San Diego Child Support Attorney

Helping Parents Understand Child Support in California

In California, child support payments are determined by detailed and nuanced guidelines. For example, the guidelines consider the incomes of both parents and the time each parent spends with the children. However, people often have options within these guidelines. As family law specialists, it is our role to help people know and understand their options.

Family Law San Diego has handled child support issues since 1990. Our San Diego child support attorney understands that while many view the law as making child support a cut-and-dry matter, there are still many points that your ex-spouse may dispute. For example, divorcing couples often disagree about what income should be included in child support calculations — income like overtime and bonuses. As a result, reaching an agreement may require a judge's ruling.

Our Child Support Lawyers serving San Diego County Are Here to Help Make Sure You Receive a Ruling That Accurately Represents Your Situation. Call (619) 577-4900 today or Fill Out Our Online Contact Form to Schedule a Free Consultation. Let Us Empower You With Multiple Options.

How does California calculate child support?

According to the state of California, child support has more specific and mathematical elements under the Child Support Guideline. Therefore, we are providing simplified information on how the Child Support Guideline calculates child support to help reduce the stress involved in the divorce or separation process.

The first step in calculating child support, under the Child Support Guideline in California, is to calculate each parent’s “net disposable income.” Under the Child Support Guideline, the court calculates the amount of child support to be paid by considering four variables:

Variable One

Under the Child Support Guideline in the state of CA, the court will inquire about the father’s net income, which includes money from all sources, regardless of whether the type of money is reported under state or federal law as “taxable income.” Net disposable income is similar in concept to “take-home pay.” Understand that the court calculates this amount somewhat differently than an employer typically calculates for payroll deductions; however, many of the deductions do overlap.

The court will begin calculating the amount of child support under the Child Support Guideline by starting with the father’s total income. This figure is reached by adding the numbers from a variety of sources. Examples of income include wages from a job, tips, commissions, bonuses, unemployment benefits, pensions, interest, dividends, and rental income.

Once this figure is identified, certain items will be deducted from the father’s income, such as taxes, mandatory union dues, mandatory retirement contributions, health premiums, and costs of raising a child after a divorce or separation, to name a few.

The remaining amount is considered the father’s net disposable income. Variable One of calculating child support under the Child Support Guideline in the state of CA is done.

Variable Two

Variable Two in calculating child support under the Child Support Guideline is determining the mother’s net disposable income. We use the same method as with the father.

Variable Three

Variable Three in calculating child support under the Child Support Guideline involves the judge inquiring about each parent’s federal tax filing status. There are four possible statuses: single, head of household, married filing separately, and married filing jointly.

Clients commonly ask if there are benefits to filing with a certain status. Head of household status may provide certain advantages, including lower taxes. To qualify for this filing status, the parent must be either divorced or married, but filing separately. The parent must also be separated from his or her spouse for at least 6 months and have at least one child living with him or her for more than 50 percent of the time. Parents who have never been married and who have a child or children for more than 50 percent of the time can also qualify to file as head of household.

If custody is literally 50-50, technically neither parent can file as head of household. When two or more children are involved, it could save tax money for both parents to create a child custody order in which one parent has just over 50 percent physical custody for one child and just under 50 percent physical custody for the other child. The benefit of this is that each parent can then claim as head of household which may, depending on the parent’s income amount, reduce the amount of money paid to the government as a result of exclusions, deductions, and/or credits.

Variable Four

The final variable in calculating child support under the Child Support Guideline in California is the “timeshare” or the percentage of time the child spends with each parent. In plain terms, the more time the child spends with the parent considered the “lower-time parent,” or the parent with a lower percentage of physical custody. As a result, the court will order less child support. The court may investigate to confirm that the motivation for spending more time with the child is in the child’s best interests and not primarily with the parent’s intent to obtain or avoid paying child support.

If you are using an online calculator to obtain an approximate estimate of child support under the Child Support Guideline in California, keep in mind that, depending on the calculator used and the figures entered, results may vary. Only the court can determine the actual amount that will need to be paid; the online calculators are simply a tool to provide a “ballpark figure.”

At What Age Does Child Support Stop in California?

In California, child support payments must be made until the child reaches the age of 18. However, they can continue until the age of 19 if the child is still in high school full time, living at home, and unable to support him or herself.

How Long Can You Go Without Paying Child Support in California?

According to California law, you must a pay child support order until your child turns 18 or 19 if the child is not married and still attending high school full time. However, the court may order child support to continue under particular circumstances after the child is an adult.

Is There a Maximum Amount of Child Support in California?

There is no maximum amount of child support payments in the state of California. As mentioned above, the amount is calculated based on income, custody time, and a few additional factors.

Do You Pay Child Support With Joint Custody in California?

If parents share joint child custody, the California court may consider the income and earning potential of both parents, then require that the parent with the higher income pay child support. However, if both parents have similar income and equal physical child custody, it is possible that they may not be required to pay child support. Our child custody attorney in San Diego County can help you determine whether you will need to pay child support based on the facts of child custody cases.

Child Support Modification in San Diego County

Usually, a change in income gives rise to the need for change in child support. This change, however, does not happen automatically. If a parent loses his or her job or receives a substantial change in income, a motion must be filed.

At Family Law San Diego, our experienced child support lawyers can assist you with modifying your child support order in San Diego County. Life circumstances can change, and it is important to ensure that your child support arrangement accurately reflects your current situation.

Some common reasons for seeking a child support modification include:

• Job loss or change in employment
• Significant increase or decrease in income
• Changes in the child's needs or expenses
• Change in custody or visitation arrangements
• Relocation or change in living situation

Our dedicated team will guide you through the modification process, helping you gather the necessary documentation and presenting a strong case to the court. We understand the complexities of California child support laws and will work diligently to protect your rights and ensure a fair outcome.

It is wise for parents to do this as soon as possible - before child support payments become overdue. They can begin by calling Family Law San Diego at (619) 577-4900. Our child support lawyers in San Diego County can help you navigate this situation as quickly and effectively as possible.

Contact Our Child Support Lawyers Serving San Digeo County Today

Family Law San Diego is dedicated to one thing: helping families move through intense and often difficult changes smoothly and effectively. To that end, our child support lawyers have a policy about response time—we return all of our calls and emails within 1 business day. Prospective and current clients can count on our San Diego child support lawyers for open and frequent communication, every single time.

Contact Us Online or Call (619) 577-4900 to Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Child Support Lawyers in the San Diego Area.

Helpful Resources

• San Diego County Child Support Services
• California Courts - Self Help Center - Child Support