Updated August 2026
Spousal Support in Los Angeles County, California
A plain-language guide to spousal support in Los Angeles County, from how temporary and long-term support are calculated to the forms you file at the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles and how to prepare your paperwork without hiring an attorney.
In Los Angeles County, you ask for spousal support by filing a Request for Order (Form FL-300) with the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, in your existing divorce, legal separation, or parentage case. The court can set temporary support while the case is pending. Later, it can decide long term spousal support when the case is ready to be resolved. Los Angeles runs the largest family court system in the state. The family law courthouse that hears your spousal support request generally depends on where you live.
For temporary spousal support, Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rule 5.10 states that the court may use the guideline developed in Santa Clara County to determine the proper amount. This Santa Clara guideline is a mathematical calculation based on both spouses' incomes. It is a starting point, not a fixed rule, so a judge can adjust the result based on the facts of the case.
Long term spousal support, the kind a judge weighs once a case moves toward trial or final judgment, works differently. Instead of using a formula, California Family Code section 4320 lists the factors a judge must consider. These include the marital standard of living, each spouse's earning capacity, the length of the marriage, the age and health of each spouse, and the supported spouse's ability to become self supporting. This statewide standard applies the same way in Los Angeles County as in every other California county.
Anyone requesting spousal support in Los Angeles County must complete Form FL-150, the Income and Expense Declaration. Both the temporary support guideline and the Family Code 4320 factors depend on accurate income information. The county's Family Law Facilitator's Office and Self-Help Resource Center offer free help with these forms and general procedure for people representing themselves. Staff cannot give legal advice about how a judge will rule.
Where spousal support cases are heard in Los Angeles County
Spousal support matters in Los Angeles County are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, with the county seat in Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County designates twelve courthouses for family law filings. A spousal support request is generally heard wherever the underlying divorce, parentage, or legal separation case is filed and assigned. It does not go to a separate specialized courthouse for support. Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles is the largest of these locations, with others including Long Beach, Pomona South, Pasadena, Torrance, Van Nuys East, and Chatsworth. Use the Superior Court's online Court Locator to confirm which courthouse covers your ZIP code before you file your Request for Order.
Since November 15, 2021, Local Rule 5.6 has required attorney-represented parties in family law cases to file documents electronically through an approved electronic filing service provider. Self-represented litigants are exempt from this requirement and may still file on paper. They can choose to e-file as well. The court's website keeps the current list of approved providers for family law cases.
Under Local Rule 5.23, the Family Law Facilitator's duties include meeting with litigants to help resolve child support, spousal support, and health insurance issues. The facilitator may draft stipulations when both sides agree, prepare support schedules, and prepare formal orders in cases where both parties are self-represented. Cases where one or both parties are self-represented get priority for these services.
Official spousal support resources in Los Angeles County
Stanley Mosk Courthouse handles spousal-support filings, located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles 90012. Phone: (213) 974-5191. Other family law courthouses (11 additional locations) at varies by ZIP code, including Long Beach, Pomona South, Pasadena, Torrance, Van Nuys East, and Chatsworth handles Family law filings, including Requests for Order for spousal support, for litigants whose case is assigned to that district. Use the Superior Court's online Court Locator to confirm which of the county's twelve family law courthouses covers your address before filing..
E-filing is available through https://www.lacourt.ca.gov/pages/lp/efiling/cp/e-filing-service-providers. Since November 15, 2021, Local Rule 5.6 has required attorney-represented parties in family law cases to e-file through one of the court's approved electronic filing service providers (EFSPs). Self-represented litigants are exempt and may file on paper.
LA Superior Court Self-Help Resource Center and Family Law Facilitator's Office (https://www.lacourt.org/laselfhelp/UI/index.aspx?model=1) can help with procedure and paperwork. Offers free help for self-represented litigants with family law forms, including the FL-150 Income and Expense Declaration used for support requests, and general procedural questions. Staff cannot give legal advice about the outcome of a case. Local Rule 5.10 (Temporary Spousal Support) applies; see https://lascpubstorage.blob.core.windows.net/cts-webgrouppublic/LIBSVCJES/CourtRules/Master/LascCourtRules_CH5.pdf. Local Rule 5.6 (Electronic Filing) applies; see https://lascpubstorage.blob.core.windows.net/cts-webgrouppublic/LIBSVCJES/CourtRules/Master/LascCourtRules_CH5.pdf. Local Rule 5.23 (Duties of Family Law Facilitator) applies; see https://lascpubstorage.blob.core.windows.net/cts-webgrouppublic/LIBSVCJES/CourtRules/Master/LascCourtRules_CH5.pdf.
- LA Superior Court Local Rules, Chapter 5, Family Division (PDF)
- LA Superior Court Self-Help Resource Center
- Approved Electronic Filing Service Providers
- Judicial Council Form FL-150, Income and Expense Declaration
- 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.
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Los Angeles County Spousal Support FAQs
Where do I file for spousal support in Los Angeles County?
You file a Request for Order (Form FL-300) with the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, in your existing divorce, parentage, or legal separation case. The county operates twelve family law courthouses. Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles is the largest, and the courthouse that hears your request depends on where your case is assigned. Use the court's online Court Locator to confirm the correct location before filing.
What formula does Los Angeles County use for temporary spousal support?
Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rule 5.10 allows the court to use the guideline developed in Santa Clara County when setting temporary spousal support. This Santa Clara guideline calculates a figure from both spouses' incomes. It is a starting point rather than a binding formula, and a judge can adjust the amount based on the specific facts of the case.
Who can help me fill out spousal support paperwork in Los Angeles County?
The LA Superior Court's Family Law Facilitator's Office and Self-Help Resource Center provide free help with Form FL-150, the Income and Expense Declaration, and other spousal support paperwork for people representing themselves. Under Local Rule 5.23, the facilitator can also prepare support schedules and, when both sides are self-represented, draft formal orders. Staff cannot give legal advice.
Is electronic filing required for a spousal support request in Los Angeles County?
Only for attorney-represented litigants. Local Rule 5.6 has required electronic filing of family law documents for parties represented by counsel since November 15, 2021, through one of the court's approved electronic filing service providers. Self-represented parties are exempt and may file their Request for Order on paper if they prefer.
How is long term spousal support decided in Los Angeles County?
Long term spousal support is not set by a formula. Under California Family Code section 4320, a judge weighs factors that apply the same way in Los Angeles County as statewide. These include the marital standard of living, each spouse's earning capacity and age and health, the length of the marriage, and the supported spouse's ability to become self supporting.
Does it cost anything to request spousal support in Los Angeles County?
Opening a California divorce, parentage, or legal separation case generally costs $435 to $450 in filing fees, and Form FW-001 is available to request a fee waiver if you cannot afford it. A Request for Order filed later inside an already-open case may carry an additional fee. Confirm the current fee schedule with the courthouse clerk before you file.
This page is general information about California spousal support procedure in Los Angeles County, not legal advice for your situation. Amounts and duration depend on your specific facts and the judge's discretion; nothing here predicts an outcome in your case. Court locations, forms, and filing details change; always confirm current details with the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles or the official California self-help center resources. Virdix is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney.
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