vania-janet/multiturn-rag-retrieval-data huggingface dataset:
Self-Help Glossary - selfhelp
The side that receives the interrogatories must answer them in writing under oath. (See also discovery.)
interstate cases: In child support, cases where the dependent child and the parent that owes support live in different states, or where 2 or more states are involved in some case activity, like enforcement.
intestate: To die without making a will or leaving instructions for disposal of your property after death. (See also testate.)
inventory: (1) A detailed list of property; (2) the number of cases in various stages of the court process.
issue: (1) The disputed point between parties in a lawsuit; (2) to send out officially, as when a court issues an order.
IV-A("4-A") case: A child support case where a custodial parent and child(ren) get public assistance benefits under the state's IV-A program, which is funded under title IV-A of the Social Security Act. Applicants for IV-A assistance are automatically referred to their state IV-D agency in order to identify and locate the noncustodial parent, establish parentage and/or a child support order, and/or obtain child support payments. This lets the state get back some or all of its public assistance money from the noncustodial parent. (See also IV-D, public assistance, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).)
IV-D ("4-D"): Refers to title IV-D of the Social Security Act, which says that each state must create a program to find noncustodial parents, establish parentage, establish and enforce child support obligations, and collect and distribute support payments. Any person that gets public assistance (usually TANF) is referred to the state IV-D child support program. States must also accept applications from families that do not get public assistance, if requested, to help collect child support.
IV-E ("4-E"): Refers to title IV-E of the Social Security Act, which established a federal-state foster care program that gives financial support to a person, family, or institution that is raising a child or children not their own. (See also foster care.)
Families and children | California Courts | Self Help Guide


Families and children | California Courts | Self Help Guide

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Families and children
Types of legal cases and topics that effect families and children.

Select a topic

Divorce
        End a marriage or legally separate.
      

Parentage
        A legal decision whether someone is a child's legal parent.
      

Child custody and parenting time
        Parents' legal rights and responsibilities, and when they spend time with their child (visitation).
      

Child support
        Money a parent pays for their child's living expenses.
      

Domestic violence restraining orders
        Protection from a person you are or were in a relationship with or closely related to.
      

Guardianship
        When an adult who is not a child's parent gets custody of the child.
      

More topics

Adoption

Emancipation

Grandparent visitation

Juvenile dependency

Juvenile justice

Helping a young adult with a developmental disability

Special education rights

 

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Ask the Local Child Support Agency to establish parentage | California Courts | Self Help Guide
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Parentage Case Introduction | California Courts | Self Help Guide
Ask the court to determine parentage

A judge can decide who a child’s legal parents are - or are not - through a parentage case or an adoption case.
You can ask your local child support agency to open a case to establish parentage and child support orders. For more information, you can get free help from the Family Law Facilitator in your county.
If you are not sure if you or someone else is the child's parent
You can start a parentage case and ask the judge to decide. If there's a question about who the genetic father is, the judge may order genetic testing. But, the judge will look at a number of things, not just genetics, to decide if someone is a legal parent. A judge can determine (decide) someone is a child's legal parent even if they are not genetically related.
Can a child have more than 2 legal parents? 
It's possible in limited cases. For example, it's possible if the judge finds that it would hurt the child if additional parents were not legally recognized. For more information, contact your local Self-Help Center or ask a lawyer for advice about your situation.

If you received court papers asking a judge to decide if you are a legal parent
If you received a Petition to Determine a Parental Relationship (form FL-200) and a Summons (form FL-210), someone is asking a judge to determine if they or you are the legal parent of a child (called parentage, or formerly paternity). Find out your options if you received a Petition to Determine a Parental Relationship
If you received a Summons and Complaint Regarding Parental Obligations (form FL-600), the Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) has filed papers asking for the court to order that you or the child's other parent pay child support. They may also be asking for the court to determine if you and the other person listed in the papers are the child's legal parents. 
Where to get free help
Every county court in California has a Self-Help Center (Family Law Facilitator) that can help answer questions about what forms you need to file and where.
Child Custody, Support, and Visitation | Superior Court of California | County of Alameda
The original is for the court.
Step 2: File the forms
Take your completed forms to the local court Family Law Division and ask for a hearing date. If you need temporary orders for custody and cannot wait until your hearing, include the papers asking for temporary orders with the other documents. A judge will make a ruling on the temporary orders within 24 hours. You may have to give the other parent a copy of your papers first before the judge will make a ruling. When you file your forms, the clerk will ask you to pay a fee. If you don’t have enough money to pay the fees, ask the clerk for a fee waiver packet. Fill out the fee waiver forms and present them to the clerk with your other papers at the Clerk's Office. 
Step 3: Serve the forms
You must serve the other parent with endorsed filed copies of the court forms at least 21 days before your hearing (or sooner if the judge says so).
You must have someone serve the other parent with copies of the forms you filled out and filed.
This includes:
Request for Order (Form FL-300)
Temporary Orders (if you filed one) (Form FL-305)
Declaration in Support of Ex Parte Declaration for Orders (if you asked for temporary orders)
The person who serves the other parent must also serve blank copies of these forms for the other parent to fill out:
A blank Responsive Declaration to Request for Order (Form FL-320)
Remember: You cannot serve the papers yourself.
An adult (18 years of age or older) who is not involved in your case or a professional process server (you can find one in the telephone book) can serve the papers for you.
The person who serves the papers must complete a "Proof of Personal Service" (Form FL-330). The proof of service form says he or she has delivered the papers to the other party.

NOTE: Once the other party has been properly served, and you do not have a child custody agreement with the other parent, mediation is mandatory. Contact the Child Custody Mediation Services Office right away. 

Step 4: File the Proof of Service:
Child Custody, Support, and Visitation | Superior Court of California | County of Alameda
You can file at any time during your case -- even after your divorce is final. You can use a Request for Order to ask the Court:
For your first custody or visitation orders
To change the custody or visitation orders you have now
To tell the other parent to contact Child Custody Mediation Services to go to Parent Orientation and Mediation
For emergency custody or visitation orders (or to change the orders you have now because of an emergency situation)
If you want to file the Request for Order yourself, read the information on Forms below. Forms you will need:
If you are the one filing the Request for Order, you are the "moving party." Fill out these forms:
Request for Order (Form FL-300)
If you need emergency custody, visitation or restraining orders, also file:
Temporary Orders (Form FL-305).
You also need this form to give to the other parent:
Responsive Declaration to Request for Order (Form FL-320) (leave blank for the other parent to fill out)
You can download all the forms you need to file a Request for Order for free. Please use the links in this section. 
Fill out your forms neatly in blue or black ink.
You can also fill out your forms online using the Judicial Council website here.

How to file the Request for Order forms

Step 1: Fill out the forms
If you have an existing case, no matter how old, use the same case title and case number. The parent who was the "Petitioner" or "Respondent" in the old case will be called the same in the new filing. After you fill out your forms, make 3 copies (for you, the other party, and one extra). The original is for the court.
Step 2: File the forms
Take your completed forms to the local court Family Law Division and ask for a hearing date. If you need temporary orders for custody and cannot wait until your hearing, include the papers asking for temporary orders with the other documents. A judge will make a ruling on the temporary orders within 24 hours. You may have to give the other parent a copy of your papers first before the judge will make a ruling.
Child Support Information: Sacramento Superior Court

If there is no existing case, you need to file one of the following:

If you are married to the other parent, you may file a petition for
 
 divorce, legal separation or nullity.
If you are not married to the other parent, you may file a petition to
 
 establish parental relationship. A parentage action can be filed 
 by either the mother or father. If you file a parentage action yourself, you 
 can request orders for custody and visitation as well as child support.
A 
 	Petition for Custody and Support of Minor Children (this petition will not 
 terminate your marriage or establish a parental relationship) is also an option
 where parentage has already been established. 


 You have several alternatives available to assist you in obtaining a support 
 order:

You can contact an attorney for legal advice or to represent you by looking in 
 the telephone book or by calling the 
 
 Lawyer Referral and Information Service - external link at 916-564-6707.
 
You may contact the 
 	Department of Child Support Services (DCSS). - external link DCSS can help 
 you with child support only and not with any other family law issues such as 
 child custody, property division, or a divorce. DCSS is located at 3701 Power Inn Road. You 
 may contact DCSS in person or by telephone at 866-901-3212. 
You may represent yourself. If you decide to represent yourself, it may be 
 helpful to visit the
 
 Self-Help Center located in Room 113 of the 
 
 William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse. 
 The Self-Help Center is available to 
 provide information regarding court procedures and instructions on completing, 
 filing and serving the necessary documents. The Self-Help Center offers an 
 
 Income and Expense Declaration Workshop. 

Determining the Amount of Child Support

 	If you want to know the amount of child support that would be payable under the
 	California State Child Support Guideline, you may contact an attorney or go to
 	the 
 	California Department of Child Support Services - external link.
 	
Health and Daycare Costs

 	When you apply for child support, you may also request the other parent share in the
Child support | California Courts | Self Help Guide
Form FL-300, FL-680 or 683, or DV-100. These forms mean you have a court date. A judge may make a decision about child support at that court date.
 Form FL-100, Form FL-200, Form FL-260, or Form FL-600. These are forms that start a family law case, like a divorce. You generally have 30 days to file a response to these.
If you do not respond, a judge may make a child support order without your input.
Where to get free help
The Local Child Support Agency 
The Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) makes sure the children get enough support. In some counties, their name is the Department of Child Support Services. 
They may become involved in your case if either: 

You or your child’s other parent receives cash aid for the children 

One of you asked for their help 

A lawyer from their agency will go to court for any hearings you have about child support. The LCSA is not the attorney for either parent.   
What does the LCSA do if they're part of my case? 

If they are part of your case, they:

Can help you and the other parent reach an agreement 

Must approve any agreement you make with your child’s other parent 

Can also help either parent change the child support order in court if there has been a change 

Will be in charge of collecting child support 

Free help is available in every county 
The Family Law Facilitator in your county: 

Can give you information 

Help you calculate guideline child support 

Help you fill out forms 

Tell you about the court process 

Related topics
Child support legal and government resources
How to collect child support
How to pay child support

 

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Parentage Case Introduction | California Courts | Self Help Guide
"Determining parentage" means the court makes an order saying someone is or is not the legal parent of a child or the parents sign a Voluntary Declaration form.

Why legal parentage matters
Legal parents have rights and responsibilities
A child's legal parents
Can ask for custody and visitation (parenting time) orders
Are required to financially support their child
Can be listed on a California birth certificate
A child can inherit and get financial benefits (like Social Security or survivor's benefits) from their legal parents. A child born outside the US may be able to become a US Citizen if one of the legal parents is a US Citizen.
If someone is not a legal parent, they must become one to have these same rights and responsibilities. This is called establishing parentage.
Parentage is a requirement for custody, visitation (parenting time), and support
If you are both legal parents, you can ask for custody, visitation (parenting time), and child support orders by filing a petition with the court. 
If not, you need to establish parentage so a judge can make these orders.
Different ways to determine parentage
Sign a voluntary declaration

You and the other parent can establish legal parentage for your child without going to court if you both parents sign a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (VDOP) form and file it with the state. 
This form is usually signed at a hospital when a child is born. But you can sign it later.

Once filed, the VDOP has the same effect as a court order. 
If either parent changes their mind, they have a limited time to cancel the VDOP. If you have questions, contact your local Self-Help Center before you sign the VDOP.
 

Ask the court to determine parentage

A judge can decide who a child’s legal parents are - or are not - through a parentage case or an adoption case.
You can ask your local child support agency to open a case to establish parentage and child support orders. For more information, you can get free help from the Family Law Facilitator in your county.
If you are not sure if you or someone else is the child's parent
Introducción al caso de filiación | California Courts | Self Help Guide
Introducción al caso de filiación | California Courts | Self Help Guide

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La filiación en California
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Parentage Case Introduction | California Courts | Self Help Guide
In California, only legal parents can get custody and visitation (parenting time) orders about their child. Legal parents also have a responsibility to support their child financially.
Who is a legal parent?
In general, you are a child's legal parent if

You are the child’s birth parent (not a surrogate)

You and the other parent were married or registered domestic partners when your child was born or conceived 

You and the other parent filed a Declaration that establishes you as the legal parents

A judge determined that you are a legal parent in a court case (for example, in a child support, juvenile dependency, domestic violence, or adoption case)

What about assisted reproduction and surrogacy cases? 
When a child is conceived using a sperm or egg donor or a surrogate gives birth to the child, additional steps may be needed to establish parentage. Contact your local Self-Help Center or ask an attorney for advice about your situation.

 
What if I am the legal parent, but think I should not be?
This area of law is complicated and there are strict deadlines.
For example, if you signed a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage, if you act right away, you may be able to cancel the Declaration. If there's a parentage judgment that says you are the child's legal parent, it's hard to have the judgment undone (set aside) because there are only a few reasons that allow it and strict deadlines. If you and the other parent were married and together when the child is born, it can be very complicated. Talk to a lawyer for advice.
Talk to your court's Self-Help staff or get advice from a lawyer right away. 

"Determining parentage" means the court makes an order saying someone is or is not the legal parent of a child or the parents sign a Voluntary Declaration form.

Why legal parentage matters
Legal parents have rights and responsibilities
A child's legal parents
Can ask for custody and visitation (parenting time) orders
Are required to financially support their child
Can be listed on a California birth certificate
A child can inherit and get financial benefits (like Social Security or survivor's benefits) from their legal parents.
Resources to develop a parenting plan | California Courts | Self Help Guide
If you have concerns about your child's mental or physical safety when they're with the other parent, it can be difficult to make a safe parenting plan that works. There are laws, court programs, and government agencies that may be able to help. 

Find out about supervised visitation
A judge can order that a parent only has contact with the child when a neutral third person is present during the visitation, often called “supervised visitation.”

Ask for a child custody evaluation
If you have concerns about your child's mental or physical safety when with the other parent, a judge can order a child custody evaluation. In cases where there's a serious allegation of child abuse or sexual abuse, a judge can make temporary emergency orders to protect the child until the evaluation is finished. The child custody evaluator will contact law enforcement and child protective services and make recommendations about the needs of the child and how to ensure the child’s safety.

Find out about custody laws when there's a history of domestic violence
If there's been domestic violence in your family, special laws apply when a judge makes a decision about who gets custody of your children. 

Contact child protective services to report abuse
If you suspect your child's health or safety is at risk due to abuse or neglect, contact child protective services.

General parenting resources 
Online resources for parenting children while living apart. There may also be resources in your local community, like parenting classes and support groups.

Families Change
Online guide for families going through separation and divorce. It has 3 versions – one for parents, one for children, and one for teens and pre-teens. 

Changeville
An interactive website for children, to help them learn about what to expect and how to deal with their feelings and emotions during their parents’ separation.

Finances after separation
An online guide to help parents make financial decisions after their separation.

Parenting classes
Contact your court's Family Court Services to find out if they have a list of suggested parenting classes in your area. 

Sesame Street Toolkits for Parents
Toolkit for parents dealing with divorce, including how to help your children adjust to two homes. Other toolkits include coping when a parent or loved one is incarcerated.