California Code, Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC § 18511

If the spouse, parent, or adult child of any recipient of relief is financially able to contribute to the support of the recipient, such relative is liable to reimburse the state and county for relief granted to the recipient to the extent of his financial ability so to do.

The board of supervisors of the county granting relief shall determine if the spouse, parent, or adult child has financial ability to support or contribute to the support of the recipient and was pecuniarily able to support or contribute to the support of the recipient during the time relief was provided to him. If, in the opinion of the board of supervisors, pecuniary ability existed when the relief was granted, and exists when the matter comes before the board of supervisors, the board shall request the district attorney or other civil legal officer of the county granting the relief to proceed against such responsible relative or relatives.

Upon such request, the district attorney or other civil legal officer shall maintain an action on behalf of the county granting relief against the relative or relatives to recover for the county the relief granted and to secure an order requiring the payment of any sums which may become due in the future.

All money collected by the county under the provisions of this section shall be credited to the state and the county in the proportion that each contributed to the relief granted.