CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW
...Death of a Spouse
......Effect on Custody Issues
5 Cards On This Topic:

If one parent is dead, the other parent is entitled to custody of the child.

Grandparents have visitation rights when related parent is deceased.

Death of custodial parent after dissolution final results in immediate transfer of custodial rights to other parent.

No modification of custody or visitation can be made in dissolution action after death of spouse.

Death of party terminates marriage, renders dissolution action final and nonmodifiable, thereby preventing custody litigation by other relatives.