Ray Ellis had abandoned his family in Washington D.C. to head for California seven years ago owing money to loan-sharks and unable to manage his marriage leaving his wife, his seven year boy Jordan and 2 year old daughter Angie. Out in California, an old friend of Ray's runs into him at the racetrack betting window letting him know that his wife, Olivia is remarrying and he has been declared legally dead prompting Ray to move back to Washington D.C. and take on the task of proving himself legally alive and proving to Olivia that he could be a great husband and father. However, he had to contend with his Mother N'Law Luzelle and his rivalry dimwitted Colonel Wallace Dickey.