RulesofCivilProcedure.com Civil Procedure · Every State

Rule 5.320.Attorney of record in support actions under title IV-D of the Social Security Act

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 5.320 makes the director of the local child support agency the attorney of record in title IV-D actions and simplifies what the agency’s papers must show.

Full Text of Rule 5.320

Text size

The attorney of record on behalf of a local child support agency appearing in any action under title IV-D of the Social Security Act is the director of the local child support agency, or if the director of that agency is not an attorney, the senior attorney of that agency or an attorney designated by the director for that purpose. Notwithstanding any other rule, including but not limited to rule 2.100-2.119, the name, address, and telephone number of the county child support agency and the name of the attorney of record are sufficient for any papers filed by the child support agency. The name of the deputy or assistant district attorney or attorney of the child support agency, who is not attorney of record, and the State Bar number of the attorney of record or any of his or her assistants are not required.
End

Plain-English Summary

The attorney of record for a local child support agency is its director — or, where the director is not an attorney, the agency’s senior attorney or an attorney the director designates.

The filing requirements are correspondingly light, and expressly override the general rules on the form of papers. The agency’s name, address and telephone number, together with the name of the attorney of record, are sufficient for any papers it files. The name of the deputy or assistant handling the matter is not required, and neither is the State Bar number of the attorney of record or of any assistant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the attorney of record for a child support agency?

The director of the local child support agency, or — if the director is not an attorney — the agency’s senior attorney or an attorney the director designates for that purpose.

Why do the agency’s papers not show a State Bar number?

Because this rule does not require one. The agency’s name, address and telephone number plus the attorney of record’s name are sufficient, notwithstanding the general rules on the form of papers.

Amendment History

Rule 5.320 amended effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1280.4 effective July 1, 1997; previously amended effective January 1, 2001; previously amended and renumbered 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: attorney of record child support agency Californialocal child support agency filingstitle IV-D attorney of record