Frequently Asked Questions

Our office does not handle custody and/or visitation matters. Please visit the Nevada City Courthouse's website at nevada.courts.ca.gov/self-help for more information on our local Family Law Facilitator who can assist with these matters.

You may also visit their office in person at:

 201 Church Street, Suite 9 (1st floor)

Nevada City, CA 95959

Truckee Walk-In Services

Walk-ins from 9am to 12pm and appointments in the afternoon are offered on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. 

Sierra County

Please visit the Sierra County Courthouse's website at sierra.courts.ca.gov/self-help for more information. You may also call the Court Clerk at 530-289-3698 weekdays between 9am - 4pm for instructions on how to contact the Court's Self-Help Attorney / Family Law Facilitator for an appointment. 

What To Do

If you don't understand why you were served or what the paperwork means, please contact our office. You can call 866-901-3212 or come into our office Monday through Friday between 8am and 5pm- no appointment necessary. There might be time sensitive paperwork you need to fill out and return to our office. So don't delay; call or come in right away!

Family Law Facilitator

You may take the papers you received to the Family Law Facilitator. They can explain the documents and help you take the next step, but they cannot give you legal advice and they do not represent you. You may visit their office in person at 201 Church Street, Suite 9 (1st floor), Nevada City CA 95959. You may also visit their website at nevada.courts.ca.gov/self-help.

Summons & Complaint

If you were served with a Summons and Complaint and you disagree with the amount of child support requested in the proposed order, contact our office. Provide your caseworker with your actual income. Your caseworker will reevaluate the amount of support.

Lab & Swabbing

Our office may be able to perform legal, court-admissible genetic testing to determine if you are the biological father. This is done by swiping 4 cotton swabs along the inside of the cheek (not a blood test). We will take samples from potential parents and the child(ren). After the samples are sent to the lab, we will contact you in about two weeks with the results. 

If you lost your Electronic Payment Card, please contact the Way2Go Customer Service Center at 844-318-0740. They are available 24/7.  

Cases can be opened either voluntarily or involuntarily. A parent or guardian can request our services voluntarily. If a child receives cash assistance with a parent or guardian, a case is opened whether or not the parent or guardian requests the case be opened.

When a child receives cash assistance, we are obligated to obtain a child support order against the parent who is not residing with the child. Even if the child lives with a parent half of the time, a case will still open if the child is receiving cash assistance with the other parent or guardian.

The parent who is required to pay child support may also open a case to receive assistance in modifying an order or to maintain an accurate accounting of all payments made.