Wage Assignments in California

What is a wage assignment?your child support statements and keep your pay
A wage assignment, also called an Order/ Noticestubs to make sure you are receiving proper
to Withhold Income for Child Support, requires ancredit. If there is a problem, contact your local
employer to make a deduction from a parent'schild support agency immediately.
paycheck to pay child, spousal and/ or medicalHow much can be take from my paycheck?
support. The amount of the wage assignment isGenerally, up to 50 percent of your net wages
based on the most recent court order; however,can be taken for child support, but in special
the amount can be increased if the past duecircumstances, up to 65 percent. If the total of
support grows.your support order is more than 50 percent of
Why do I have a wage assignment?your net income, your full support obligation will
Federal and state laws require a wage assignmentnot be covered.
in almost every case where there is a childYou are responsible for paying the difference. If
support order. Wage assignments are ordered,your support order is more than 50 percent of
even if payments are currently being made. Ayour net income, it is possible that you are eligible
wage assignment helps children get their childfor a change in your child support order. Ask the
support on time. Wage assignments can also helplocal child support agency to review your case for
you by providing a payment record.a modification of the child support order.
How long will it last?What if change jobs?
Wage assignments continue until there is no longerYou must notify the local child support agency
any child support or arrears owed.every time you change jobs. You must also
Can I be fired?notify the local child support agency if you
No. It is against the law for an employer to firebecome unemployed. Even if you are not
an employee because the employee has a wageworking, you are still required to make payments
assignment. If you think this has happened, youevery month. You should immediately contact the
may want to speak to an attorney.local child support agency about modifying your
Is my employer required to follow a wagechild support.
assignment?Some important points!o Your employer is only
Yes. A wage assignment is a legal documentallowed to charge up to $1.50 administrative fee
served on your employer. If the employer doesfor each deduction.o You can dispute the amount
not follow it, your employer can be held inowed by filing papers at any time.o You have 10
contempt of court.days from the date you receive a copy of the
What if my employer is deducting payments but Iwage assignment to dispute the amount before
am not receiving credits?the withholding occurs.o Once the child support
Your employer has been given instructions forpayments are received by your employer it
processing wage assignments. Although yourshould be sent to the custodial party within 2
employer is required to deduct and sendbusiness days.o Not paying child support can result
payments on your behalf, you are responsible forin criminal penalties. If you intentionally quit your
making sure that your payments get to the localjob to avoid paying support, you may be held in
child support agency in a timely manner. Checkcontempt of court.