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You are here: Families & Children > Child, Spousal, & Partner Support > How to Get Your First Support Order
Click on a topic below:
Child Support
Spousal Support
Partner Support
Child Support
To set up a child support order:
- you,
- the other parent, or
- the local child support agency (formerly the district attorney)
must start a court case.
The kind of case you can start depends on whether or not you're married to or in a domestic partnership with the other parent.
Alert! When you get public assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF), the local child support agency will automatically start a child support case against the other parent.
You can file for child support if you are filing for divorce, legal separation, or for custody and support orders. But you have to get approval in writing from the local child support agency. They will collect your support for you.
Contact your local child support agency  or family law facilitator for more information. |
For more help, click on a link below:
Cases for Parents Who Are Married to or in a Domestic Partnership with Each Other
Cases for Parents Who Are Not Married or in a Domestic Partnership
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Spousal Support
To set up a spousal support order:
must start:
- a divorce case (called a "dissolution of marriage") or
- a legal separation case.
- a Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA) case
You can ask for a spousal support order once you file (start) your case. You can get temporary orders for spousal support while you are waiting for the final judgment in your case.
You can't ask for spousal support in a paternity case. If you or your spouse have filed for an annulment (called a "nullity of marriage"), you should talk with an attorney to find out if you can ask for spousal support in that case. Click here for help finding a lawyer.
| Note: Your county has a family law facilitator that can help you with child support, spousal support, and related health insurance issues for FREE. Click here for more information and to find a family law facilitator. |
Click here for help getting a divorce or a legal separation.
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Partner Support
To set up a partner support order:
- you or
- your domestic partner
must start:
- a divorce case (called a "dissolution of domestic partnership"),
- a legal separation case, or
- a Domestic Violence Prevenction Act (DVPA) case.
You can ask for a partner support order once you file (start) your case. You can get temporary orders for partner support while you are waiting for the final judgment in your case.
If you or your domestic partner have filed for an annulment (called a "nullity of partnership"), you should talk with an attorney to find out if you can ask for partner support in that case. Click here for help finding a lawyer.
| Note: Your county has a family law facilitator that can help you with child support, spousal support, partner support and related health insurance issues for FREE. Click here for more information and to find a family law facilitator. |
Click here for help getting a divorce or a legal separation.
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Last modified: 03/17/2008
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