|
You are here: Families & Children > Child, Spousal, & Partner Support > Introduction to Child, Spousal, & Partner Support
Click on a topic below:
Child Support
Spousal Support
Partner Support
Child Support
Child support is the amount of money that the court orders one parent to pay the other parent every month for the support of the child(ren). California has a formula (called a "guideline") for figuring out how much child support should be paid in all cases. Click here to learn more about how child support is calculated.
Child support payments are usually made until children turn 18, or 19 if they are still in high school full time, living at home, and can't support themselves. Parents may agree to support a child longer. The court may also order that both parents continue to support a disabled adult child that is not self-supporting. Click here to learn more about when child support ends.
You can ask the judge to make a child support order when you:
Parents who
- have signed a voluntary declaration of paternity, OR
- are married, or are registered domestic partners, and don't want to get legally separated or divorced can also ask for a child support order when they file a Petition for Custody and Support of Minor Children (form FL-260).
Click here to learn more about getting your first support order.
Either parent can later ask the judge to change the amount if the situation changes. Click here for forms and instructions to help you change a support order.
Parents can also ask the judge for help collecting (enforcing) a support order. Click here for forms and instructions to help you enforce a support order.
Every county has a family law facilitator will help you with:
- child, spousal, and partner support forms
- child support amount using the formula, if you have the necessary financial information
- court procedures for getting and changing child support orders
- how the court makes child support decisions.
The facilitator can also explain how you can collect child support or change a child support order. The facilitator's help is free of charge.
Click here to learn about and find the family law facilitator in your county.
Every county also has a local child support agency to help you get, change and collect child support at no charge.
Click here  to find the local child support agency in your county.
Click here to learn more about local child support agency. |
[ Top of Page ]
Spousal Support
When a couple separates or divorces, the court may order one spouse to pay the other a certain amount of support money each month. This is called "spousal support."
The judge will take many things into consideration when deciding what spousal support should be ordered. Examples of some things the judge may consider are:
- How long the couple has been married;
- The age and health of each spouse;
- How much income each can earn on their own;
- What the expenses of each spouse are;
- Whether there are minor children at home; and
- The history of the way the couple handled money during the marriage.
Click here to learn more about how spousal support is calculated.
Either spouse can later ask the judge to change the support amount if the situation changes. Click here for forms and instructions to help you change a support order.
A spouse can also ask the judge for help collecting (enforcing) a support order. Click here for forms and instructions to help you enforce a support order.
If the local child support agency is currently helping you collect (enforce) a child support order for a child living with you in the same home from your spouse or former spouse, the local child support agency can help you collect (enforce) the spousal support order along with the child support order.
Click here to find the local child support agency in your county.
Click here to learn more about local child support agency.
[ Top of Page ]
Partner Support
When domestic partners separate or divorce, the court may order one domestic partner to pay the other a certain amount of support money each month. This is called "partner support."
The judge will take many things into consideration when deciding what partner support should be ordered. Examples of some things the judge may consider are:
- The length of the domestic partnership;
- The age and health of each domestic partner;
- How much income each can earn on their own;
- What the expenses of each partner are;
- Whether there are minor children at home; and
- The history of the way the couple handled money during the domestic partnership.
Click here to learn more about how partner support is calculated.
Either domestic partner can later ask the judge to change the support amount if the situation changes. Click here for forms and instructions to help you change a support order.
A domestic partner can also ask the judge for help collecting (enforcing) a support order. Click here for forms and instructions to help you enforce a support order.
If the local child support agency is currently helping you collect (enforce) a child support order for a child living with you in the same home from your former domestic partner, the local child support agency can help you collect (enforce) the partner support order along with the child support order.
Click here to find the local child support agency in your county.
Click here to learn more about local child support agency.
[ Top of Page ]
<< back
Last modified: 01/05/2009
About Us | Web Site Feedback
Web Policies | Public Access to Records | Accessibility
|
