CALIFORNIA CODES
CALIFORNIA FAMILY CODE
Division 9. SUPPORT
Part 1. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Current through 2012
§ 3557.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, absent good cause to the contrary, the court, upon (1) determining an ability to pay and (2) consideration of the respective incomes and needs of the parties in order to ensure that each party has access to legal representation to preserve all of the party's rights, shall award reasonable attorney's fees to any of the following persons:
(1) A custodial parent or other person to whom payments should be made in any action to enforce any of the following:
(A) An existing order for child support.
(B) A penalty incurred pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 4720) of Part 5 of Division 9.
(2) A supported spouse in an action to enforce an existing order for spousal support.
(b) This section shall not be construed to allow an award of attorney's fees to or against a governmental entity.