Wage withholding means taking money out of an employee’s pay before the employee receives it. The employer sends that money to a government agency or another person to satisfy an obligation, such as taxes, support, or a court judgment.

In California Family Law

Wage withholding is a common way to pay child support and spousal support. An income withholding order, also called an earnings assignment, tells the employer how much to deduct and where to send it. It can cover current support and amounts owed from missed payments.

For example, a parent who owes child support may have the ordered amount deducted from each paycheck. The employer sends the payment to the State Disbursement Unit, which passes it on to the receiving parent. The parents do not have to arrange a separate transfer each payday.

Withholding does not necessarily mean someone failed to pay. It can begin with the support order. In some situations, the court can allow another payment arrangement or put withholding on hold. The person ordered to pay remains responsible for payments due before payroll deductions begin.

California Courts explains how this works for child support and spousal support.