Helping my cousin. Los Angeles. I'm assuming some of you on here have gone through this, could use some assistance.

He and baby mother didn't have a formal arrangement in the past. I do not believe she has ever formally filed for custody, but don't know if that's assigned automatically.

Mother just recently filed for child support. She didn't show at the hearing last month. My cousin was ordered to pay the minimum per his income.

Ok, I know there are tons of resources, but I want to ask people with experience, people on this sub, what the ordeal is like.

How should he proceed? Neither can afford a lawyer. Realistically my cousin can manage to have his son a few times a week or on weekends, but cannot provide a home for him outright. He works too much.

Should he file for full custody or something else? What are the options when filing? What's the process like, what should he expect when he interacts with people at the courthouses/facilities/offices?