Child Support Services
The Napa County Department of Child Support Services (CSS) is the Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) responsible for establishing and/or enforcing child support court orders. We provide an effective system that encourages parental responsiblity to their children.
Program Mission
The mission of the Child Support Services Program is to enhance the well-being of children and the self-sufficiency of families by providing professional services to locate parents, establish paternity and establish and enforce orders for financial and medical support.
services
Establishing Paternity
If the legal father of the child is not yet determined, our office will initiate one of several processes to determine paternity. Paternity must be legally established prior to proceeding with any child support enforcement.
Establishing Child and/or Medical Support orders
Once paternity is established, we can help you get a child support order based on each parent’s income, visitation, and other information. Most orders will also include a wage assignment so money will be withheld from the noncustodial parent’s paycheck to pay child support.
Enforcing and/or Modifying orders
Obligors (Non-custodial parents) are required to pay their court-ordered child support on time and in full. If the non-custodial parent (NCP) becomes deliquent, the Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) will attempt to gain compliance. The LCSA has many ways to collect support, or may initiate a Review and Adjustment, and possibly modify the order.