Spousal Support in Concord and Contra Costa County, California

Temporary spousal support in Contra Costa County is requested through the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. The court calculates it with a guideline formula adopted by local rule. If you ask for spousal support in a divorce or by a standalone Request for Order, your paperwork goes to the Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Center at 751 Pine Street in Martinez, the county seat.

Contra Costa's local rules do not spell out a separate temporary support formula. Local Rule 5.15 says the court shall use the formula in the local rules of the Superior Court of Alameda County, specifically Alameda's Local Rule 5.70, as its discretionary guideline for temporary spousal or partner support in marital and domestic partnership dissolution cases. In practice, support calculation software runs the guideline at a hearing or settlement conference, using the income figures each spouse reports.

Temporary spousal support is not the same as long-term spousal support decided at the end of a case. The guideline formula in Local Rule 5.15 is for short-term, pendente lite support while the case is pending. It is based mostly on the difference between the spouses' incomes. For long-term spousal support after judgment, the judge weighs the factors in Family Code section 4320. That statewide standard applies in Contra Costa County and throughout California.

You will need a current Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150) from both spouses. The guideline calculation uses those income figures directly. The Family Law Facilitator's Office at the Spinetta Family Law Center can help you complete that form and explain the general process. Staff cannot advise you about the amount to expect in your specific case.

Where spousal support cases are heard in Contra Costa County

Spousal support matters in Contra Costa County are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa, with the county seat in Martinez. Because courthouse locations, hours, and local procedures change over time, use the official California Courts court finder to confirm current details for your case:

Find the Contra Costa County Superior Court (official California Courts finder)

How spousal support works in California

California distinguishes between temporary spousal support, ordered while a case is pending, and long-term spousal support, ordered at judgment. For temporary support, many counties, including some large ones, have adopted a local guideline formula (commonly run through software like DissoMaster or XSpouse) that produces a presumptive number; other counties leave temporary support to the judge's discretion without a local formula.

Long-term spousal support, by contrast, has no formula anywhere in California. A judge weighs the factors in Family Code section 4320, including each spouse's earning capacity, the marital standard of living, the length of the marriage, and the supported spouse's ability to become self-supporting. Spousal support is requested with a Request for Order (Form FL-300) and an Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150), inside a divorce or legal separation case.

Local notes for Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County uses the Alameda formula by reference instead of writing its own temporary support formula. That means the calculation method comes from Alameda County Superior Court's Local Rule 5.70. Contra Costa's own Local Rule 5.15 also lets the court adjust the formula in domestic partnership cases to account for different state and federal tax treatment.

The Family Law Facilitator's Office offers drop-in help in the lobby at 751 Pine Street in Martinez. It also offers scheduled appointments and LiveChat Tuesday through Friday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Staff help with forms like FL-150 and general procedure for child and spousal support matters. Like other California self-help offices, they cannot tell you what a judge is likely to order.

The court accepts electronic filing for family law matters through the statewide Odyssey system. Filing methods and office hours can change. Confirm the current filing procedure and any drop box or mail-in options directly with the court before you submit paperwork for a spousal support request.

Official spousal support resources in Contra Costa County

Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Center handles spousal-support filings, located at 751 Pine Street, Martinez 94553. Phone: 925-608-1000.

The filing fee is $435. E-filing is available through https://contracosta.courts.ca.gov/online-services/court-e-filing-services. The court accepts electronic filing for family law and Department of Child Support Services cases through the statewide Odyssey system. Confirm current filing options directly with the court before submitting by mail or in person.

Family Law Facilitator's Office, Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa (https://contracosta.courts.ca.gov/self-help/family-law-facilitator) can help with procedure and paperwork. Located in the Spinetta Family Law building at 751 Pine Street in Martinez. Offers drop-in assistance in the Martinez lobby, scheduled appointments, and LiveChat (Tuesday through Friday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm) for help with child support, spousal support, custody, and related paperwork, including Form FL-150. Staff cannot give legal advice. Local Rule 5.15 (Temporary Spousal or Partner Support) applies; see https://contracosta.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/july-2026-local-rules-final_0.pdf. Local Rule 5.14 (Family Law Facilitator) applies; see https://contracosta.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/july-2026-local-rules-final_0.pdf.

• Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa: Local Rules of Court
• Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Center
• Family Law Facilitator (Self-Help)
• Court E-Filing Services
• California Family Code Section 4320

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

Contra Costa County Spousal Support FAQs