Child Support
Many local laws and courts have been affected by COVID-19. Please use the search for legal help tool to find a legal aid organization or self help center near you for accurate information and more support.
Read about where to file your lawsuit or case. Information on jurisdiction and venue.
If you cannot afford the filing fee or other court costs, you may qualify to have these fees and costs waived by the court.
This section will give you general guidelines for how to best prepare yourself for court.
Whatever the reason, you have the right to represent yourself, to be your own lawyer in all cases in California.
Estimate the amount of child support that may be ordered.
Asking for, responding to, changing, paying a child support order, collecting a child support order, and court forms.
Apply online here instead of by mail, phone, or in-person.
Follow the instructions below to collect child support or alimony from any member of the military, military retiree, or civilian employee for these agencies: Department of Defense, Health and Human Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Broadcast Board of Governors, Department of Energy.
ADR is usually less formal, less expensive, and less time-consuming than a trial.
Paternity means fatherhood. Establishing paternity is the process of determining the legal father of a child
The comprehensive guide to your rights and options as a parent, including sample letters to send to the authorities. Topics covered - (1) arrest: what happens to my child? (2) placement: where will my child live? (3) foster care & dependency: how can i keep my family together while i'm in jail or prison? (4) family reunification: how do i get my child back when i get out? (5) making a record: what can i do while i'm in jail or prison? (6) paternity: how do i show i'm the dad? (7) de facto parent: what is it? (8) child support: how can i pay when i don't have any money? (9) special immigrant juvenile status: what is it? who qualifies?
Apply for child support online or check out additional resources for child support in Armenian, Chinese, Hmong, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Get assistance with child support services online or call 1-866-901-3212 toll-free (within the U.S.)
The state of California still handles most matters.