Spousal Support in Kings County, California

If you are seeking spousal support in Kings County, California, requests are filed and heard in the Superior Court of California, County of Kings. The court handles family law matters at its Hanford courthouse on Kings County Drive. Spousal support, sometimes called alimony, can be requested as part of a divorce or legal separation, or on its own using a Request for Order (FL-300). The same statewide Judicial Council forms apply no matter which California county a person files in.

California divides spousal support into two types that work differently. Temporary spousal support is set while a case is still pending, before judgment. Kings County follows Local Rule 716, which adopts what the court calls the "Kings County Superior Court Guidelines," a schedule calculated using certified support-calculation software designated in the California Rules of Court. The rule says this schedule is subject to change. Confirm the exact inputs and results with the court or the self-help center. Do not rely on an earlier case or a different county.

Long-term spousal support, the kind a judge orders at the end of a case, is not set by any formula or software. Instead, California Family Code section 4320 lists the factors a judge must weigh, including each spouse's earning capacity, the marital standard of living, the length of the marriage, age and health, and other circumstances specific to the case. This statewide standard applies the same way in Kings County as it does anywhere else in California. It governs the final support order, not the temporary order used while a case is open.

People representing themselves in a Kings County spousal support matter can get help completing the required Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) and related paperwork through the Kings County Self-Help Center at the Hanford courthouse. Staff there work with divorce, support, and other family law forms during posted hours. They cannot give legal advice or represent anyone in court.

Where spousal support cases are heard in Kings County

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

Kings County's family law matters, including spousal support requests, are centered at the Hanford courthouse at 1640 Kings County Drive. They are not split across the county's other court locations. Filers from Lemoore, Corcoran, or Avenal should plan travel time to Hanford for hearings and self-help appointments. They should also confirm with the clerk whether any family law functions are available closer to home.

Electronic filing has been mandatory in the Civil Division at Kings County Superior Court, which includes family law, since July 1, 2021. Filings can be submitted through the court's approved e-filing service providers connected to the statewide Odyssey eFileCA system. Self-represented parties are exempt from the mandatory e-filing requirement under California Rules of Court, rule 2.253, so paper filing at the Hanford courthouse remains an option for someone filing on their own.

Local Rule 716 does not publicly name the specific calculation software behind the "Kings County Superior Court Guidelines." The local rules also do not identify one dedicated department for non-DCSS spousal support Request for Order hearings. Anyone with a pending spousal support matter should confirm current hearing procedures, department assignment, and the guideline schedule in use directly with the Kings County Self-Help Center or the clerk's office before a hearing date.

Official spousal support resources in Kings County

Kings Superior Court handles spousal-support filings, located at 1640 Kings County Drive, Hanford 93230. Phone: (559) 582-1010.

The filing fee is $435. E-filing is available through https://www.kings.courts.ca.gov/attorney-resources/e-filing-service-providers. Electronic filing is mandatory in the Civil Division (which includes family law) as of July 1, 2021, through approved e-filing service providers connected to the Odyssey eFileCA system. Self-represented parties are exempt from the mandatory e-filing requirement under California Rules of Court, rule 2.253(b)(2), and may still file on paper.

Kings County Self-Help Center (https://www.kings.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Hanford courthouse. Assists with divorce, support modification, and Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) paperwork by walk-in, appointment, phone, or email. Staff do not give legal advice or represent anyone in court. Local Rule 716 (Adoption of Schedule for Temporary Spousal Support Awards) applies; see https://www.kings.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/kingscountylocalrules_01-01-26_final_updated-1.pdf. Local Rule 717 (Income and Expense Declaration/Financial Statement) applies; see https://www.kings.courts.ca.gov/system/files/local-rules/kingscountylocalrules_01-01-26_final_updated-1.pdf.

• Kings County Superior Court home
• Kings County Self-Help Center
• Kings County Family Court Services
• Kings County Local Rules (PDF)
• Kings County e-Filing Service Providers

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

Kings County Spousal Support FAQs