Addressing four common California child support questions

Children deserve financial support from both parents. Child support laws prioritize balancing the financial capabilities of parents and the child’s needs, but most parents still have concerns.

Learning how the system works in California can help alleviate some of your concerns by filling gaps in your knowledge. Here are answers to questions many parents ask about child support.

How is child support calculated?

California uses a formula to calculate child support amounts, factoring in both parents’ income, the number of children and the percentage of time each parent spends with the child(ren). The formula also considers additional expenses to facilitate fair and comprehensive calculations.

What expenses can child support address?

It covers essential costs like food, housing and clothing. Beyond these basics, it can also address health care costs, school expenses, daycare, extracurricular activities and even travel expenses related to visitation. The goal is to maintain the child’s standard of living as much as possible.

How long does a parent have to pay child support?

In typical cases, child support obligations last until the child turns 18. If they are still in high school at age 18, support continues until they graduate or turn 19, whichever comes first. However, for disabled and other special needs children, child support may extend further.

Does the amount of time spent with the child affect support?

Yes. Since California considers the percentage of time a parent spends with the child, this can have a substantial impact on calculations. For instance, if a noncustodial parent spends a lot of time with the child, their support payments may be lower, as parenting costs are shared more directly.

If the answers you seek were not addressed here, reach out to a legal professional to learn more.