FL-480 is a California family court form used to create an official, enforceable record of a support judgment—typically child support, spousal support, or partner support—so that it can be recorded as a lien against the debtor’s real property. When support arrears are owed, filing an FL-480 allows the supported party or the Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) to record the judgment with the county recorder. This action places a lien on the debtor’s home or land, ensuring that the support owed must be paid before the property can be refinanced, sold, or transferred.

The form summarizes the essential information from the support judgment, including the total arrears, interest owed, and identifying information for the debtor. Once recorded, FL-480 becomes a public record that notifies lenders, buyers, and title companies that a support debt exists. This makes it a powerful enforcement tool, because it prevents the debtor from benefiting from property transactions until the judgment is satisfied. In some situations, the lien may even allow the supported party to collect from the sale proceeds.

FL-480 is especially useful in cases where wage garnishment or other enforcement methods have not resulted in full payment of arrears. Support judgments accrue interest automatically under California law, often causing debts to grow over time. By recording the judgment, the supported party secures their right to collect and preserves the enforceability of the support order, even many years later. The lien remains until the judgment is fully paid and a release of lien is filed.

The form is also used in governmental cases where the LCSA is enforcing support. Government agencies frequently record support liens to protect the right of the child or supported parent to receive the money owed. FL-480 ensures that the recorded lien complies with legal requirements and contains all necessary information for accurate indexing by the county recorder.

In summary, FL-480 is a critical enforcement form that turns a support judgment into a lien against real property, increasing the likelihood that overdue support will eventually be paid. It provides a formal, recorded notice of the debt, protects the supported party’s financial rights, and ensures the support judgment remains enforceable during property transactions. When completed and recorded properly, FL-480 is one of the strongest tools available for collecting unpaid support.