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Bakersfield Child Support Attorney
Child Support Lawyer in Kern County
Whether you're a prospective payor or recipient in a child support dispute, you're probably wondering how you can achieve an outcome that helps your child receive the resources they need.
At Divorced by Design, our Bakersfield child support attorneys understand the ins and outs of child support laws in California. We'll work with you to pursue an equitable outcome that ensures your child obtains the support they deserve.
To schedule a consultation with one of our veteran Kern County child support attorneys, contact us online or via phone at (661) 760-2872.
How Does Child Support Work in California?
There are 49 child support agencies spread out across the state of California. The agency you work with on your child support case will be determined by the county that you file for child support in.
So how does child support work in California? Generally, the custodial parent - whichever parent the child spends a majority of their time living with - receives child support payments. If a parent wishes to receive child support, they must either visit their local child support agency and fill out an application at the agency, or do so online. The agency will then work with the parent to initiate a child support case with the court.
After opening a child support case, the agency will work with the parent to ensure both parents are located. After the prospective child support payor is located, they will be given a Summons and Complaint packet notifying them of the support case. They have 30 days to respond. If they choose not to respond, the court may award the parent or guardian who initiated the case with a default judgment awarding them support.
Assuming both parents named in the support case have legal parentage of the child the case is for, they then have two options:
- Form a stipulated agreement. If the parents agree on a child support arrangement, they can work with their attorneys to draft and sign an agreement detailing those terms. A court can then approve the agreement to finalize the support arrangement.
- Litigate the case in court. If the parents disagree, the parents can attend court together and present their cases to the judge. The judge will then determine an equitable arrangement and issue a child support order.
After a child support order is established, the support payor's employer will be responsible for automatically deducting child support from their paycheck.
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Would recommend him 100x
“Mr. Rice went above and beyond for my parents. He answered all of our questions and made us feel very comfortable and at ease! Would recommend him 100x.”
- Chelsey Crump -
He’s a man of his word and he takes the worry out of this process
“I highly recommend Garrett Rice if you need a divorce attorney. Divorce can be chaotic and stressful but not with him. He’s a man of his word and he takes the worry out of this process. his office is very responsive and they are with you every step of the way! Garrett goes above and beyond!!!”
- Whitney Rainwater -
Garret represented my case with the utmost professionalism and care
“Garret represented my case with the utmost professionalism and care. I really felt that he provided a personal touch with his representation. I thoroughly believe that without his knowledge and litigation expertise, I would have had a different outcome in my case.”
- Nick Lidgett -
Whether you need your divorce handled with white gloves or a shark in the court Garrett is your man!
“Mr. Rice is an amazing lawyer not only was he efficient he listened to my needs and the needs of my children and executed them perfectly in court. He’s a no-nonsense lawyer with a proven track record. Whether you need your divorce handled with white gloves or a shark in the court Garrett is your man! I will definitely recommend him to any and everyone I know! I’ve had 2 other lawyers in Bakersfield and no one is even close to as good as him. He’s the smartest person in the room by far and doesn’t accept the games played in family court.”
- Justin Debrum -
Garrett is a very compassionate and understanding attorney
“Garrett is a very compassionate and understanding attorney. He is not in it for the money but only for the best interest of you and your family. He will not give you false hopes during the case. Garrett is always prepared for court, speaks very direct, dresses very nicely and is presentable for court, and is highly favored by the judges. Every time we went to court we received the results we wanted and he did all the talking. He defends you in and out of court when the other side wants to get out of line. I love that he gives his clients his direct number and you can contact him directly whenever. We are very seasoned with the attorneys here in Bakersfield, and 98% of them are money hungry, have no interest in your case (but they will fake it to get your money), and will continue your case for years which equals thousands of dollars you will never see again. So! If you are looking for an attorney who will get the job done and genuinely cares about you or are debating changing attorneys because they fall in that 98% category, GARRETT IS YOUR MAN! You’ll thank me later 😉”
- Camille Elijah
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Family-CenteredOur team is here to shoulder the legal burden of your case so that you can focus on caring for your family.
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Free ConsultationsWe understand you have questions, our firm provides free consultations to help get you started in the right direction.
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Flexible SchedulesWe understand that dealing with a family law dispute is never easy. We want to help ease that burden by making ourselves available when you need us most.
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Customized StrategiesOur attorneys will customize their strategy to you and your needs, helping you identify and pursue a positive resolution in your case.
Take the First Step With Our Firm
Call 661-760-2872 Or Fill Out the Form to Get Started With Your Consultation