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HomeWelfare and Institutions CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 2Art. 25§ 902 Child Support Cost Recovery

§ 902 Child Support Cost Recovery

Welfare and Institutions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 902 Child Support Cost Recovery

Key Takeaways

  • •If the county doesn't have enough money to take care of a child, the court can make the child's parents, guardian, or even the child (if they have money or a job) pay the extra cost.
  • •The money goes to the county first, and then the county pays the person or place taking care of the child.
  • •This rule doesn't apply to kids who are in trouble with the law (like on probation) unless they are also in the foster system for other reasons.

Example

A kid lives in a foster home because their parents can't take care of them. The county helps pay for their food and school stuff, but it's not enough.

The court can tell the kid's parents to pay more money to the county. The county then uses that money to help pay for the kid's needs.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 902 Child Support Cost Recovery

(a) If it is found that the maximum amount established by the board of supervisors of the county is insufficient to pay the whole expense of support and maintenance of a dependent child or other minor person, the court may order and direct that the additional amount as is necessary shall be paid out of the earnings, property, or estate of the dependent child or other minor person, or by the parents or guardian of the dependent child or other minor person, or by any other person liable for his or her support and maintenance, to the county officers designated by the board of supervisors, who shall in turn pay it to the person, association, or institution that, under court order, is caring for and maintaining the dependent child or other minor person. (b) (1) This section does not apply to a minor who is adjudged a ward of the juvenile court, who is placed on probation pursuant to Section 725, who is the subject of a petition that has been filed to adjudge the minor a ward of the juvenile court, or who is the subject of a program of supervision undertaken pursuant to Section 654. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), this section applies to a minor who is designated as a dual status child pursuant to Section 241.1, for purposes of the dependency jurisdiction only and not for purposes of the delinquency jurisdiction. (Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 678, Sec. 18. (SB 190) Effective January 1, 2018.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

probationdual status child,propertycustodyportmaintenancejurisdictionassociation

Related Statutes

  • § 282 Juvenile Placement Oversight
  • § 903.5 Parental Liability For Foster Care Costs
  • § 210.6 Juvenile Restraint Use Rules
  • § 223.2 Juvenile Court Cost Relief
  • § 224.2 Indian Child Inquiry Duty

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Welfare and Institutions Code. Section 902.
View Official Source