Child Support

Child support is determined by a Guideline formula set forth in the California Family Code and is most often calculated by a computer program. The formula was just updated in September 2024 and takes into account several factors, including the gross income of each party (which might be complicated to determine, especially for those parents who are self-employed or receive significant employment benefits), time spent with the children, the cost of health care, tax filing status and certain additional tax deductions or expenses. Deviations from guideline child support may be appropriate in certain circumstances. Since the time that a child spends in a given parent’s home is part of the calculation, child support can be a major issue in divorces, parentage actions and even post judgment, since, when financial or custodial circumstances change, child support can change. This can occur multiple times until a child is no longer eligible to receive that support.

Child support can be determined outside of court. We use the same child support calculator as the court system. In court, with a few exceptions, a judge must order Guideline support. Through Mediation, Collaborative, or Negotiation, parents can decide how to best meet the needs of the children and their family. An attorney can provide legal guidance and advice through this process. Our office is familiar with the various child support factors, including “add-ons,” such as childcare and unreimbursed health care expenses. We can identify the child support factors relevant to your case, provide advice on those factors (provided we are not serving as a neutral mediator) and also run various support scenarios so you an idea of what to expect for child support, whether you are paying support or receiving support.