Updated August 2026
Spousal Support in Napa County, California
A plain-language guide to spousal support in Napa County, from how temporary and long-term support are calculated to the forms you file at the Superior Court of California, County of Napa and how to prepare your paperwork without hiring an attorney.
If you need spousal support in Napa County, California, you file your request with the Superior Court of California, County of Napa. The court handles these cases at the Historic Courthouse on Brown Street in the city of Napa. You can ask for spousal support in a divorce or legal separation. You can also ask on its own by filing a Request for Order (FL-300). The same statewide Judicial Council forms are used in Napa County and in every other California county.
California has two types of spousal support. Temporary spousal support can be ordered while the case is pending. In Napa County, Local Rule 7.11(B) uses the Santa Clara formula to calculate that amount. Under the local rules effective January 1, 2026, the court applies that formula through the xSpouse computer program. Before that date, the same rule named the DissoMaster program. Court information may not update everywhere at the same time. If you have a pending request, confirm with the self-help center or clerk which program and figures the court will use for your hearing.
Long-term spousal support is ordered when a case reaches judgment. It is not set by a formula or software program. A judge must weigh the factors in California Family Code section 4320. These include each spouse's earning capacity, the marital standard of living, the length of the marriage, and the age and health of both parties. This statewide rule applies in Napa County the same way it applies throughout California.
If you are handling a Napa County spousal support matter without a lawyer, you can get help from the Napa Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator's Office at the Historic Courthouse. Staff can help you complete the Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150) and run guideline support calculations. They offer in-person, phone, email, and Zoom appointments. They cannot give legal advice or appear in court for you.
Where spousal support cases are heard in Napa County
Spousal support matters in Napa County are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Napa, with the county seat in Napa. 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 Napa 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 Napa County
Napa County handles family law filings and hearings, including spousal support matters, at the Historic Courthouse at 825 Brown Street in the city of Napa. The court phone number is (707) 299-1130. Mediation services have a separate line at (707) 299-1240. If you live in American Canyon, St. Helena, or Calistoga, plan travel time to the county seat for hearings and self-help appointments.
Family law documents in Napa County can be filed electronically. The court also has a drop box at its facilities until 5:00 p.m. for same-day filings. This can help if an in-person filing window has closed. The court's published pages did not confirm whether e-filing is required for family law cases or only optional. If you plan to file on paper, check current requirements with the clerk first.
Napa's local rules changed the named support-calculation software from DissoMaster to xSpouse effective January 1, 2026. As of this writing, the self-help center's public description had not yet been updated to match. If you are requesting temporary spousal support, ask the self-help center which program and worksheet the court is currently using before your hearing. Do not rely on either source alone.
Official spousal support resources in Napa County
Napa County Superior Court, Historic Courthouse handles spousal-support filings, located at 825 Brown Street, Napa 94559. Phone: (707) 299-1130.
The filing fee is $435. E-filing is available through https://www.napa.courts.ca.gov/online-services/guide-file. Family law documents can be electronically filed through the court's e-filing options. A drop box for same-day filings is also available at court facilities until 5:00 p.m. It was not confirmed whether e-filing is mandatory in family law cases in Napa County; confirm with the clerk.
Napa Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator's Office (https://www.napa.courts.ca.gov/self-help) can help with procedure and paperwork. Located at the Historic Courthouse, 825 Brown Street, Lower Level, Napa, CA 94559, phone (707) 299-1137, email selfhelp@napa.courts.ca.gov. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with in-person, phone, email, and Zoom video options. Helps complete forms and calculate guideline child and temporary spousal support figures. Staff do not give legal advice, are not a party's attorney, and will assist the other side if asked. Local Rule 7.11(B) (Requirements in Financial Matters - Child and Temporary Spousal Support Guidelines) applies; see https://www.napa.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/local-rules-effective-january-1-2026.pdf.
- Napa County Superior Court home
- Napa Self-Help Center
- Napa County Family Division
- Napa County Local Rules (PDF)
- Napa County Family Law Filing
Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.
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Napa County Spousal Support FAQs
Where do I file for spousal support in Napa County?
File spousal support requests in Napa County with the Superior Court of California, County of Napa, at the Historic Courthouse, 825 Brown Street, Napa, CA 94559, phone (707) 299-1130. Family law documents can be filed electronically. A same-day drop box is also available at court facilities until 5:00 p.m.
Does Napa County use a specific formula for temporary spousal support?
Yes. Local Rule 7.11(B) tells the court to use the Santa Clara formula for temporary spousal support. Under the rule effective January 1, 2026, the formula runs through the xSpouse computer program. xSpouse replaced the DissoMaster program named in the prior version of the rule. Confirm with the self-help center which program is currently being used for your case.
How is long-term spousal support decided in Napa County?
Long-term spousal support is ordered at the end of a case. It is not calculated by a formula or software program. A judge applies the factors in California Family Code section 4320, including each spouse's earning capacity, the marital standard of living, the length of the marriage, and age and health. This statewide standard governs long-term support in Napa County the same as anywhere in California.
Can I get help with my Income and Expense Declaration in Napa County?
Yes. The Napa Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator's Office at the Historic Courthouse can help you complete the Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150). It can also run guideline child and temporary spousal support calculations. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., by phone, email, Zoom, or in person. Staff cannot give legal advice.
Can I e-file a spousal support Request for Order in Napa County?
Family law documents in Napa County can be filed electronically. The court also has a physical drop box at its facilities until 5:00 p.m. for same-day filings. The court's published pages did not confirm whether electronic filing is required for family law cases or only optional. Check current filing requirements with the clerk before filing.
Which courthouse handles spousal support hearings in Napa County?
Spousal support hearings in Napa County are handled by the Family Division at the Historic Courthouse, 825 Brown Street, Napa, CA 94559, phone (707) 299-1130. A specific department number for these hearings outside of Department of Child Support Services enforcement matters was not published. Confirm the assigned department with the clerk after a hearing date is set.
This page is general information about California spousal support procedure in Napa 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 Napa 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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