How to Enforce Child Support Orders in California — Practical Steps to Get the Support Your Child Deserves | Los Angeles Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

How to Enforce Child Support Orders in California — Practical Steps to Get the Support Your Child Deserves

Hi, I’m Tim Blankenship of Divorce661. If you’re dealing with unpaid child support in California, you’re not alone. In a recent video I made, I explained the legal tools available to enforce a child support order and shared a real-life example of how enforcement turned months of non-payment into steady income for a family. This article expands on those ideas so you can understand your options and take effective action.

Why enforcement matters

When an obligor stops paying child support, it threatens your child’s financial security and stability. A court order is legally binding, but orders don’t enforce themselves. The good news: California provides several enforcement mechanisms designed to compel payment and protect your child’s rights.

Common enforcement tools in California

Here are the primary tools the court and child support agencies can use to collect overdue support:

  • Filing an enforcement request with the court — This is often the first step. Filing initiates legal proceedings to recover unpaid support and allows the court to issue enforcement remedies.
  • Wage garnishment (wage assignment) — The court can order automatic deductions from the payer’s paycheck so support is paid regularly and directly to the custodial parent or the state child support agency.
  • Liens on property — Placing a lien on real property or other assets can prevent the obligor from selling or refinancing until arrears are paid.
  • Suspension of licenses — Driver’s licenses, professional licenses, and other privileges may be suspended to pressure payment.
  • Accruing interest — Unpaid child support often accrues interest, which increases the total amount owed and encourages prompt collection.

How the process typically works

  1. Review your child support order. Confirm the terms, amounts, and any modifications that may affect enforcement.
  2. Gather documentation. Prepare proof of missed payments, the court order, income information for the obligor (if available), and any communication records about payment attempts.
  3. File enforcement paperwork. Submitting a formal request to the court starts enforcement. Proper paperwork and correct filing are critical to avoid delays.
  4. Request specific remedies. Ask the court for a wage assignment, property lien, license suspension, or other appropriate tools based on the situation.
  5. Coordinate with local agencies. County child support agencies can assist with administrative enforcement, collections, and federal enforcement tools if needed.

Real example: enforcement that worked

“We helped a parent who hadn’t received support for over 6 months. We filed the enforcement request, the court issued a wage assignment, and payments started flowing again—reliably and on time.”

This illustrates how a timely enforcement request and a wage garnishment can quickly restore regular payments and bring financial stability back to a household.

When to get professional help

Enforcement involves preparation, correct forms, and coordination with courts and agencies. If you’re unsure how to proceed, professional legal document preparation and filing help can speed the process and increase your chance of success. Services like Divorce661 offer flat-fee document preparation, court filing assistance, and coordination with local child support agencies so the paperwork is filed quickly and accurately.

Practical tips to move forward

  • Act promptly — the longer arrears accumulate, the harder recovery can become (and interest may grow the balance).
  • Keep records — document missed payments, communications, and any agreements.
  • Ask for a wage assignment — it’s one of the most reliable ways to get consistent payments.
  • Consider agency assistance — your county child support agency can offer enforcement support and federal tools.
  • Seek help with paperwork — accurate filings reduce delays and increase the likelihood of immediate remedies.

Conclusion — protect your child’s financial future

If your ex has stopped paying child support in California, you have legal options. Filing an enforcement request, requesting wage garnishment, placing liens, or seeking license suspensions are effective tools to compel payment. With the right approach and professional help when needed, you can secure the support your child is entitled to and restore financial stability.

Need help getting started? Visit Divorce661.com for a free consultation and assistance with enforcement paperwork and coordination with local child support agencies. You don’t have to navigate this alone; take steps today to protect your child’s rights and future.

 

How to Enforce Spousal Support Orders in California | Los Angeles Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

How to Enforce Spousal Support Orders in California

I’m Tim Blankenship from Divorce661. If your ex has stopped paying spousal support in California, you don’t have to sit and wait—there are strong legal tools available to make them comply. In this article I’ll walk you through the enforcement options, what to do first, and how to get your support payments moving again.

Why you should act quickly

Unpaid spousal support can accumulate interest and put you in a difficult financial spot. The courts expect support orders to be followed, and when payments stop, prompt action increases the likelihood you’ll recover the money owed. Don’t let unpaid support pile up. Act promptly to secure your financial future.

Common enforcement tools the court can use

California courts have several enforcement mechanisms to collect spousal support. Knowing your options helps you choose the right strategy for your situation.

Wage garnishment / wage assignment

The court can issue a wage assignment (also called wage garnishment) that directs your ex-employer to withhold a portion of their paycheck and send it to you automatically. This is often the fastest, most reliable way to restart payments—especially if your ex changed jobs and payments stopped.

Contempt of court

If a person willfully disobeys a support order, the court can hold them in contempt. That can lead to fines or even jail time. Contempt is a powerful remedy but usually requires the court to find that the non-paying spouse had the ability to pay and chose not to.

Liens, levies, and bank garnishments

The court can place liens on property, levy bank accounts, or use other collection devices to secure unpaid support. These tools can be effective when wage garnishment isn’t possible or if there’s a lump-sum owed.

Interest on unpaid support

Unpaid spousal support typically accrues interest. That means delaying enforcement can increase the total amount owed—another reason to file an enforcement request sooner rather than later.

The Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) — when to involve them

While DCSS primarily enforces child support, they can sometimes assist with spousal support matters depending on the case circumstances. If you already work with DCSS or your case has elements that overlap with child support, coordinating with them can add another enforcement pathway.

Real client example: How enforcement can work

One of our clients experienced a sudden stop in spousal support after their ex changed jobs. They were unsure what to do, so we filed enforcement paperwork with the court. The court issued a new wage assignment and payments resumed automatically—no drawn-out court fight was necessary. This demonstrates how effective filing an enforcement request can be.

How to start: filing an enforcement request

Here’s a basic roadmap to enforcing a spousal support order in California:

  • File a Request for Order (RFO) or enforcement paperwork with the family court that issued the support order.
  • Ask the court for a wage assignment, arrears judgment, contempt hearing, or other appropriate relief.
  • Provide proof of the missed payments and any communications about payment.
  • Serve the other party with the paperwork and attend any required hearings.
  • If ordered, coordinate with your ex’s employer or financial institutions to implement garnishments or levies.

Typical documents to gather

  • Copy of the spousal support order or judgment
  • Bank statements and payment records showing missed payments
  • Paystubs or proof of your ex’s employment changes (if available)
  • Any written communications about the payments

What to expect: timeline and outcomes

Timelines vary. A simple wage assignment can be issued fairly quickly and produce automatic payments within a few pay cycles. Contempt proceedings or contested hearings take longer. Regardless, filing enforcement paperwork starts the clock and helps preserve your rights and the amount owed.

Practical tips

  • Act immediately after the first missed payment—prompt enforcement prevents bigger arrears and interest.
  • Document everything. Clear records make enforcement smoother.
  • If your ex changes jobs, a new wage assignment can be issued to the new employer.
  • Consider professional help to prepare the paperwork and handle coordination with courts and employers.

How I can help

At Divorce661 we file enforcement requests, handle wage garnishments, and coordinate with the court and support services so you get the payments you’re legally owed. We offer flat-fee services across California and a straightforward process to get enforcement moving quickly and with less stress.

Schedule a free consultation at divorce661.com to discuss your case and next steps. By taking action today, you can regain control of your financial situation and ensure you receive the support entitled to you.

Conclusion

Unpaid spousal support is serious, but California provides effective enforcement tools—from wage garnishments and wage assignments to contempt and liens. Filing an enforcement request is the first and most important step. If you need help navigating the process, reach out: divorce661.com. Don’t let unpaid support pile up—act now.

“Don’t let unpaid support pile up. Act promptly to secure your financial future.” — Tim Blankenship, Divorce661

 

How to Terminate a Child Support Order: Getting the Judge to Sign FL-195 for Your Employer | Los Angeles Divorce

Posted by Tim Blankenship on

 

How to Terminate a Child Support Order: Getting the Judge to Sign FL-195 for Your Employer

If you’re currently paying child support and approaching the time when the order needs to end, it’s important to understand the proper steps to officially terminate the support. This guide, inspired by the expertise of Tim Blankenship from Divorce661, explains how to get the judge to sign the necessary FL-195 form so your employer can stop withholding child support from your paycheck.

Understanding the FL-195 Income Withholding Order

The FL-195 is a court-issued income withholding order that is typically served on your employer. It instructs them on how much child support or spousal support to deduct from your wages. This order stays in effect until the court officially terminates it.

If you or your employer are still operating under an FL-195, it means that support payments will continue to be deducted from your paycheck. But what happens when the time comes to stop these deductions, such as when your child turns 18 and child support should end?

Why You Need a Court Order to Terminate Child Support

Simply informing your employer that child support should stop is not enough. If your employer has a previously signed FL-195, they will require a new court order confirming the termination of child support before they can stop withholding payments.

This means you must return to court and file a motion to have the judge sign an official order terminating the child support. Without this signed order, your employer is legally obligated to continue withholding support.

Key Point:

  • If child support was originally ordered and your employer has a signed FL-195, a new court order is required to end the withholding.
  • This new order must be signed by the judge and then served on your employer.

Planning Ahead: Timing is Crucial

One common challenge is timing. The process of filing a motion and obtaining a judge’s signature on the termination order can take approximately 60 days or more. This means you need to plan well in advance—at least four to five months before child support should end.

For example, if your child is turning 18 and support should stop at that time, waiting until the last minute to file for termination can result in your employer continuing to withhold child support beyond the necessary period. This happens because the employer needs the official court order to make any changes to the deductions.

In many cases, support payments may continue for a short time after the child support obligation has ended, simply because the paperwork hasn’t caught up yet. To avoid this, start the process early so you can minimize unnecessary deductions and potential confusion.

Steps to Terminate Child Support Successfully

  1. File a Motion with the Court: Initiate the process by filing a motion requesting termination of the child support order.
  2. Obtain a Judge’s Signature on the New Order: The court will review your motion, and if everything is in order, the judge will sign the FL-195 termination order.
  3. Serve the New Order to Your Employer: Once signed, this order must be served to your employer so they can stop withholding child support from your paycheck.

Final Thoughts

Terminating a child support order is not an automatic process and requires legal steps to ensure all parties—especially your employer—are properly informed. The key takeaway is to be proactive and plan ahead to avoid unnecessary withholding after your child support obligation ends.

If you are facing this situation, consider reaching out to a legal professional who can assist you with filing the correct paperwork and navigating the court process efficiently.

For more guidance or assistance with child support termination and related family law matters, you can contact Divorce661 at 661-2867 or visit their website at www.divorce661.com.