The Family Support Division is responsible for establishing
and enforcing child support obligations within the county. In cooperation with
the state Division of Child Support (DCS), we accept referrals for the
establishment of parentage and we review and modify support orders meeting
state criteria. The division also enforces support obligations through civil
contempt proceedings and appears in privately filed domestic relations cases to
address the state’s financial interest when public assistance has been paid on
behalf of a child. Three attorneys and five staff members make up the Family
Support Division.
To ask for child support services you must first apply through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. DCS will refer the case to the Prosecutor's Office, if appropriate. We are the attorney for the state, and do not represent any other party to the case. To request a review of your child support order for modification, click here: Order Modification.
If you are filing your own case with the court and a child to the case is receiving or has previously received cash public assistance (TANF) or state medical benefits, notice of the case must be given to the Prosecutor's Family Support Division at 730 Prospect Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366.
The
regular and reliable receipt of child support is an important component in the
effort to reduce poverty, move families toward self-sufficiency, and alleviate
the taxpayer burden. We continue to work with DCS to discover ways to improve
child support participation rates and explore strategies that emphasize the
regularity of child support payments while recognizing that parents have other
legal obligations.
Click here for our office location.
