How to calculate and end child support payment in California

Behind every child’s growth and development are parents who show unwavering support. In the wake of a divorce, it is crucial for that parental support to remain unshaken, if not only stronger.

Under California law, divorcing parents must maintain financial responsibility for their child’s needs. But if they cannot agree on the terms of how they want to share the onus to provide for their child, they can request the court for a child support order.

Calculating child support

There is no precise formula for how the state’s courts calculate an amount for the paying parent. Instead, they estimate by looking at relevant factors. Aside from the quality of parent-child relationships and the child’s mental and physical conditions, courts also consider both parents’ financial information:

• Tax returns
• Current earning capacity
• Health insurance policies
• Retirement contributions

The parental duty to pay child support generally ends the moment a child turns 18 or finishes high school, or whichever comes first. The payments also potentially stop upon the child’s death, marriage, entry into the military service and involvement in a domestic partnership. Child support termination is also possible if the child self-emancipates, willfully leaving home and seeking economic independence.

Unconditional support

Your love for your child is not quantifiable by any amount. But divorce usually requires technical procedures to secure your child’s future. As you focus on preserving a healthy connection with your child, your legal representative can evaluate your circumstances to help you make well-informed decisions.