Child Support in Inyo County, California

Inyo County has two courthouses about forty miles apart on Highway 395: the Bishop Courthouse at 301 West Line Street and the Independence Courthouse at 168 North Edwards Street in the county seat. The court's website does not say which one handles each child support filing, so call the Bishop location at 760-872-3038 before choosing where to drive.

The Inyo County Local Child Support Agency is separate from both courthouses. Its office is at 1360 N. Main Street, Suite 238 in Bishop. For Inyo cases, it handles parentage establishment and guideline calculations. It also collects or enforces support payments directly, without sharing staff with a neighboring county.

Child support calculations in Inyo use the same statewide rule, Family Code section 4055. The formula is based on each parent's net income and the custody split. The free calculator at childsupport.ca.gov can give you a reasonable estimate before you decide which courthouse to file at. After that, you can file a Request for Order (FL-300) with an Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) at the courthouse assigned to your matter. You can also ask the local agency to open a case.

An eFiling option appears on Inyo's online services page. The exact vendor and procedure have not been independently confirmed, so check with the clerk before you rely on it instead of filing in person.

How child support is calculated in California

California sets child support with a statewide uniform guideline (Family Code section 4055) that applies the same way in Inyo County as everywhere else. The formula is based mainly on two things:

1. Both parents' net disposable incomes.
2. The percentage of time the child spends with each parent (the timeshare).

The guideline amount is presumed to be correct, and courts use a calculator to run the numbers. Because the result depends on accurate income, the Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150) you file is what drives your number.

Where child support cases are handled in Inyo County

Child support in Inyo County is handled through the Superior Court of California, County of Inyo, and the county's Local Child Support Agency, which is part of the California Department of Child Support Services. There are two common paths:

1. Either parent files a Request for Order (Form FL-300) with an Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150) inside a divorce, parentage, or custody case.
2. The Local Child Support Agency opens a case to establish, collect, and enforce support, often at no cost to the parents.

Because courthouse and local agency office details change over time, confirm current details using the official California Courts court finder:

Find the Inyo County Superior Court (official California Courts finder)

Local notes for Inyo County

Bishop and Independence are far enough apart that a wrong stop can cost real time. Inyo County also stretches a long way along the Eastern Sierra. Call ahead to confirm which courthouse your hearing or filing belongs at before you make the drive. Bishop is the larger town and also has the child support agency office, so it may be the more practical stop for many matters.

The self-help center, at inyo.courts.ca.gov/self-help/self-help-center, can help self-represented parents identify the right forms. It can't advise you on the likely result in your specific case, and exact hours aren't posted online. The court's site also does not confirm if a commissioner or judge usually hears support matters in Inyo, so ask when you check in.

Inyo covers a lot of ground, from the Owens Valley up toward Mono County. Mail and fax may be worth asking about for a routine filing, especially if you live closer to one town but your case is assigned to the courthouse in the other.

Official child support resources in Inyo County

Superior Court of California, County of Inyo (Bishop Courthouse) handles child-support filings, located at 301 West Line Street, Bishop 93514. Phone: 760-872-3038. Independence Courthouse at 168 North Edwards Street handles the county seat courthouse; call ahead to confirm which location handles a given family law matter.

E-filing is available. The court's online services page lists an eFiling option; confirm the current vendor and procedure with the clerk.

Inyo County Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator (https://www.inyo.courts.ca.gov/self-help/self-help-center) can help with procedure and paperwork. Helps self-represented parents with forms and procedure; cannot give legal advice for your situation.

• Superior Court of California, County of Inyo (Bishop Courthouse)
• Inyo County Self-Help / Family Law Facilitator
• Inyo County Local Child Support Agency
• California Guideline Child Support Calculator
• Form FL-300 Request for Order
• Form FW-001 Request to Waive Court Fees

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Inyo County Child Support FAQs