San Bernardino Superior Court - Child Support Division

Dealing with child support issues in the San Bernardino Superior Court system can be both emotionally challenging and legally complicated.

Whether you're a parent establishing a child support order, a paying parent contesting an inflated income calculation, or someone seeking to modify an existing order due to unforeseen financial changes, understanding the local court system is crucial.

Eisner Gorin LLP does not represent clients in family law matters. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We recommend that you contact a local family law attorney.

Strategic Representation in San Bernardino Child Support Disputes

Decisions about child support in California are based on a clear, standardized mathematical formula known as the California Guideline Calculation, rather than relying solely on a judge's discretion.

While the software handles the calculations, the accuracy of the results heavily relies on the quality of the financial and logistical data provided. Our firm provides a thorough legal strategy to address the critical factors influencing this process.

• Gross Income Disputes: A lawyer will carefully audit tax returns, paycheck stubs, corporate filings, and 1099 records for independent contractors to ensure that both parents' true income is accurately represented.

• Imputation of Income: If a parent deliberately remains unemployed or underemployed to manipulate support obligations, we request the court to "impute" income by considering their earning capacity, work history, and local job prospects.

• Timeshare (Visitation) Percentages: The precise percentage of time a child spends in the primary custody or physical care of each parent directly affects the final monthly support amount. We make sure your actual visitation history aligns with the data submitted to the court.

• Hardship Deductions & Mandatory Add-Ons: A lawyer will advocate for lawful deductions related to necessary expenses—such as support obligations for children from other relationships, extraordinary healthcare costs, or mandatory union dues—and will ensure that child care expenses or educational travel are appropriately divided.

Understanding Court Locations and Enforcement Systems

In San Bernardino County, child support cases are managed by specific courthouse divisions and administrative offices, depending on the case type and local regions.

Local Judicial Infrastructure

The central judicial processing location for non-governmental and specific family court matters is located at the Historic Courthouse:

Child Support Division of the San Bernardino District

Historic Courthouse

351 North Arrowhead Avenue, Second Floor

San Bernardino, CA 92415-0245

Clerk's Office Phone: (909) 269-8789

Local Government Enforcement: Title IV-D & DCSS Cases

If your case involves a child support order requested or enforced directly by the government (known as a Title IV-D case), or if a parent is receiving public assistance (such as CalWORKs), the San Bernardino County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) will be involved in the case.

DCSS aims to establish legal parentage, manage genetic testing, and enforce payment arrangements.

Hearings are often conducted by a specialized Child Support Commissioner instead of a regular Family Law Judge. The agency has regional administrative centers nationwide where parents can attend interviews or submit testing.

DCSS Office Location	Regional Focus	Available Services
Loma Linda Office 10417 Mountain View Avenue Loma Linda, CA 92354	Central Valley / Redlands Area	Full Case Intake, Administrative Reviews, Walk-In Genetic Testing
Ontario Office 191 N. Vineyard Ave. Ontario, CA 91764	West Valley / Inland Empire West	Full Case Intake, Scheduled Enforcement Interviews, Mid-Week Genetic Testing
Victorville Office 15400 Civic Drive Victorville, CA 92392	High Desert Jurisdictions	Full Case Intake, Localized Modification Reviews, Weekly Genetic Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the court's legal child support obligation naturally expire?

In California, child support usually terminates when the child reaches 18. However, if the child is a full-time high school student residing at home, the support obligation automatically continues until they graduate or turn 19, whichever happens first.

Can I stop paying child support if the other parent refuses visitation?

Child support and visitation are considered separate legal matters. You cannot withhold support as a punishment for a parent who violates a custody agreement. If visitation is being denied, the correct legal step is to file a custody enforcement motion with the court.

How do I modify my current San Bernardino child support order?

You need to demonstrate a "material change in circumstances" since the previous order. This can include losing a job, a significant change in either parent's income, or a major change in physical custody percentages. Keep in mind that modifications are not retroactive and only take effect from the date you officially file.

Consult a San Bernardino Family Law Advocate

Don't let administrative calculation errors or incomplete financial disclosures determine your financial future or jeopardize your child's well-being. Seek legal guidance from professionals familiar with the detailed procedures of the San Bernardino Superior Court child support system.