Child Support
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Child Support Overview
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How to get or change a child support order
1. Overview: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/request-for-order
2. Free online assistance in completing forms:
a. Guide and File: https://california.tylerhost.net/SRL/SRL (“Request for Order”)
b. Law Help Interactive: https://lawhelpinteractive.org/Interview/GenerateInterview/7538/engine -
How to respond to Request for Order (FL-300) for child support
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Online assistance in completing Income and Expense Declaration FL-150
1. Guide and File: https://california.tylerhost.net/SRL/SRL (“Income and Expense Declaration”)
2. Law Help Interactive: https://lawhelpinteractive.org/Interview/GenerateInterview/8132/engine -
Family Law Facilitator: Free legal assistance
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Free child support mediation
At Anacapa Division
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Department of Child Support Services (DCSS)
Child Support
When parents separate, each parent is equally responsible for providing for the financial needs of their children. If the parents cannot agree about child support, the court may get involved and make an order for child support. Child support is usually required until the children turn 18 (or 19 if they are still in high school full time).
To get a child support order:
- Either parent can ask the judge to make a child support order. Or
- Either parent can go to the local Department of Child Support Services to get help in opening a child support case, paying and collecting child support payments, or enforcing a child support order that was already made in another family law case.
You can also work out an agreement with the other parent. To get help working out an agreement about child support, you can talk to the Family Law Facilitator.