Los Angeles Emergency Custody Lawyers
Expert Legal Help When Minutes Matter
Your heart is racing. Your mind is reeling. Something happened that puts your child in immediate danger, and you can’t wait weeks for a regular court hearing.
When your child’s safety hangs in the balance, you need someone who moves as fast as you think, who knows exactly what evidence courts require, and who can get in front of a judge fast.
At Provinziano & Associates, we’ve successfully handled hundreds of emergency custody matters across Los Angeles County and beyond, including cases involving immediate threats of harm, dangerous conditions that have suddenly emerged, abduction risks, chronic neglect, medical emergencies, and false emergency filings.
Thanks to Provinziano’s coaching for my Parenting Plan Assessment (PPA), I was granted joint physical and legal custody of my son. His experience and dedication gave me the outcome I hoped for, and someone I could trust every step of the way.
Los Angeles Emergency Custody Attorneys
Our attorneys know how the courts in LA County work. We understand which judges hear ex parte matters, when filings must be made, and how to build a compelling, urgent case that gets the court’s attention.
Whether your situation is highly sensitive, complex, or fast-moving, our emergency and ex parte custody lawyers are prepared to move decisively and strategically to protect your child.
What Qualifies as an Emergency Custody Situation in California?
California courts only grant emergency custody orders when there’s “immediate harm to the child or immediate risk that the child will be removed from California.
Judges look for concrete evidence that demonstrates credible threats of physical violence, exposure to domestic abuse, dangerous substance use around children, credible abduction plans, severe neglect of basic needs, or recent criminal activity that directly endangers your child.
How Our Emergency Custody Lawyers Help You
When your child’s safety is at risk, you need fast, informed action and someone you can trust to handle it with care. Our team understands how overwhelming these situations can be, especially when you’re afraid and unsure what to do next.
Our team helps you understand what the court needs to see: specific, well-documented evidence that clearly shows your child is in immediate danger.
We’ll guide you through every step, from assessing your situation and identifying legal options to gathering evidence, coordinating with law enforcement when needed, and preparing urgent filings that get in front of the right judge.
Here’s How We Help in Emergency Custody Situations:
Ex Parte Emergency Custody Orders in Los Angeles County
Time is running out while your child remains in immediate harm or immediate risk of removal from California.
Our attorneys help clients seek emergency ex parte custody or visitation orders when a child’s safety is at risk. These temporary orders, when granted, can quickly adjust living arrangements and decision-making authority until the court holds a full hearing.
Child Abduction Prevention Orders in California
Plane tickets, passport applications, secret conversations about “taking a trip” or not coming back. The signs are all there.
When evidence shows imminent flight risk, our ex parte custody attorneys act to secure child abduction prevention orders from California that can surrender passports, require posting of bonds, and create legal barriers that lower the risk of the other parent fleeing with your child.
Restraining Orders with Custody Provisions
Sometimes, just a restraining order isn’t enough; custody protection becomes essential too.
In domestic violence cases, we help you pursue comprehensive emergency restraining orders with custody and visitation provisions that not only protect you from harm, but also immediately restrict the dangerous parent’s access to your child and change temporary custody arrangements.
California Emergency Medical Decision-Making Authority
Urgent medical care is needed, but the other parent is missing, refusing treatment, or making dangerous decisions.
Our emergency custody attorneys help you seek medical decision orders that grant immediate authority to make life-saving medical choices for your child.
Supervised Visitation Orders
The child deserves some relationship with the other parent, but supervision is non-negotiable.
We help parents request emergency supervised visitation orders that allow the parent-child connection to continue while ensuring a court-approved third party is always present for protection.
Defending Against False Emergency Orders
An emergency custody order has been filed against you based on misleading or false information.
Our attorneys immediately analyze the allegations, gather counter-evidence, and prepare a comprehensive defense strategy for the upcoming hearing, where you can present your side of the story and protect your parental rights.
The Provinziano & Associates Difference
Rapid Response When Your Child's Safety Is at Stake
When your child’s safety is at risk, whether due to threats of harm, sudden abduction concerns, medical neglect, or unsafe living conditions, we prioritize your case with urgency. Our team moves as quickly as possible and makes emergency matters our highest priority. If your child’s safety is at risk, schedule your case evaluation with us now.
We Treat Your Personal Life With the Discretion It Deserves
While some court records are public by law, we take every possible measure to keep your case as private as the process allows. From how we communicate to how and where we file, to who sees what, we implement confidentiality strategies that ensure only the people who need to know do.
We Help You Anticipate
Emergency orders are just the first step. We help you anticipate what comes next—from the follow-up hearing within 20 days to long-term custody arrangements that protect your child's ongoing safety. This includes preparing for potential challenges to emergency orders and building a sustainable protection plan.
We Don’t Just Hear You, We Speak Your Language
At Provinziano & Associates, we believe no one and nothing should be lost in translation. While we primarily speak English, we also support clients in other languages and have many team members who speak a second language. If language is a concern, reach out to ask if we can support your native language.
First Class Litigation
Some cases reach an agreement, others don’t. When your outcome depends on going to trial, our Los Angeles emergency custody attorneys bring the kind of courtroom skill and strategic focus that only comes from years of litigation experience.
In-State, Out-of-State, and International Emergency Response
We represent parents in emergency custody cases that involve California jurisdiction — whether the threat comes from within the state, across state lines, or internationally. If your child lives in California, was taken from California, or is at risk of being removed from California, we can help. As a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), Alphonse Provinziano brings specialized knowledge to emergency custody cases involving threats of abduction to Mexico, other U.S. states, or overseas, including enforcement of Hague Convention protections and coordination with law enforcement, federal agencies, and international courts to protect your child and secure their return.
What Our Clients Say
Are You Ready for a Private, No-Cost Case Evaluation?
With a deep understanding of California family law and over 75 years of combined experience, we’ve helped clients resolve everything from high-conflict custody cases to complex, high-asset divorces.
Here’s How Our Emergency Custody Law Firm Works With You
Schedule a Private Case Evaluation
After you hire us: Rapid evidence gathering and emergency filing
From emergency hearings to follow-up protection, we fight for your child's safety
Contact Our Emergency Custody Lawyers Today
Areas We Serve in Los Angeles County
- Beverly Hills,
- Pasadena,
- Santa Monica,
- Torrance,
- Van Nuys,
- and nearby communities.
Whether you’re in the middle of a custody dispute or facing a sudden emergency, our team is here to advocate for your child and your parental rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Emergency Custody in California
How long does it take to get emergency custody?
What happens after emergency custody is granted?
Emergency orders take effect as soon as the judge signs them and must be served on the other parent promptly with a notice of the next hearing. The court then holds a follow‑up hearing as soon as possible where both parents can present evidence, and the judge decides whether to continue, change, or end the temporary orders.
How long does emergency custody last?
Emergency custody orders are temporary and usually last only until the follow‑up hearing listed on the order. At that hearing, the judge can extend, modify, or end the orders based on the child’s best interests and the new evidence presented.
How long does emergency custody take?
What qualifies as emergency custody in California?
By law, emergency (ex parte) custody changes are only for situations showing immediate harm to a child or an immediate risk that the child will be taken out of California. “Immediate harm” commonly includes recent domestic violence, sexual abuse, or similar serious safety threats; courts look for recent, specific facts, dates, and documents to back up the claim.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 and ask officers about an Emergency Protective Order, then file for court orders right away so protection continues after the EPO expires.
Do you need a lawyer to file for emergency custody in California?
No. A lawyer isn’t legally required, but emergency custody cases are fast-moving, highly technical, and carry significant stakes. Not every family court department hears emergencies daily, and strict notice and filing rules can determine whether a judge reviews your request that same day. An experienced family law attorney can craft precise sworn statements, include the strongest supporting evidence, follow every procedural step, and ensure your request reaches the right courtroom so it’s heard as quickly as the law allows.
When It’s All on the Line, This Is Who Leads the Room
Alphonse Provinziano
Managing Partner & Senior Trial Attorney
With over 2,000 cases and more than 220 trials behind him, Alphonse Provinziano is one of California’s most trusted authorities in complex divorce, custody,
support, and property matters.
- A Former Prosecutor
- Certified Family Law Specialist
- Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
He brings extensive courtroom experience and strategic depth to every high-stakes family law case.
Respected by peers, sought after by clients, and featured in national media, Alphonse also teaches and presents to top family law attorneys across the U.S. and beyond.
Featured in: Bloomberg Law, People, Fortune, Insider, Fast Company, Newsweek, LA Times, The Mirror, and more.
Meet Alphonse Provinziano
Meet
Alphonse Provinziano
Managing Partner & Senior Trial Attorney
Featured in: Bloomberg Law, People, Fortune, Insider, Fast Company, Newsweek, LA Times, The Mirror, and more.
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