I’m afraid my ex will hurt me or the kids if I ask for your help. What should I do?

You are protected by law – California Child Support Services will never release your personal information to the other parent in your case without a court order. However, some documents that contain your personal information may be filed with the court. If you have domestic violence concerns, be sure to tell your caseworker.

Please email [e-mail] for a list of domestic violence shelters and resources in your area. California Child Support Services is required by law to send child support case information to the federal government. In an interstate case, that information will be released to child support agencies in other states.

However, if you are a victim of family violence a “non-disclosure order” can prevent the sharing of your personal information to the other parties involved. To protect this information, you must fill out the Family Violence Questionnaire and send it to the child support agency handling your case – but you must have been granted a restraining order or “good cause exception” from cooperation. If you don’t have a restraining order or good cause exception and are still concerned for your safety and the safety of your children, you can get your own non-disclosure order through the courts. Contact your attorney of the Family Law Facilitator in your county for help.