Cal. R. 5.487

As amended through July 24, 2024

Rule 5.487 - Petition to invalidate orders

(a) Who may petition

Any Indian child who is the subject of any action for foster-care placement, guardianship or conservatorship placement, custody placement under Family Code section 3041, declaration freeing a child from the custody and control of one or both parents, preadoptive placement, adoptive placement, or termination of parental rights; any parent or Indian custodian from whose custody such child was removed; and the Indian child's tribe may petition the court to invalidate the action on a showing that the action violated the Indian Child Welfare Act.

(Subd (a) was amended effective January 1, 2010.)

(b) Court of competent jurisdiction If the Indian child is a dependent child or ward of the juvenile court or the subject of a pending petition, the juvenile court is a court of competent jurisdiction with the authority to hear the request to invalidate the foster placement or termination of parental rights.

(c) Request to return custody of the Indian child

If a final decree of adoption is vacated or set aside, or if the adoptive parents voluntarily consent to the termination of their parental rights, a biological parent or prior Indian custodian may request a return of custody of the Indian child.

(1) The court must reinstate jurisdiction.

(2) In a juvenile case, the juvenile court must hold a new disposition hearing in accordance with 25 United States Code section 1901 et seq. where the court may consider all placement options as stated in Welfare and Institutions Code sections 361.31(b), (c), (d), and (h).

(3) The court may consider placement with a biological parent or prior Indian custodian if the biological parent or prior Indian custodian can show that placement with him or her is not detrimental to the child and that the placement is in the best interests of the child.

(4) The hearing on the request to return custody of an Indian child must be conducted in accordance with statutory requirements and the relevant sections of this rule.

Cal. R. Ct. 5.487

Rule 5.486 renumbered and amended effective 1/1/2020; amended effective 1/1/2013; adopted effective 1/1/2008.