2026 Legal College Sessions

Latest updates in the implementation of legislative and regulatory changes, policy updates, and everything in between you need to know to effectively serve the children and families of California. Because child support matters in an evolving legal and policy landscape, this session will provide attendees practical knowledge to navigate the complex systems of ever-changing Federal and State law, regulation, policy and implementation.

We will explore the latest developments shaping child support practice and unpack their real‑world impact on the families we serve. This session highlights both recent statutory changes and broader legislative trends, helping practitioners anticipate where the law is headed. Together, we’ll examine how to navigate an evolving legal landscape and identify strategies to effectively advocate for families amid ongoing change.

This fast-paced course will be an overview of topics that may have an increasing impact on our day to day case handling. Do you know how to respond when the American's With Disabilities Act becomes part of the conversation? Are we ready for AI? Have you heard about the big changes coming to some of our Judicial Council forms? Spend an hour with our knowledgeable speakers and feel more in the know about the emerging topics that could be game changers for child support professionals.

With the rapid expansion of AI technology, the number of Sovereign Citizens and their voluminous requests appear to be growing overnight. When a 30-minute Claude or ChatGPT session generates multiple requests (some relevant and some not so relevant) creating hours of work for attorneys and staff who must sift through and respond appropriately, it can quickly overwhelm even the most diligent child support employee. When faced with such a daunting task, we'll ground ourselves back in the law to navigate a way forward. This course will address the case law and statutes often cited by Sovereign Citizens and break down the what, when, where and how of responding appropriately. We'll breakdown the terminology, remove the intimidation factor of the unknown, and explore ways to prioritize and respond to what has been coined 'paper terrorism' in the sovereign citizen arena. We'll offer practical guidance on how to organize and steer these cases through our organization so that we remain compliant with regulations and requirements. Finally, join into what will likely be a lively discussion about best practices as we learn from each other on how to balance customer service with protecting our finite resources.

This course will provide child support attorneys with practical accounting knowledge to effectively review and understand the life cycle of a child support payment and the various buckets associated with child support financials. Participants will also gain a better understanding of payments in suspense, disregard payments, pass through, unreimbursed assistance pools (UAP), excess, futures, audits, and drafting court orders with financials in the mix. With these tools, attendees will have a better understanding of how to address these matters when analyzing cases for court or interacting with operational staff.

This MCLE will provide a focused review of significant family law decisions in the last 2 years that affect the management of our child support cases.  The presentation will highlight key appellate decision and emerging legal trends impacting our work.  Attendees will gain practical insight into how this recent case law influences litigation strategy, judicial interpretation, and day-to-day advocacy.  The program is designed to equip attendees with current, relevant authority to effectively represent their departments and navigate evolving family law issues.

This course provides an overview of how child support enforcement interacts with bankruptcy law and the challenges that arise when these legal interests clash. Attendees will receive a clear explanation of the various types of bankruptcy filings and how each may affect the collection and enforcement of child support obligations. The session will also explore how these issues are approached across different U.S. Bankruptcy Court Districts within California, highlighting regional perspectives. In addition, the course will address potential complications that can arise when attempting to enforce a child support when a debtor files outside of the District of California, including the risks and pitfalls practitioners should be aware of. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to navigate these intersecting legal frameworks while safeguarding child support stability.

Establishing parentage and securing personal jurisdiction are intertwined, yet each presents unique legal and procedural challenges. The speakers will guide attendees through the statutory framework, relevant case law, and long-arm jurisdiction principles governing parentage proceedings. This session will examine the common pitfalls, best practices, and strategic considerations. From the do’s and don’t’s to the nuanced issues that can make or break a case, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of these complex legal concepts and learn practical strategies for achieving legally sound outcomes for families by getting it right from the start.

Every case contains clues that can shape the outcome of child support enforcement proceedings. In this interactive workshop, participants will work together to “crack the case” by analyzing realistic hypothetical scenarios, identifying key legal and procedural issues, and developing effective advocacy strategies. Through collaborative breakout sessions, attendees will sharpen their issue-spotting and case analysis skills while exploring practical approaches to child support matters through the lens of special enforcement.

This presentation explores the role of DCSS probate enforcement, a tool that may become increasingly relevant over the next several decades in the context of the Great Transfer of Wealth, the historic transfer of trillions of dollars from the Baby Boomer generation to heirs and beneficiaries. As more estates enter probate, DCSS may encounter increased opportunities to identify estate assets, assert valid child support claims, and enforce outstanding support obligations against decedents' estates. The presentation reviews probate procedures, creditor claim requirements, asset discovery strategies, and legal considerations affecting enforcement efforts. Attendees will learn how demographic and wealth-transfer trends may influence probate caseloads, legislative advocacy, collection opportunities, and enforcement practices in the years ahead.

Bias subtly influences decision-making in ways that affect litigants, outcomes, and public trust in the child support system. This session explores the legal and ethical foundations of California's Elimination of Bias requirements while providing practical tools to identify, address, and reduce bias throughout the legal system. Participants will gain practical techniques for promoting fairness, improving communication, and building confidence in the legal process for all families served. Attorneys will receive 1 hour of Bias MCLE credit for attendance.

Looking to explore the vital role civility plays and why it matters in the legal profession? Join us to elevate your approach to civility and redefine your professional interactions. Participants will learn to shift perspectives and cultivate a culture of respect and professionalism in their interactions with customers, colleagues, and the courts. Through interactive discussions, real-life scenarios, and practical strategies, attendees will examine the impact of civility on legal outcomes and workplace dynamics. By embracing a new lens on communication and conflict resolution, attorneys will strengthen their commitment to helping families, foster stronger relationships, and contribute to a more constructive legal environment. Attorneys will receive 1 hour of Civility MCLE credit for attendance.

As Child Support Attorneys, we have the privilege of working with families to help them obtain fair and equitable child support orders. While some cases may be routine, others present complicated factual and legal issues which require us to carefully consider the Rules of Professional Conduct. In this session, we will cover several hypotheticals with the goal of deeper engagement with the Rules so that when (not if) you face your own challenging situation, you will be a little bit more prepared.