Child support in California is governed by the state’s laws and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that both parents contribute financially to the upbringing of their children after a divorce or separation. The public policy in our state is such that the child should have the same standard of living at both parents’ houses.
Calculating Child Support: The amount of child support is generally determined based on the parents’ respective incomes, the number of children involved, the amount of time each parent spends with the children, healthcare costs, and childcare costs. California uses a formula known as the “Guideline Child Support Calculator” to determine the appropriate amount of child support.
Guideline Child Support Calculator: This calculator considers various factors, including both parents’ incomes, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, tax deductions, healthcare and childcare expenses, and other relevant factors.
Mandatory Reporting of Income: Both parents are required to disclose their income and financial information accurately to calculate child support correctly. In cases where one parent owns a business, determining “income available for support” may be a bit more difficult. We may suggest hiring a family law forensic accountant to assist in cases where “income available for support” is not readily ascertainable.
Modification of Child Support: Child support orders can be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a change in income or custody arrangements.
Enforcement of Child Support: The state of California takes child support obligations seriously, and there are enforcement mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. These may include wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, suspension of driver’s licenses, and other legal actions.
Call us today for a free consultation, during which we will provide you with an overview of the law in California and offer solutions to your unique family law matter.
