Even when parents or guardians live in different states, a child support case can be opened at the local child support agency. The local child support agency can work with the other state to establish or enforce the support order. Click here: PUB 251: When Parents Live in Different States

Unless the parent in jail has other assets, such as a house or a car, or other income, child support will be nearly impossible to collect. A noncustodial parent who goes to jail should contact the local child support agency to modify the child support order. Otherwise, past-due child support will continue to grow and the noncustodial parent will be responsible for paying past-due support when released, plus interest.

Cases involving self-employed parents can be the most challenging to the agency, and often take more time and effort than other cases. If a self-employed parent declines to make voluntary payments or allow automatic income withholding, it may be possible to place liens on payments to the business from regular clients or to collect money directly from the business bank account.

Yes. When there is a change in visitation or custody of the child, you can either go to court and ask for a change in the child support order, or you may ask the local child support agency to modify the court order. You may be able to reduce child support payments or begin receiving child support from the other parent. The amount of the child support order may be decreased if the other parent also must support children from another relationship.

Individuals can assist local child support agencies by providing any information they have about the noncustodial parent’s (NCPs) whereabouts, income, and assets such as homes, cars, etc. The court may find a NCP in contempt of court if that parent has the ability to pay but is willfully not paying the child support. This enforcement tool is used only when all others have failed.

No. TANF benefits are considered welfare for the benefit of minor children and DCSE cannot collect support monies from these welfare benefits.

Child support payments generally cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. This means that a parent who owes child support cannot escape the debt by filing for bankruptcy. Bankruptcies also cannot stay, or put on hold, actions to establish paternity or to establish or modify child support obligations. The relationship between child support and bankruptcy law is complex, however, and you may need the help of someone familiar with bankruptcy law to answer specific questions. Yes.

You have 30 days to respond (file an Answer) to the Summons and Complaint. The Answer document you file is included with the Summons and Complaint. Complete the Answer document and file it with the Superior Court clerk within 30 days. You may call the local child support agency or Family Law Facilitator.

Tell the local child support agency when you or the noncustodial parent moves--no matter where. They can transfer your child support case to the county or state where you move if you are a custodial party. Also tell the local child support agency where the noncustodial parent moves. Child support can be enforced anywhere in the United States. No.

DCSE can usually assist a custodial parent in the collection of support from social security disability benefits, but Supplemental Security Income benefits cannot be attached for the payment of child support. Some courts may choose not to enter an order if a noncustodial parent receives Social Security benefits. Also, some courts may credit a lump sum paid to the dependents by the Social Security Administration toward the noncustodial parent's arrearage.

Yes. The local CSEA can take steps to do a withholding through the military system. Please contact your local CSEA.

If the noncustodial parent does not respond to the Summons and Complaint, the court will set the amount of child support based on the information it has from the local child support agency and the custodial party.

Unless the noncustodial parent is participating in a work-release program or has other attachable assets, DCSE has no way to collect support from an incarcerated noncustodial parent. The support continues to be owed and interest may accrue on the unpaid support. It may be possible to establish paternity while an alleged father is incarcerated.

The amount of child support is based on the income of both parents and the amount of time each parent cares for the child. The court uses child support guidelines provided by the California Family Code.

No. As long as you are cooperating with DCSS, TANF payments and Medi-Cal benefits will be available to you.

A custodial parent may withdraw from services if she/he was the person who applied for services or a case was opened when they went on cash assistance. If there is money owed to a state, CSSD will continue to collect the state debt. If you want to withdraw from services, you may use our form (found on the website) or simply send a letter asking to withdraw from services. When custodial parents go off public assistance we send them a letter.

Your child support enforcement agency will ask the State Parent Locator Service (SPLS) to search for the noncustodial parent. Using the social security number, the SPLS will check the records of State agencies such as motor vehicle registration, unemployment insurance, income tax, and correctional facilities. If the SPLS finds that the parent has moved to another State, it can ask the other State to search, or send a request to the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS).