In California, payment of child support is incredibly important. That’s because the public policy ensures that a child is taken care of until they reach the age of 18 and complete high school. The purpose is to afford children the basic necessities of life, and allow the child to share in the standard of living of both parents.
California Guidelines
Courts primarily look at two factors: the parties’ custody time and income. This is why child support often becomes a contested matter. The parties must have a set custody schedule and correctly determine each others’ actual income.
California has established uniform guideline standards, which are primarily based on factors such as each income, percentage of custody time, tax liability, mandatory health insurance deductions, and retirement.
You can visit the California Guidelines Calculator to estimate your share based upon your circumstance. However, this formula is not the be-all, end all. In instances where a party voluntarily refuses to work or hides assets, the court can award assets or income to the opposing party.
Child support can become a hot-button issue quite quickly. That’s why it’s important to be represented by an experienced and trusted attorney that has your best interest in mind.
If you’re a parent with questions regarding your current, or potential child, support award, contact Braunstein Family Law to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego County family law attorney to evaluate your options.
Modification
Co-parenting is not a constant. A change of circumstance will likely arise as the child gets older. For example, a child begins to spend more time at the father’s house, one parent may want to relocate, or a party’s income significantly changes. All of these changes may directly correlate to the child support payments because they address timeshare and income.
Simply adjusting child support payments can cause significant legal problems. If you have questions about modifying your current child support order, contact Braunstein Family Law to set up a free consultation and evaluate your options.
