County of Ventura Child Support Serv. v. Dawson CA2/6

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Father and mother are the parents of five children ranging in ages from two to 12 years old. Following the birth of the first child in 2001, the Ventura County Department of Child Support Services (CSS) filed a complaint against father to establish parentage and child support.1 First, second, third, and fourth supplemental complaints were subsequently filed to establish parentage and support for each successive child following his or her birth. After the fourth supplemental complaint was filed on November 16, 2011, father filed an order to show cause (OSC) requesting modification of the existing custody and visitation order, and seeking to set aside an income withholding order.2 Father and mother stipulated to the matter being heard by a commissioner. Because father sought modification of the custody and visitation order, the matter was set for mediation as mandated by section 3170, subdivision (a). On February 9, 2012, the mediator issued a recommendation that mother be granted sole legal and physical custody of the children with supervised visitation for father. That same date, the court issued a temporary custody and visitation order in accordance…