When a parent or spouse fails to pay court-ordered child support or spousal support, California has powerful enforcement tools that operate largely automatically. Understanding wage garnishment child support california, income withholding order california, license suspension child support, and other collection mechanisms helps both the recipient seeking payment and the payor facing enforcement.
Income Withholding Order California
An income withholding order california (formerly called a wage assignment) is issued automatically in every child support case and most spousal support cases. The income withholding order california instructs the payor's employer to deduct the support amount from each paycheck and send it directly to the State Disbursement Unit, which forwards it to the recipient. The employer must comply within 10 days of receiving the order. Wage garnishment child support california operates the same way for self-employed payors whose income can be reached through bank levies or payments from clients.
License Suspension for Unpaid Child Support
License suspension child support california: California's Family Code sections 17520 allows the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) to suspend driver's licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses for payors who are more than 30 days delinquent in child support payments. License suspension is a powerful incentive to pay — professionals who need their license to work face immediate financial pressure to resolve the arrears. To reinstate a suspended license, the payor must pay the arrears in full or reach a payment agreement with DCSS.
Other Enforcement Tools
Additional child support enforcement california tools include: property liens on real estate; bank account levies; interception of state and federal tax refunds; reporting to credit bureaus; and contempt of court proceedings. Child support arrears california: there is no statute of limitations on collecting child support arrears — past-due support can be collected indefinitely. Interest accrues at 10% per year on unpaid child support arrears. Furubotten Law, APC handles support enforcement and defense throughout Orange County and Riverside County. Call (714) 795-3862 for a complimentary case evaluation.