Spousal Support in Fresno County, California

You request spousal support in Fresno County through the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno. You file the papers, and the hearing is held, at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse in downtown Fresno. This is true for temporary support during a pending divorce and for long-term support decided at judgment.

Fresno County's local rules do not name a special formula for temporary spousal support, unlike some California counties. The rules focus on documents. Rule 5.4.2 requires a current Income and Expense Declaration (Form FL-150) whenever spousal support is at issue. Rule 5.7 requires a declaration that addresses each factor in Family Code section 4320 in any settlement conference statement that asks for spousal support. In practice, Fresno County sets temporary support with the same kind of guideline calculation used statewide, based largely on both spouses' incomes. The county's rules do not name a specific formula or software program.

Long-term spousal support is support decided after judgment, not while the case is pending. In Fresno County, it is decided the same way as in the rest of California, using the factors in Family Code section 4320. A judge considers the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, each spouse's age and health, and the standard of living established during the marriage, along with other factors, before setting a long-term amount.

For help with forms, you can contact the Office of the Family Law Facilitator at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse. The office helps with spousal support cases. It can help you choose and complete forms, prepare motions to establish, modify, or terminate spousal support, and provide draft support calculations based on statutory guidelines. These services are free.

Where spousal support cases are heard in Fresno County

Spousal support matters in Fresno County are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno, with the county seat in Fresno. 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 Fresno 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 Fresno County

Fresno County is large, but family law is handled in one courthouse. Spousal support requests are filed and heard at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street in Fresno. This includes a Request for Order (Form FL-300) in an existing case and spousal support requested as part of a divorce. The same building houses Family Court Services, the Family Law Facilitator's Office, and the Self-Help Center.

The Family Law Facilitator's Office clearly lists the spousal support help it can provide. It can prepare motions and orders to show cause to establish, modify, or terminate spousal support. It can also provide draft support calculations based on statutory guidelines. It cannot act as your attorney, attend a hearing with you, or represent either spouse's interests. It serves both parties as a neutral resource.

Represented parties generally must file and serve family law documents electronically. Self-represented parties are encouraged to e-file, but they do not have to. Fresno County's local rules also require an Income and Expense Declaration and a Family Code section 4320 declaration with any settlement conference statement if spousal support or attorney's fees are requested. Start gathering complete income records early, no matter how you plan to file.

Official spousal support resources in Fresno County

B.F. Sisk Courthouse handles spousal-support filings, located at 1130 O Street, Fresno 93721. Phone: 559-457-2000.

The filing fee is $435. E-filing is available through https://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov/online-services/efile. Documents filed by represented parties in family law actions must be filed electronically through an approved electronic filing service provider (EFSP); self-represented parties are encouraged but not required to e-file. The Family Law Department's e-filing contact is family.efile@fresno.courts.ca.gov.

Office of the Family Law Facilitator, Superior Court of California, County of Fresno (https://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov/divisions/family-law/facilitators-office) can help with procedure and paperwork. Based at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, Fresno. Assists self-represented litigants with child and spousal support cases at no charge, including selecting and completing forms and providing draft calculations of support amounts based on statutory guidelines. Also offers a Self-Help Center in English and Spanish. Staff cannot give legal advice or attend a hearing with you. Rule 5.4.2 (Income and Expense Declarations/Financial Statements) applies; see https://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/july-2026-master-printing-document.pdf. Rule 5.7 (Settlement Conferences (requires a Family Code section 4320 declaration when spousal support is at issue)) applies; see https://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/july-2026-master-printing-document.pdf.

• Superior Court of California, County of Fresno: Local Rules
• Superior Court of California, County of Fresno: Family Law
• Office of the Family Law Facilitator (Fresno Superior Court)
• eFile Resources (Fresno Superior Court)
• 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.

Fresno County Spousal Support FAQs