Article 1. Definitions of California Family Law Code >> Division 9. >> Part 5. >> Chapter 8. >> Article 1.

Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, the definitions in this article govern the construction of this chapter.

"Arrearage" or "arrearages" is the amount necessary to satisfy a support judgment or order pursuant to Section 695.210 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

"Assignment order" has the same meaning as "earnings assignment order for support."

"Due date of support payments" is the date specifically stated in the order of support or, if no date is stated in the support order, the last day of the month in which the support payment is to be paid.

"Earnings," to the extent that they are subject to an earnings assignment order for support under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 703.010) of Division 2 of Title 9 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, include:
  (a) Wages, salary, bonus, money, and benefits described in Sections 704.110, 704.113, and 704.115 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
  (b) Payments due for services of independent contractors, interest, dividends, rents, royalties, residuals, patent rights, or mineral or other natural resource rights.
  (c) Payments or credits due or becoming due as a result of written or oral contracts for services or sales whether denominated as wages, salary, commission, bonus, or otherwise.
  (d) Payments due for workers' compensation temporary disability benefits.
  (e) Payments due as a result of disability from benefits described in Section 704.130 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
  (f) Any other payments or credits due or becoming due, regardless of source.

(a) "Earnings assignment order for support" means an order that assigns to an obligee a portion of the earnings of a support obligor due or to become due in the future.
  (b) Commencing January 1, 2000, all earnings assignment orders for support in any action in which child support or family support is ordered shall be issued on an "order/notice to withhold income for child support" mandated by Section 666 of Title 42 of the United States Code.

"Employer" includes all of the following:
  (a) A person for whom an individual performs services as an employee, as defined in Section 706.011 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
  (b) The United States government and any public entity as defined in Section 811.2 of the Government Code.
  (c) Any person or entity paying earnings as defined under Section 5206.

"IV-D Case" means any case being established, modified, or enforced by the local child support agency pursuant to Section 654 of Title 42 of the United States Code (Section 454 of the Social Security Act).

"Obligee" or "assigned obligee" means either the person to whom support has been ordered to be paid, the local child support agency, or other person designated by the court to receive the payment. The local child support agency is the obligee for all Title IV-D cases as defined under Section 5212 or in which an application for services has been filed under Part D (commencing with Section 651) and Part E (commencing with Section 670) of Subchapter IV of Chapter 7 of Title 42 of the United States Code (Title IV-D or IV-E of the Social Security Act).

"Obligor" means a person owing a duty of support.

"Timely payment" means receipt of support payments by the obligee or assigned obligee within five days of the due date.