Divorce and Family Law
Child Support
Our fourth district court of appeals has stated that "In calculating child support, the state's top priority is the interests of children." California law provides that a parent who has a minor child living with him or her has a right to collect child support from the parent who lives outside the child's home.
As most people know, this obligation to pay support is required even if the parents were never married, and even if the father is not named on the child's birth certificate. The key factors the Court takes into consideration when calculating child support are each parent's gross monthly income and the amount of time the paying parent spends with the child. Once an order is established, that order is subject to modification at least until the child reaches the age of 18. Whenever there is a change in any of the child support factors, this is a basis for returning to Court to modify the order. Examples of such changes include the parent paying support receiving raise or losing their job.
The Court, and most family law attorneys, have a computer program that calculates the correct amount of child support. If you are receiving or paying child support, or needing to establish an initial support order, it is important to make sure that the correct amount is paid.
Quick Contact
