Child custody and support in California
For divorcing parents in California: the legal term for custody, the parenting class, the official support calculator, custody mediation and the child support agency.
Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026
The short answer
In California, custody is called “child custody and visitation (parenting time)”. About the parenting class: No statewide class requirement; some county courts require an orientation or parenting class. California publishes an official child support calculator or guidelines.
- Custody term
- Child custody and visitation (parenting time)
- Parenting class
- Not statewide; some courts
- Child support calculator
- Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Child support agency
- California Department of Child Support Services
Custody terms in California
Child custody and visitation (parenting time)
Mediation
If parents can't agree on custody or visitation, they must meet with a court child custody mediator (child custody recommending counseling in some counties) before a judge decides. Fam. Code 3170. selfhelp.courts.ca.gov: Child custody
Parenting class in California
- No statewide class requirement; some county courts require an orientation or parenting class.
- Check your court.
Child support in California
Child support follows California's guidelines. Estimate it with the official calculator, and contact the state's child support agency for help setting up or collecting it.
Children in a California divorce: what the process includes
Custody
The court's orders use California's term for custody: child custody and visitation (parenting time).
Parenting class
Take the parenting class described above if California requires it in your case.
Mediation
If the court sends you to mediation, go to every session; the rule is above.
Child support
Estimate it first: the official calculator
The child support agency
For help setting up or collecting support, contact the state's child support agency.
Questions about custody and child support in California
What is child custody called in California?
California uses the term “child custody and visitation (parenting time)”.
Do parents have to take a class in a California divorce?
No statewide class requirement; some county courts require an orientation or parenting class. Check your court.
Is there an official child support calculator for California?
Yes. California's official calculator or guidelines: the official calculator
Which agency handles child support in California?
Is mediation required for custody in California?
If parents can't agree on custody or visitation, they must meet with a court child custody mediator (child custody recommending counseling in some counties) before a judge decides. Fam. Code 3170. selfhelp.courts.ca.gov: Child custody
More about divorce in California
- All California divorce laws
- Uncontested divorce in California
- California divorce forms and filing fees
- Alimony in California
- Serving divorce papers in California
- Divorce timeline estimator for California
- Divorce checklist for California
- How to file for divorce without a lawyer
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
Custody and support in nearby states
Sources
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.