TRO and Custody

[Worriedcousin]

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: California

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: California
Hi ! My cousin met a girl, married her too fast and they were pregnant within the first few months. Now, a year later, he realizes she is abusive, mentally unstable and violent.

She has been arrested for domestic violence against him and the police have been called out several times. I dont want to get into every little detail or this would be a novel, but my cousin is the kinda person who shuts down with confrontation and I dont want him to blow his trial that is coming up.

He has a TRO on his wife to protect himself and his son atm. She is textbook PPD.. phase 3 (psychosis stage). She doctor hops to medicate herself and spends her days sleeping. She throws things at him, including hot tea on him and the baby. She cuts herself and attempts suicide. He has asked her to please see a doctor about it, but she wont. She will only go in for some made up aches or pain and get meds.

Right now, the TRO is active, my cousin is working 5 days a week early morning to 6 in the evening. I am far from him, so he drops their son off on Sunday night and picks him up Friday as soon as he gets off work. His wife has no place to live and is staying with her mother, who has made it clear she has no room for her daughter, let alone her grandson, and that they will not be welcome there long term. My cousin misses his son. He is sad about him being away from his mom, but is is more afraid she will hurt, or even worse, kill the baby. She gets frustrated with him and makes comments like " take him before I kill him". Bottom line is she needs help. He doesnt want her issues to be overlooked at the trial and visitation granted with her NOT being seen by a doctor.

I will be moving out of the state soon and have asked if he would be willing to come as well so I can be there for him when he works. Without custody decided, he doesnt know where he will be in a month with his wife.

What does he need to do? How does he get full custody if she refuses to seek help? Can anyone advise a good lawyer that deals in this sort of thing? He just wants the best outcome for his sons safety.


PS. Now her mother just called my cousin ( wife cant call cuz of TRO ) and stated he had to come pick up her daughter because she is pregnant. The mother said she wont go get a test from the doctor, that a home test is enough proof. If the baby proves to be his ( if she really is even pregnant ) how does this factor into the equation?

[Mr. Knowitall]

The custody process is explained in considerable detail here.