Once you have obtained a valid order for support, you may enforce the support ordered in several ways.

The best method of enforcing support payments is by wage assignment. California law creates a mandatory and immediate wage assignment in connection with support orders. A wage assignment will be ordered at the time the order for support is entered and is provided to the payor’s place of employment. The employer is required, without repercussion to the employee, to honor the wage assignment, and deduct the child support from the payor’s salary or wages.

In addition to a wage assignment, the other effective methods of enforcing the payment of child support is placing liens on property, obtaining security deposits, utilizing contempt proceedings. It is advisable to consult with an attorney, since the viability of these options depends on individual circumstances. If you cannot afford to consult with private counsel, the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) will enforce support orders for those receiving public assistance benefits. DCSS will also enforce non-aid cases, although they do not have the same priority. For that reason, many people seek the assistance of a private attorney.