Child Support Payment Options
Parents are expected to support their child regardless of their relationship status with the child’s other parent. California has standard child support guidelines that calculate child support amounts for parents. Judges can deviate from the base amount for several reasons. When you pay court-ordered child support, your payments are usually handled by a Child Support Services office. Child support payments are made through the State Disbursement Unit (SDU).
How Do You Pay Child Support in Los Angeles, CA?
Here are the different ways you can make child support payments in California:
Pay Child Support Payments Online
You can pay child support payments online through the State Disbursement Office. The online SDU accepts credit card/debit card payments, bank drafts, or PayPal. Credit card payments incur a 1.9% service fee. PayPal payments incur a 2.49% ($3.95 min) processing fee.
You must register to pay online. You will need your Social Security number (or birth date), email address, telephone number, and Participant ID. If you do not have your Participant ID number or need help, you can call 1-866-901-3212.
Pay Child Support Payments by Mail
If a child support agency manages your case, you can mail a check or money order for child support payments. Check and money order payments are mailed to CA SDU, Post Office Box 989067, West Sacramento, CA, 95798-9067. You should ensure that your information is included with your payment so that it is applied promptly to your account.
Pay Child Support Payments In-Person or by Cash
If you want to pay cash or pay in person, you can check with your local child support agency to determine their procedures. Many child support agencies accept payments in person by cash, e-check, or credit card through automated kiosks at their offices. Child support kiosks may also be located at county courthouses and other locations. The California child support services website offers a tool to locate your local child support agency.
Pay Child Support Payments Through PayNearMe
California allows parents to pay support payments at PayNearMe locations. These locations are usually found at Family Dollar stores, 7-Elevens, ACE Cash Express stores, Casey’s General Stores, and CVA Pharmacies (except inside Target).
You must obtain a personal PayNearMe barcode from the California child support page or by calling your local child support office. Then, you can use the barcode to make payments to a cashier at a PayNearMe location. The service charges a $1.99 fee for payments. Payments could take several days to be processed and posted to the account.
Pay Child Support Payments by MoneyGram
You can use MoneyGram to pay child support in California. MoneyGram locations are usually at Advance America, Walmart, Albertsons, and other locations. You must have your Participant ID number and Receive Code to use MoneyGram. The payments could take several days to post to your account. There is a fee of $1.99 to use MoneyGram.
Wage Garnishment for Child Support Payments
Many child support orders include an income withholding order. When your employer receives the order, they must withhold your child support payments from your income. Your employer forwards the payments to the child support office. Wage withholding is one of the most common ways to pay court-ordered child support payments in California.
What Happens if I Don’t Pay Child Support in California?
You may face several enforcement actions and penalties if you do not make child support payments. California implemented new methods for monitoring and enforcing child support obligations beginning January 1, 2024.
The consequences for failing to pay child support include, but may not be limited to:
- Criminal charges for failing to obey a child support order
- An Earnings Assignment Order to garnish a portion of your wages for child support arrears
- Withholding orders to garnish child support arrears from workers’ compensation, tax refunds, and other income
- Suspension of driving privileges
- Revoke, suspend, or deny professional licenses, licenses for recreational purposes, fishing licenses, and business licenses
- Liquidation of financial assets
- File a lien against real or personal property
- Denial of a notary public application
In addition to the above enforcement actions, California Family Code §1218.5 provides that a parent may be held in contempt of court for failing to pay child support. Each month that the payment is not made is a separate count of contempt. Fines and jail time might result from contempt of court charges.
A Child Support Attorney Can Help
If you are behind in child support payments, contact a Los Angeles child support attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can review your options regarding child support payments, including a potential modification of child support.
Contact a California Divorce Lawyer Today
For more information, contact our experienced California divorce lawyers at Berenji & Associates Divorce Lawyers by calling (310) 271-6290 to schedule a consultation.
We serve all through Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and its surrounding areas. Visit any of our offices at:
Berenji & Associates Divorce Lawyers Los Angeles Office
550 S. Hill Street STE 1467
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 277-2586
Berenji & Associates Divorce Lawyers Beverly Hills Office
9465 Wilshire Blvd #333
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(213) 277-2586