California · Family Code

FAM §5700.211: (a) A tribunal of this state issuing a spousal-support order consistent with the law of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the spousal-support order throughout the existence o

What this law says, in plain English

A state tribunal issuing a spousal-support order has ongoing, exclusive authority to modify that order while it remains in effect.

Read the full statutory text
(a) A tribunal of this state issuing a spousal-support order consistent with the law of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the spousal-support order throughout the existence of the support obligation. (b) A tribunal of this state may not modify a spousal-support order issued by a tribunal of another state or a foreign country having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over that order under the law of that state or foreign country. (c) A tribunal of this state that has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal-support order may serve as: (1) an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce the spousal-support order issued in this state; or (2) a responding tribunal to enforce or modify its own spousal-support order.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.