Learn About the Child Support Process


Services

The mission of the Stanislaus County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) is to promote the well-being of children by locating parents, establishing parentage, and obtaining and enforcing orders while providing the excellent level of service our customers deserve.

The Stanislaus County Department of Child Support Services is a county operated, state supervised local child support agency here to provide a range of services that help ensure that our children come first by helping both parents assume responsibility for the economic and social well being, health, and stability of their children. We recognize the value of improved relationships with both parents. These services are available at little to no cost and include:

  • Determining who a child's parents are and establishing parentage
  • Locating a child's parents for the purpose of establishing or enforcing child support
  • Establishing, modifying, and enforcing any court order to pay child support
  • Collecting child support, if there is a valid child support order and spousal support payments
  • Establishing and enforcing medical support, including dental and vision care.

Limitations

There are limits to the services that we are able to provide. However, we are often able to refer parents to other resources that may be able to assist them. Services that we cannot provide but may be offered by another resource include:

  • Prevention of harassment or the issuance of restraining orders
  • Handle your divorce
  • Establishment or enforcement of custody and visitation matters
  • Child Abduction
  • Establishment or enforcement of spousal support (unless the Department of Child Support Services is currently enforcing a child support order).

Please be aware that the Department of Child Support Services provides services on behalf of the State of California. The Department of Child Support Services does not represent you or your child(ren) and its attorneys are not your attorneys. Because you are not a client, the information you provide is not confidential under the attorney-client privilege and the Department of Child Support Services may provide support enforcement services to the other party in the future. The information on the case may be discussed or disclosed to the State, the Department of Social Services, other public agencies that are authorized by law to receive such information, and to the other parent or their attorney to the extent required by law. The Department of Child Support Services has the final say on what actions will be taken, even if you disagree.

If you are receiving CalWORKS/welfare

If your child is currently receiving CalWORKs (cash) benefits you do not need to complete an application form; we will automatically open a case for you because the public social services agency must send us a referral. If your child is not receiving CalWORKs because you have exceeded the maximum family grant (you have other children who are receiving CalWORKs), we will also automatically open a case for you.

If you are not receiving CalWorks

You can apply online, in person, or by mail.

To get an order for support, establish parentage or enforce a child support order, the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) must know where the Parent Paying Support (PPS) lives or works.

If the PPS cannot be found locally, their social security number will be checked against the records of other state agencies including the Department of Health Services, Department of Motor Vehicles, Employment Development Department, Franchise

It may take several months to get child support if you do not know where the other parent lives or if the address is out of state. There is no guarantee the other parent will be found. The more information you provide to the Department of Child Support Services, the higher the chance for success in locating the PPS. The Department of Child Support Services will make every effort to locate the PPS.

If a parent becomes involved with their child from the beginning of the child's life, they are more likely to continue to care for the child as they grow, both financially and emotionally.

Establishing parentage is an important first step in obtaining child support. In addition to providing the basis for obtaining support from the Parent Paying Support (PPS), establishing parentage gives a child born to unmarried parents the legal rights and privileges of a child born within a marriage. Those rights and privileges may include:

  • Support from both parents
  • Legal documentation of who their parents are
  • Access to family medical records. Many diseases, illnesses, birth defects and other health problems are passed to children by their parents.
  • Medical and life insurance coverage from either parent, if available
  • Inheritance rights
  • Social Security and Veteran's benefits, if available
  • The emotional benefits of knowing who both parents are

Parentage is established in court and can be done with or without the other parent’s assistance. In the process of establishing parentage, the birth parent may be asked some questions about their intimate relationship with the other parent. These questions may be avoided if the alleged other parent appears at the Department of Child Support Services for an interview, admits parentage and cooperates in the establishment of parentage. Also, if the alleged other parent agrees they are the parent, they can sign a Declaration of Parentage form stating they are the other parent.

If the alleged other parent will not cooperate, the Department of Child Support Services may establish parentage without the other parent's assistance. If the alleged other parent fails to answer a legal complaint that they are the parent, the court can name them the parent by default. Or, if the alleged other parent disagrees with or contests the claim that they are the parent, parentage will be determined after a court-ordered genetic test has been administered.

The Department of Child Support Services needs as much information as possible about the alleged other parent including:

  • Facts about the birth parent's relationship with other parent, their pregnancy and the child's birth
  • Whether or not the alleged other parent ever provided any money for the child
  • Whether or not the alleged other parent ever admitted, in any way, that the child was theirs (For example, through letters or gifts)
  • A picture of the alleged other parent with the child, if available
  • Any information from others who could confirm the birth parent and alleged other parent's relationship
  • Other Parent’s home and employer or business addresses
  • Names and addresses of other parent’s previous employers
  • Whether or not the child was conceived in California, and if the child ever lived in California

Genetic testing (DNA) to prove paternity may be done in appropriate cases. Genetic testing is used to determine biological parentage by comparing the DNA markers of the mother, alleged father, and child. We no longer conduct blood testing; instead we collect the DNA necessary for genetic testing by using the Buccal Swab method, which is painless. To conduct the test, a laboratory technician gently swabs the inner cheeks of the mouth to collect buccal cells. DNA is extracted from buccal cells instead of blood cells. The results are as efficient and accurate as a blood test, but less invasive because there are no needles.

Steps in genetic testing

  • Appointments are set for the mother, child and alleged father to appear at the testing facility for genetic samples to be taken. (NOTE: separate appointment times are used so the parties aren't at the facility at the same time.)
  • At the test site, identification of each of the parties is done. This usually includes checking a photo-I.D. (such as a driver's license), taking a photograph, taking a thumbprint, and having the party sign a document.
  • Samples are obtained for testing.
  • Once the laboratory testing is complete, the results will be mailed to you. If you have any questions when you receive the results, or if you don’t receive results (allow several weeks), you may call us at (866) 901-3212.

The Parentage Opportunity Program (POP) is a voluntary program for eligible parents to establish legal parentage free of charge. Signing the form is voluntary and will legally establish the person as the child's parent without having to go to court. Signing the form allows an unmarried parent's name to be placed on the child's birth certificate and will make the process of legally establishing parentage easier and faster in most cases. A filed Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (VDOP) has the same force and effect as a judgement for parentage issued by a court.

Unmarried new parents may sign a parentage form at the hospital immediately following the birth of their child by signing a VDOP and when signed by both parents, says the other party is the legal parent. A VDOP may also be signed by parents after leaving the hospital. The Department of Child Support Services can assist unmarried parents in the completion and filing of a VDOP, if one had not been completed immediately following the birth of the child(ren).

Additional Information Regarding Parentage Establishment

  • California Department of Child Support Services - Establish Parentage
  • File a Declaration of Parentage

If the Person Paying Support (PPS) is located and there is no court order, we will file a case with the court to obtain a court order for parentage (legal parent-child relationship), child support and medical support. This court order is called a Judgment.

We will serve the PPS with child support papers that contain a Summons, Complaint and Proposed Judgment (S&C). The S&C will include a proposed child support amount based on guidelines required by law. The guidelines use a standard formula for determining the child support amount, although the judicial officer may change the amount under limited circumstances.

A child support order is established based on both parents' ability to pay support, the amount of time each parent spends with the child, and the financial needs of the child. The Department of Child Support Services and the court will follow the child support guidelines established by state law in Family Code § 4055. This state law provides a standard formula for determining child support, although the court may change the amount under specific circumstances.

California developed a Guideline Calculator, which can be used to estimate the amount of child support that might be ordered. Information placed into this formula includes, but is not limited to: the earnings and income of each parent; the amount of time each parent takes care of the child (“timeshare”); certain expenses; and the number of other minor children that the parent is required by law to support.

Judicial officers have the final authority to determine the amount of a child support order. The Guideline Calculator provides only an estimate and is not a guarantee of the amount of child support that will be ordered. Other factors may impact the amount of a child support order.

Calculate Support

If the Person Paying Support (PPS) is located and there is no court order, we will file a case with the court to obtain a court order for parentage (legal parent-child relationship), child support and medical support. The papers filed with the court are called a Summons and Complaint and Proposed Judgment (S&C). These papers are very important. They tell the PPS that a lawsuit has been filed and how much support we are asking the court to order.

We will serve the PPS with child support papers that contain a Summons, Complaint and Proposed Judgment (S&C). The S&C will include a proposed child support amount based on guidelines required by law. The guidelines use a standard formula for determining the child support amount, although the judicial officer may change the amount under limited circumstances.

Usually a process server will provide the PPS with copies of the S&C. This is called service of process. The papers tell the PPS about the case against him or her and give the PPS an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process. When the PPS is served with the papers, the clock begins and legal deadlines are set.

If you disagree with the Summons and Complaint you can file an answer (sub drop down to Summons and Complaint)

The Summons & Complaint and Proposed Judgment (S&C) packet includes a blank Answer form. It is important to read the papers carefully. The Person Paying Support (PPS) has an opportunity to tell the court that he or she agrees or disagrees with what we are requesting in the S&C. This is done by completing the Answer and filing it with the court clerk.

Deadlines to file: A PPS who receives the lawsuit papers in person (personal service) has 30 days to file an Answer with the court. If the process server missed the PPS and left the papers with someone at the PPS’s home or work and mailed a copy, the PPS has 40 days from the date the papers were mailed to file an Answer with the court clerk.

If you are the PPS, after you complete your Answer, make a copy for yourself and a copy for our office. Do NOT send us the original Answer form. FILE YOUR ORIGINAL ANSWER form at:

Superior Court of California, Stanislaus County
P O Box 1098
800 11th Street
Modesto CA 95353-1098

If you are a PPS and would like help understanding the papers or filling out the Answer form, you can hire an attorney or contact the Family Law Facilitator at (209) 548-6237. For more information on the Family Law Facilitator go to: https://www.stanct.org/self-help

A support order may be obtained in the following ways:

  • Stipulation - a written voluntary agreement between two parties where no court hearing is required. A Stipulation includes the parties’ agreement, both parties’ signatures, and the signature of a Court Commissioner/Judge. Once signed by a Court Commissioner/Judge, a Stipulation (also known as a Stipulation and Order) is filed with the court and becomes a court order.
    • The Stipulation can be used to:
      • Get a new order
      • Change existing orders to:
        • Increase or decrease child support
        • Add medical support to an existing order
        • Set the amount of past due support owed
        • Increase or decrease the payment plan for past due support
        • Stop support when parents are together
  • Default Judgment - In general, if the PPS did not file an Answer to the S&C within 30 days, and a stipulation has not been reached, the judicial officer may enter a Judgment by default. This means the judicial officer may enter a final Judgment based on the terms of the Proposed Judgment, without a court hearing and without any input from the PPS.
  • Court Hearing - If the PPS files an Answer with the court clerk, the case will be scheduled for a court hearing. A PPS may request Genetic Testing to determine if he is the biological father of the child and may ask the court to decide the amount of child support. If the PPS does not attend the hearing, the court may make an order without him or her.

The Department of Child Support Services will also ask the court to require the Parent Paying Support (PPS) to provide health insurance coverage, including vision and dental care, for the child. If it is available at a reasonable cost, the court will order the Parent Paying Support (PPS) to maintain health coverage for the child. In most cases, the cost is considered reasonable if the coverage is employment-related group health insurance or other group health insurance. If coverage is not available at a reasonable cost, the court's order for support will state that health insurance coverage will be obtained by the parent if and when it becomes available at a reasonable cost.

The Parent/Party Receiving Support (PRS) or the Parent Paying Support (PPS) can request that the current support order be reviewed for possible modification to change the amount of support ordered to be paid, or to provide health insurance for the children. The requesting party should complete and return an Income and Expense Declaration along with their written request.

Notice of Right to Request a Review of Support Order

The Parent/Party Receiving Support (PRS) and/or the Parent Paying Support (PPS) has the right to request that the Department of Child Support Services review the support order to determine if the amount of support should be changed based on state-wide criteria. The Department of Child Support Services is not required to review an order if:

  • The order was reviewed for modification within the prior 12 months
  • The order was established or adjusted within the prior 24 months or
  • One of the parents cannot be located and there is no new information regarding his or her whereabouts

The Department of Child Support Services will review an order even if it was reviewed or adjusted recently if there has been a significant change in circumstance. In this instance, a significant change in circumstance is limited to either a parent becoming involuntarily unemployed, a parent becoming employed or a change in custody. Seasonal or intermittent employment that was considered by the court when establishing the support order does not qualify as a significant change in circumstance. Once the Department of Child Support Services has determined that an order will be reviewed, the review and modification process should be completed within 180 days.

The Department of Child Support Services must attempt to modify an order in any of the following circumstances:

  • Application of the state's child support guidelines indicates that the amount of support ordered should be increased by at least $50.00 or 20%, whichever is greater.
  • Application of the state's child support guidelines indicates that the amount of support should be decreased by at least $50.00 or 20%, whichever is greater, and the reason for the decrease is expected to last at least six months.
  • There is no medical insurance provision in the order and medical insurance is available at reasonable cost to the non-custodial parent.

If the Department of Child Support Services is not required to modify the order, the Department of Child Support Services must provide to either the Parent/Party Receiving Support (PRS) and/or the Parent Paying Support (PPS), upon request, information on how they can get forms to request the court to increase or decrease the amount of the support order.

The Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) strives to make sure that child support payments are regularly made and in the correct amount and that health insurance, if ordered, is provided for the child. Enforcement measures will be taken when a Parent Paying Support (PPS) fails to make their ordered payments for child support.

In reviewing the file to determine the best method of enforcement, the Department of Child Support Services' first concern is establishing a regular payment plan for current support. Collection of arrearages (past-due support) is the secondary concern. The most common and effective method of enforcement is by mandatory wage withholding. If this method does prove ineffective for any case, then the Department of Child Support Services has alternative methods of enforcing a support order. The best method of enforcement is selected based on all the information in the case including the income of the Parent Paying Support (PPS), and what kind of assets they have.

State law requires that child support payments be withheld from the paycheck of the Parent Paying Support (PPS) from the time that child support is ordered. The earnings of the Parent Paying Support (PPS) will be withheld unless he/she can:

  • Show good cause as to why it should not be done, or
  • Have an alternative arrangement with the Department of Child Support Services and the Parent/Party Receiving Support (PRS). Good cause and alternative arrangements concerning earning assignments are specified in state law in Family Code § 5260.

The employer of the Parent Paying Support (PPS) is served with a court order or a Notice of Assignment to Withhold a specified amount of current support and back child support, with instructions to send the wages to the State Disbursement Unit (SDU) for distribution. Once a wage assignment is served, the employer must honor it as long as the Parent Paying Support (PPS) remains employed.

An employer may not take more than 50% of the disposable earnings of the Parent Paying Support (PPS) unless ordered to do so by the court. The wage assignment order has priority over any other withholding order against the Parent Paying Support (PPS).

A Health Insurance Coverage Assignment (HICA) or Notice of HICA is a method of enforcement for medical support that requires the employer (or other person providing health insurance to the Parent Paying Support (PPS)) of the Parent Paying Support (PPS) to enroll the child(ren) in the parent's health insurance plan. The HICA also authorizes the employer to deduct the cost of the health care premiums from the earnings of the Parent Paying Support (PPS). The employer is instructed to notify the Department of Child Support Services of any lapse or change in the health insurance coverage. Changes can be made to the HICA administratively without going back to court. If the employer notifies the Department of Child Support Services of a change of health plan or lapse in coverage, the Department of Child Support Services will then determine if the Parent Paying Support (PPS) has a new employer/health plan. If so, the Department of Child Support Services will serve that employer/health plan with the Notice of HICA that has the same force and effect as the court ordered HICA.

A judgment lien on personal property is a lien on all interests in that property that are subject to enforcement of a money judgment, such as accounts receivable, equipment, inventory, chattel paper, farm products, and negotiable documents of title. The lien continues on the proceeds received upon the sale, collection or other disposition of the property subject to the lien.

The Department of Child Support Services will record support orders and judgments with the county recorder to create a lien against any real property in that county in which a Parent Paying Support (PPS) has or acquires an interest. Any action by the Parent Paying Support (PPS) to sell or refinance is prevented unless the lien is satisfied in full, or other arrangements are made with the Department of Child Support Services.

State regulations require the Department of Child Support Services to refer delinquent child support obligations to the FTB for collection. The Department of Child Support Services may also refer current child support obligations to the FTB for collection. The FTB collects delinquent child support in the same manner and with the same force and effect as they are authorized to use in the collection of state personal income taxes. The system sorts through more than 200 million records to locate an individual's assets. Once assets are found, levies are issued that can attach wages, bank accounts (such as checking, savings, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Keogh), rents, royalties, dividends and commissions. The FTB can also seize both real and personal property such as vacant land, cash, safe deposit boxes, vehicles and boats.

Other child support enforcement techniques include: liens, federal and state income tax refund intercepts, unemployment and state disability intercepts, lottery intercepts, writs of execution, contempt proceedings, suspension of professional licenses, driver's licenses and recreational licenses and also credit approval risk. Specific examples of techniques that may be used are:

(Refer to "Child Support Program Glossary" for further description.)

  • Internal Revenue Service Tax Refund Intercept System
  • Franchise Tax Board Tax Refund Intercept System
  • Unemployment Insurance Benefit Intercept System
  • Disability Insurance Benefit Intercept System
  • Lottery Winners Intercept
  • Credit Report System
  • Passport Denial System
  • Financial Management Services Intercept
  • State Licensing Match System
  • New Hire Registry
  • Financial Institutions Data Match
  • Statewide Utility Match System
  • Assets Match Program
  • Workers Compensation Appeals Board Match System
  • Board of Equalization Sales and Use Tax Intercept System
  • Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend Match
  • Support Order Registry

A person who is on active duty in the military service of the United States has specific protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), formerly called the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act, that may impact child support. The primary purpose of the SCRA is to protect members of the military during the period of their military service.

Under the SCRA, certain civil legal actions cannot be taken against active duty military personnel, including:

  • The service member may request a stay of all judicial and administrative civil proceedings if he or she is actively deployed on a military operation
  • Generally the court must appoint an attorney to the service member before a default judgment can be entered
  • The service member may request a stay of execution (the carrying out) of a judgment, attachment, or garnishment order under certain circumstances
  • The service member may request a review and possible modification of his or her child support order prior to deployment
  • The service member may request to lower the interest rate from 10% to 6% on past due support under certain conditions

For more information on how military service affects parents’ rights and responsibilities.

Cases in which one of the parties lives outside the State of California are assigned to our Intergovernmental Division. The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) provides rules for the jurisdiction and modification of child support orders when the parties live in different states.

The United States has reciprocal agreements with many nations around the world. For those nations, there are procedures in place for establishing and enforcing a child support order.

A case opened or being enforced by The Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) can be closed for many reasons. When a case is closed it means that DCSS will no longer provide services for that case. The fact that a case is closed has no impact on the underlying orders for support. If a Person Paying Support (PPS) still has an order for support, he or she must continue to pay that support to the Person Receiving Support (PRS). If arrears (past- due support) are owed those arrears must be paid to the PRS.

A PRS who is not receiving aid ("welfare") can close his or her case at any time. If there are arrears owed to the State, DCSS will leave the case open and continue to enforce those arrears, but will stop enforcing current support and arrears owed to the PRS. A PRS who is receiving aid cannot close the case because all the support he or she is entitled to while on aid is assigned to the State. A PRS may be able to reopen the case.

To request that a case be closed (or reopened), please contact our office.