Legal Issues How the Department of Child Support Services Handles Confidential Information By law (Family Code Section 17212 ), the records kept by our office are strictly confidential and may not be seen without a court order.  However, you are entitled to see: n      Any document you provided to the Department of Child Support Services. n      Your payment history. n      Any record legally defined as a public record. It is important to understand that the Department of Child Support Services does not represent either the parents or the child (ren) in a child support case.  We cannot: Assist with visitation and custody issues Obtain divorce decrees or represent either party in a divorce action Establish or modify spousal support orders Obtain or enforce restraining orders Rather, our staff attorneys review cases to determine what legal action is necessary to establish and enforce a child support order. Because you are not a legal client, the information you provide is not confidential under the attorney/client privilege.  Therefore, the information in your case may be discussed or disclosed to other public agencies that are authorized by law to receive such information.  Your case may also be discussed with the other parent’s employer and to the other parent or his/her attorney to the extent required by law. By law, the Department of Child Support Services has the final decision on what child support enforcement actions will be taken, even if the custodial party disagrees.  Parents have the right to seek legal advice from a private attorney or legal aid group to represent their particular interests in a case. Click here for links to online legal information . Seeking Legal Assistance Unlike the Department of Child Support Services, a private attorney can, for a fee, represent the particular interests of a parent or guardian. If the custodial party cannot afford a private attorney, the non-custodial parent may be ordered to pay reasonable attorney fees and court costs.  However, it is up to the judge to decide how much, if any, of the legal fees the non-custodial parent may be ordered to pay. If you do not have the resources to hire a private attorney, the Superior Courts of California provide an Office of the Family Law Facilitator.  The Office of the Butte County Family Law Facilitator is located at:  1931 Arlin Rhine Dr, Oroville, CA 95965  Their office hours are: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 3:00 Friday from 8:30 - 12:00 Please contact the Family Law Facilitator at (530) 532-7004 directly to confirm their office hours or to set up an appointment.  If you need assistance in completing legal forms, you should contact the Family Law Facilitator or a private attorney.  Click this link for more info: http://www.buttecourt.ca.gov/