If you are going through a divorce, you will wonder how child support is calculated and what factors will affect the amount. In this blog post, we will explain how California calculates child support during the divorce process.
California Child Support Guideline
Child support is the money that one parent pays to the other parent to help cover the costs of raising their children. Child support is usually ordered by a court based on a formula called the California Child Support Guideline.
The guideline takes into account several factors, such as the income of both parents, the amount of time each parent spends with the children, and the number of children. California family law judges also factor in the tax filing status of each parent, the health insurance and childcare expenses of each parent and any special needs or circumstances of the children.
Fair and adequate support
The guideline is designed to ensure that children receive a fair and adequate amount of support from both parents and that the support is consistent with the parents’ ability to pay.
The guideline also aims to minimize conflicts and litigation between parents over child support issues.
To estimate how much child support you may have to pay or receive, you can use the California Child Support Guideline Calculator. This online tool is based on the same legal guidelines used in California courts and can give you an approximate amount of child support that may be ordered in your case.
The judge is the ultimate decision maker
However, keep in mind that the calculator is not a substitute for legal advice and that the final authority to determine the amount of child support lies with the county child support commissioner or family law judge. The child support order may be issued as part of the divorce process or as a separate case.
The takeaway
Child support is an important issue that affects both parents and children during and after a divorce. By understanding how California calculates child support and following the steps of the divorce process, you can ensure that your children receive the financial support they need and deserve.
