The Real Cost of Free

Should You Use Child Support Services or a Lawyer in California?

Last Modified by Morgan Branford on June 29, 2025

If you're navigating life as a separated or single parent in California, you may be asking:

“Is going through Child Support Services the easiest and best way to get child support?”

Many parents aren’t sure whether to work with California’s Child Support Services or hire a private family lawyer. The truth? Both paths have their strengths and drawbacks — and depending on your situation, one might be a better fit.

But those aren’t your only choices.

Some parents choose not to go through the state or a lawyer at all. They set up informal child support and custody arrangements between themselves. If they communicate well and have mutual respect, it can work. In fact, the mere threat of involving a lawyer or the state can sometimes motivate both parties to cooperate better.

But that route depends entirely on both parents being honest, fair, and consistent — and unfortunately, that’s not always how it plays out.

When things do go wrong, when trust fades, or when financial stress builds, having a structured, accurate, and enforceable child support order can make all the difference.

What This Post Covers:

• What California Child Support Services (DCSS) actually does
• How long their process typically takes
• How they compare to hiring a lawyer
• When you might want to avoid using Child Support Services
• Real-world thoughts on working outside the system

TL;DR – Quick Answer

Yes, California’s Child Support Services can help you get a child support order — for free. But the process can be slow, and their job is to serve the state interest, primarily to keep kids off social services, not to benefit you personally. If your situation is time-sensitive, high-conflict, or financially complex, hiring a private lawyer (or a tax expert) may be a better option.

What Does California Child Support Services Actually Do?

California’s DCSS operates through 47 Local Child Support Agencies (LCSAs), covering nearly every county. These agencies help with:

• Opening and managing child support cases
• Filing and serving legal paperwork
• Establishing paternity if needed
• Modifying or enforcing support orders
• Tracking and recording payments
• Coordinating wage garnishment and intercepting tax refunds

Important: Child Support Services does not represent either parent. They aren’t your lawyer. Their role is administrative and neutral — ensuring that support is paid according to the law.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Here’s a rough timeline when going through DCSS:

Delays are common, especially if the other parent is self-employed, out of state, or disputes their income.

How Fast Is It With a Private Attorney?

Hiring a private lawyer moves the process forward much faster, especially if you:

• Already know where the other parent lives
• Have custody mostly worked out
• Need quick financial relief

Most attorneys can file quickly, schedule a court date within 30–45 days, and get orders in place within 1 to 2 months. But speed comes at a cost: expect to pay probably $400/hr, and thousands in retainers, with total costs easily exceeding over $10,000 for a full case, depending on the complexity of your case.

Why Might Families Choose Not to Use Child Support Services?

1. They Need Fast Relief

Child Support Services has volume. Lots of cases, limited resources. If your rent is due or you can’t buy groceries, waiting 6 months may not cut it.

2. Their Finances Are Complicated

If one parent owns a business or gets paid under the table, DCSS often won’t dig too deep. Lawyers, on the other hand, can subpoena documents, investigate assets, and push harder for accurate numbers.

An accurate and up-to-date support calculation is vital. And because support is based on taxable income, working with someone who understands taxes — not just the law — can change the outcome dramatically. Sometimes that difference means your kid eats well… or it’s ketchup and mustard sandwiches for dinner.

3. They Also Need Custody Orders

DCSS doesn’t touch custody or visitation. That’s a separate court track. If you need a parenting plan and support, a lawyer can usually handle both in one motion — saving time and keeping everything aligned.

4. They’re in a High-Conflict or Unsafe Situation

DCSS won’t advocate for you if there’s domestic violence or emotional manipulation. They can’t file restraining orders. They won’t argue for supervised visitation. A private lawyer can step in and protect your child — and you — from harm.

5. They Want Legal Advice

Child Support Services can explain the process, but they can’t tell you what’s best for your unique situation. They aren’t allowed to give legal advice. You’re essentially navigating a legal system alone unless you bring in your own professional help.

Morgan Branford

Tax Professional and Family Finance Writer

Learn more about Morgan on the author page or connect on Linkedin.