California Child Support Attorneys
Seek the Support You and Your Family Needs
- Home
- Law Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Child Support
What is Child Support?
Child support is a monthly sum of money paid by one parent to the other for the support and maintenance of a minor child(ren). Child support payments can also include “add-ons” which are either mandatory or discretionary for the court to order. Mandatory child support add-ons include child care expenses and uncovered medical costs incurred on behalf of the child—these are usually shared equally by the parents. Discretionary child support add-ons can include private school costs and extracurricular activities.
Areas of Family Law
How Are Child Support Payments Calculated?
According to California child support laws, courts are required to make guideline support orders. The guideline amount is determined by a formula that factors in the number of minor children, each party’s time share with each child, the income of the parties, and each party’s tax filing status and deductions.
Helping Parents Resolve Child Support Matters
When the parents can provide the information needed for the child support calculation and agree on the inputs for the formula, guideline child support can be easily calculated by an experienced child support lawyer. Parents are often able to reach agreements on child support since the court is mandated to order the guideline amount.
FAQ
- Q: When does child support end?
- A: In California, child support payments normally continue until the child reaches 18 years of age or graduates high school, whichever is later. In the cases of children with disabilities that prevent them from becoming self-supporting adults at age 18, child support payments could continue into adulthood.
FAQ
A: Some of the factors which go into the child support calculation include:
- Custody time share arrangement
- Number of children being supported
- Income
- Retirement contributions
- Work-related expenses
- Taxes
- Health care expenses for the child
FAQ
- Q: Can I make a child support modification?
- A: Child support orders are not fixed, and can be modified by the courts based on a change in circumstances or new information. If there is a change to one of the factors used to calculate the previous guideline child support order, child support will be modified.
Blog
Bill and Melinda Gates' Divorce: Long-Term Marriage and Business Interests
| June 1, 2021
As shocking as the news may have been, it is no secret that Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates have announced the ending of their approximately..
Can I Request an Increase in Spousal Support Post-Judgement?
| May 27, 2021
At long last, your divorce is OVER. You received a large amount of funds through trial or settlement. You were also awarded spousal support to be..
FAQs for Military Servicemembers Going Through Divorce
| May 25, 2021
Divorce and all its related issues—child and spousal support, child custody and visitation, division of assets and obligations, retirement—is..
Testimonials
"I will never be able to thank you enough for the help and support! You are a true angel, sent to help my girls and me when we needed it the most."
-
Former clients share their experience
"Michele defies all the stigmas attached to family law attorneys. Her integrity, pragmatic approach to problem-solving, and ardent commitment to her clients are only a few of the qualities that have prompted me to retain her services on more than one occasion."
-
Former clients share their experience
"Thank you for your guidance and support during the most difficult time of our lives. Your efforts ensured that we have a guaranteed relationship with our grandchildren, and time to heal."
-
Former clients share their experience
Receive Your Free, Confidential Consultation
Meet with our Client Intake Specialist to discuss your unique family law case so we can help you take the next step forward.
