Spousal Support in Bakersfield and Kern County, California

If you ask for spousal support in Kern County, the Superior Court of California, County of Kern hears your case through the Family Law Division at the Metro Justice Building in downtown Bakersfield. Spousal support is sometimes called alimony. You may request it in an open divorce or legal separation case. You may also ask later with a Request for Order (FL-300) if one spouse's income or the other spouse's needs change.

California treats spousal support in two different stages. Temporary spousal support applies while a divorce or legal separation case is still open. Kern County has a local rule for this stage. Local Rule 6.19 says the court may use the Santa Clara Guidelines when setting temporary spousal support. The Santa Clara Guidelines use each spouse's income in the calculation. The word "may" means the guideline is optional. It is a tool for the judge, not a required formula. The judge still reviews the facts of the case before setting the amount.

Long term spousal support works differently. This is the support a judge considers at the end of a case or well after a long marriage. It is not calculated with any formula anywhere in California, including Kern County. Instead, the judge weighs the factors in Family Code section 4320. Those factors cover each spouse's earning capacity, the length of the marriage, age and health, and the standard of living during the marriage. Kern County's local rules do not add extra factors beyond section 4320. The statewide statute controls.

At either stage, the same statewide Judicial Council forms are used. One key form is the Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150). Both spouses fill it out so the court has income information. Kern County's Family Law Facilitator's Office and Self-Help Center are both at the Metro Justice Building. They help self-represented people with forms and court procedure.

Where spousal support cases are heard in Kern County

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

Kern County covers a large area, from the Bakersfield metro area to communities like Delano, Wasco, Shafter, and the high desert around Ridgecrest. The county's Family Law Division, Self-Help Center, and Family Law Facilitator's Office are all at the Metro Justice Building, 1215 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield. If you live outside the Bakersfield area, check with the court before you go in person. Confirm which location handles your filing, because hours and services can change.

The Family Law Facilitator's Office can help you complete the FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration and other support forms. It can also review documents for completeness before they go to the judge. Facilitator staff are not attorneys. Your communication with them is not confidential, and talking with them does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Self-Help Center handles a wider range of family law filings, including requests to start or modify spousal support. Both offices use appointments or scheduled services instead of simple walk-in service, so call ahead before you make the trip.

Kern County Superior Court requires e-filing in family law cases for parties who have an attorney. People who represent themselves are encouraged to e-file, but they do not have to. If you file spousal support papers on paper, plan to use the Family Law Division's Bakersfield location. Bring copies. The clerk's office generally will not return originals unless you provide conformed copies.

Official spousal support resources in Kern County

Superior Court of California, County of Kern, Family Law Division (Metro Justice Building) handles spousal-support filings, located at 1215 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield 93301. Phone: (661) 610-6400.

The filing fee is $435 to $450. E-filing is available through https://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/online-services/e-file/e-filing. E-filing is mandatory in Family Law cases for parties represented by an attorney. Self-represented parties are not required to e-file but are encouraged to. The court's e-filing information page links to the approved e-filing portal and providers.

Kern County Superior Court Self-Help Center (https://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Located at 1215 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield. Helps self-represented people start a divorce or legal separation and request or modify child custody, child support, and spousal support. Appointment based. Call 661-610-6518 to confirm current hours and how to schedule. Local Rule 6.19 (Temporary Spousal Support) applies; see https://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/local-rules-court-effective-july-1-2025.pdf.

• Kern County Superior Court, Family Law Division
• Kern County Local Rules of Court (PDF, see Local Rule 6.19)
• Kern County Self-Help Center
• Kern County Family Law Facilitator's Office
• Kern County Superior Court E-Filing Information
• California Courts: Temporary Spousal Support Self-Help Guide

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

Kern County Spousal Support FAQs