Behind on child support? You have more options than they told you. We've proven it for 26 years.

No — we are a free referral service for fathers. We connect you with an experienced fathers' advocate and document service whose fees are a fraction of a law firm's. Many child support matters can be resolved administratively or with properly prepared court documents; when a case does need courtroom representation, the advocates can connect you with experienced child support attorneys.

In many cases, yes. Arrears owed to the state may qualify for California's Debt Reduction Program, and arrears owed to the other parent can sometimes be settled for a lump sum. Arrears charged while your child lived with you, or based on orders you were never properly served with, can be contested or set aside. Results depend on the details of your situation.

Timelines vary by county and case, but license release is often one of the quicker matters to resolve once the right paperwork and negotiations are in motion. Tell us your situation and we'll give you an honest estimate.

Then we can't help you — and we'll tell you that upfront. We help fathers who dispute incorrect arrears, need orders that reflect their real income, or want to resolve debt honestly. That honesty is why fathers trust this process.

California charges 10% simple interest per year on unpaid child support, under Code of Civil Procedure § 685.010 — one of the highest rates in the nation. Interest starts accruing from the date each payment was due. This is why a balance can nearly double over time even without new missed payments, and why addressing arrears early costs far less than waiting.

No. Under Family Code § 4502, there is no statute of limitations on collecting child support arrears in California. The debt remains enforceable until paid — even after your child turns 18, and even decades later. Waiting does not make it go away; it only adds interest.

Generally no — California courts cannot retroactively reduce support that has already accrued. A modification can only apply back to the date the request was filed with the court (Family Code § 3653). This is the single biggest reason to act immediately when your income drops: every month you wait to file is a month of support at the old, higher amount that usually cannot be undone.

California DCSS enforcement tools include wage garnishment of up to half of your net disposable earnings, interception of state and federal tax refunds, suspension of driver's, professional, and business licenses, bank levies, property liens, credit reporting, and — under federal law — passport denial once arrears exceed $2,500. Many of these actions can be released or reduced once the underlying issue is addressed through the correct process.

Under Family Code § 4007.5, child support obligations are suspended during incarceration or involuntary institutionalization lasting more than 90 consecutive days, unless you had the means to pay or the support was owed for the person you were convicted of harming. If you were charged support for a qualifying period behind bars, you can seek an adjustment of that portion of the arrears.

Because California's guideline formula (Family Code § 4055) is based on both parents' incomes as well as timeshare. With equal custody time, the higher-earning parent typically still pays support to balance the households. If your income has dropped or your timeshare has increased since your order was made, those are exactly the changed circumstances that can justify a modification.

The Debt Reduction Program (also called the Compromise of Arrears Program, or COAP) allows arrears owed to the state — typically from periods when your child received public assistance — to be reduced, sometimes substantially, in exchange for an agreed payment. Eligibility and the amount forgiven depend on your income, assets, and payment history, and the program remains active in California. Arrears owed directly to the other parent are handled differently and have stricter rules.

Current support generally ends when your child turns 18 — or 19 if they are unmarried and still enrolled full-time in high school (Family Code § 3901). Important: this ends the ongoing obligation only. Any arrears that accumulated remain fully collectible, with interest, after your child becomes an adult.

You don't need to live in California — what matters is that your child support case or order is in a California county. We help fathers nationwide whose cases run through California courts and DCSS offices, including Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno, Alameda, Santa Clara, and every other county statewide. Much of the work can be handled without you appearing in person.