately set the same for hearing within 30 days, and the social worker shall cause notice thereof to be served upon the persons and in the manner prescribed by Sections 290.1 and 291, except that service under this subdivision may be delivered by electronic service pursuant to Section 212.5. (e) An order for the detention of the child pending adjudication of the petition may be made only after a hearing is conducted pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 305). (Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 319, Sec. 135. (AB 976) Effective January 1, 2018.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

detentionpetitionjurisdictionsafetyhearingcustodyportplacement

Related Statutes

  • § 340 Minor Protective Custody Warrants
  • § 636 Minor Detention Orders
  • § 658 Juvenile Court Notice Requirements
  • § 290.1 Juvenile Detention Notice Requirements
  • § 302 Juvenile Court Parental Rights

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 387.
View Official Source