Divorce (also called "dissolution of marriage"),

Legal Separation,

or Annulment

You can ask for child support orders once you file for a divorce, legal separation, or annulment. (You can also ask for spousal or partner support if you file for a divorce or legal separation. If you file for an annulment, check with an attorney to see if you can ask for spousal or partner support.)

You can get temporary orders for child support while you are waiting for the final judgment in your case.

Click here for help getting a divorce, legal separation, or annulment.

If you have been a victim of domestic violence, you can ask for child support when you ask for a domestic violence restraining order as long as the parentage of the other parent has already been established. Click here to learn about establishing parentage.

Note: You can also ask for spousal support or partner support as part of a domestic violence restraining order case.

Click here for help getting a domestic violence restraining order.

If you don't want to get a divorce, legal separation, or annulment, you can start a case called a Petition for Custody and Support of Minor Children.

This lets the court make child support orders and other orders.

Note: You can ask for spousal or partner support as part of this case.

Click here for forms and instructions for filing a Petition for Custody and Support of Minor Children.

If the local child support agency files a case, it will ask the court for a child support order.

Click here to learn more about your local child support agency.