Child support is the amount of money the court will order one parent to pay the other parent each month for the support of a child and will generally last until a child turns 18, or until up to age 19 for a full-time high school student living at home.
Under California law, each parent has an equal responsibility for providing for the financial needs of his or her child, the specific amount of which is based on a formula calculated by a program. The child support calculation depends primarily on the income of the parents, and the amount of time the child spends with each parent.
Although the approach to calculating child support seems uniform and standard, it is essential for your attorney to know and understand the intricacies of child support calculations to achieve the most favorable outcome. Other factors which could significantly influence the child support calculation results are tax implications, health insurance premiums, mortgage interest and property taxes, earning capacity of a party, and high income earner status.
Our divorce attorneys have years of experience dealing with support matters and will ensure that all relevant factors are considered in the calculation of child support to try to obtain the most favorable support award possible for you and your family.