Get Answers to Some of the Most Common Questions About Child Support
Posted on: December 16, 2020
One of the hardest parts of settling a divorce is agreeing on child custody and child support. It is normal to have questions about the process and to not be sure what is in store for you. The best way to get answers to your specific questions is to request a free consultation with a family law attorney. In the meantime, you can keep reading to get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
What is the Purpose of Child Support?
In the state of California, child support is the amount of money that a parent (or both) must pay for raising their child each month. The judge decides how much the amount is based on state-wide guidelines. It seems like a simple process on the surface, but these cases can become very complicated for a number of reasons.
When Does Child Support End?
When a child turns 18 years old and has graduated from high school, or turns 19, or when they marry, die, or are legally free in another way (such as joining an arm of the United States military), then child support is no longer required. In the event that a child is disabled, the court will consider that on a case by case basis and might order both parents to continue supporting that child if said child is not able to support themselves.
What Do Judges Consider When Determining Child Support?
When a judge is determining how much child support each parent owes, they will start by looking at the income by using an Income and Expense declaration form that each parent will fill out. Both parents must fill it out honestly and can be charged with perjury if they are not honest. The judge will then use the information on that form to determine support.
The judge will be looking closely at the net disposal income for each parent. This refers to a parent’s income after taxes, health premiums, any spousal or child support they are paying elsewhere, mandatory union dues, mandatory retirement contributions, and costs of raising other children. The court will consider all sources of income including wages, self-employment earnings, unemployment benefits, disability, and any other source of income.
Do You Have More Questions About Child Support in California?
While we have done our best to answer some of the most common questions we get about child support, the truth is that every situation is different. No matter what your situation is, if you need child support from your child’s other parent, or you are being asked to pay child support that you do not think is fair, then you should contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 now for a free legal consultation.
