{"id":371870,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/how-do-i-get-child-support-in-california.html"},"modified":"2025-04-16T13:59:01","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T18:59:01","slug":"how-do-i-get-child-support-in-california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/how-do-i-get-child-support-in-california.html","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Get Child Support in California?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How Do I Get Child Support in California?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Under California law (CA Family Code \u00a7 3900 et seq.<\/a>), a parent’s primary responsibility is the care and support of their minor children. Parents have a mutual obligation<\/a> to support their children throughout their lives, according to each parent’s income and ability to pay. Child support payments should minimize income disparities between the parental homes to ensure an improved standard of living for the child.<\/p>\r\n

The California Department of Child Support Services<\/a> handles all child support cases. Whether a parent has an existing court order that needs enforcing or needs a new support order, all cases begin by opening a case with DCSS.<\/p>\r\n

If you have a child support issue, contact a family law attorney<\/a> immediately.<\/p>\r\n

Steps to California Child Support<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

DCSS is not a legal aid agency. Families going through divorce or separation should contact a family law attorney. DCSS will help parents and legal guardians find absent parents, get court orders for child support, and help with enforcement<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

1. Open a Case<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

If you have a support order already, DCSS begins trying to enforce the order. If not, DCSS can walk you through the next steps to get an order. To enroll with DCSS, visit the enrollment website<\/a>. The state office refers your case to a local child support agency.<\/p>\r\n

2. Find the Parents<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Both parents<\/a> must pay child support. California will not end parental rights to end support obligations. Even when courts terminate rights, parents still owe arrears on existing support. DCSS needs all available information on the parents, including birth date, Social Security number, phone number, and contact information.<\/p>\r\n

3. Summons and Complaint<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Once DCSS locates the absent parents, the agency will send a summons and complaint<\/a> on behalf of the requesting party. The responding party must reply within 30 days of receipt. The court needs the respondent’s financial information and personal circumstances to calculate the amount of child support due. The judge will use standard California child support guidelines<\/a> if the party does not respond.<\/p>\r\n

4. Establish Paternity<\/h3>\r\n

Establishing paternity<\/a> is a separate step only done when the responding party requests it in their answer. DCSS will perform a DNA test if requested. In California, a DNA test or proof of marriage at the time of the child’s birth is presumptive proof of parentage.<\/p>\r\n

5. Stipulated Agreement or Court Order<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

California courts use two methods of writing a child support order.<\/p>\r\n