General Provisions Related to Family Law Support

Division 9, Part 1, Chapter 2 provides general provisions related to support in the Family Code.

Section 3550 defines the terms “obligee” and “obligor.” An obligor present or resident in this state has the duty of support, regardless of the presence or residence of the obligee.

Section 3551 states that laws attaching a privilege against the disclosure of communications between spouses are inapplicable under this division. 

Section 3552 states, in a proceeding involving child, family, or spousal support, no party to the proceeding may refuse to submit copies of the party’s state and federal income tax returns to the court, whether individual or joint. The tax returns may be examined by the other party and are discoverable by the other party.

Section 3554 allows an appeal to be taken from an order or judgment under this division as in other civil actions.

Section 3555 provides that, where support is ordered to be paid through the county officer designated by the court on behalf of a child or other party not receiving public assistance, the designated county officer is required to forward the support received to the designated payee within the time standards prescribed by federal law and the DCSS.

Section 3556 states that the existence or enforcement of a duty of support owed by a noncustodial parent for the support of a minor child is not affected by a failure or refusal by the custodial parent to implement any rights as to custody or visitation granted by a court to the noncustodial parent.

Section 3557 provides that, absent good cause to the contrary, the court, in order to ensure that each party has access to legal representation to preserve each party’s rights, upon determining an award of attorney’s fees and cost under this section is appropriate, there is a disparity in access to funds to retain counsel, and one party is able to pay for legal representation for both parties, is required to award reasonable attorney’s fees to any of the specified persons.

Section 3558 allows a court, in a proceeding involving child or family support, to require either parent to attend job training, job placement and vocational rehabilitation, and work programs, as designated by the court, at regular intervals and times and for durations specified by the court, and provide documentation of participation in the programs in order to enable the court to make a finding that good faith attempts at job training and placement have been undertaken by the parent.