The California Courts are our state’s judicial branch. The California Department of Child Support Services is part of the executive branch.

Keeping the court separate from our program provides important checks and balances for the child support process.

What We Can Do to Prepare You for Court

We are always ready to support parents and guardians preparing for court by:

• Providing current information about your case
• Explaining what might happen in court
• Offering tips for making court appearances go smoothly
• Accepting electronic service of documents (e-service) and, with proper notice, serving the other person on the case with legal documents
• Encouraging customers to use local legal supports, such as Family Law Facilitators

We cannot give legal advice. We never represent parents or guardians on their child support case.

When attorneys from our program appear in court, they are representing the county, not the parents or guardians. The law requires the county to look after the best interests of the child on the case.

Certain parts of the child support process can be handled by us as well as by the court. Child support agreements—also called “stipulations”—are an example of that.

The advantage of working with our office on a child support agreement is that you do not have to go to court. This process often saves people time and reduces their stress.

Most agreements are made over the phone or through email, so parents can move at their own pace. Normally the parents do not have to see each other or even speak to each other directly.