Rule 5.300.Purpose, authority, and definitions

Division 1. Family Rules · Chapter 10. Government Child Support Cases (Title IV-D Support Cases) · Last amended 2007 · Last verified September 10, 2026

In one sentenceRule 5.300 opens the government child support chapter, stating its authority and defining a “title IV-D support action” as one brought by or otherwise involving the local child support agency.

Full Text of Rule 5.300

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c)

(a) Purpose

The rules in this chapter are adopted to provide practice and procedure for support actions under title IV-D of the Social Security Act and under California statutory provisions concerning these actions.

(b) Authority

These rules are adopted under Family Code sections 211, 3680(b), 4251(a), 4252(b), 10010, 17404, 17432, and 17400.

As used in these rules, unless the context requires otherwise, “title IV-D support action” refers to an action for child or family support that is brought by or otherwise involves the local child support agency under title IV-D of the Social Security Act.

End

Plain-English Summary

Government support cases run on their own procedural track, and this rule marks where that track begins. The chapter provides practice and procedure for support actions under title IV-D of the Social Security Act and the California statutes governing them.

The definition is the working part. A “title IV-D support action” is an action for child or family support brought by — or otherwise involving — the local child support agency under title IV-D. That phrase decides which of the following rules apply to a given case, including the ones on telephone appearances, the attorney of record, and which support calculator must be used.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a title IV-D support action?

An action for child or family support brought by, or otherwise involving, the local child support agency under title IV-D of the Social Security Act.

Why do government support cases have separate rules?

Because they operate under a federal programme with its own requirements. The rules in this chapter provide the practice and procedure for those actions and for the California statutes concerning them.

Amendment History

Rule 5.300 amended effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1280 effective January 1, 1977; previously amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2003.

(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007.) (Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2003.) (Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2003.)

Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California. Last verified September 10, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: title IV-D support action Californialocal child support agency casegovernment child support rules California