Child support is a court-ordered obligation to ensure children have financial support from both parents and do not suffer economically because of a divorce or separation. Courts used standardized formulas to determine child support using several different factors. Such payments are an ongoing commitment that continues until a child becomes an adult.
Getting the support calculation right is essential for both parents and the child. An experienced Whittier child support lawyer can help, whether you are seeking child support or will be required to pay. Every circumstance is unique, and the Law Offices of Steven Ibarra can help you move forward with confidence. Contact us today to work with a skilled family law attorney.
Parents have legal duties to financially support their children, whether they are married, living together, separated, or divorced. To accomplish this, courts can order either parent (or both) to make monthly payments toward a child’s living and medical expenses. This monthly payment is what we call child support.
A child support obligation generally lasts until the child reaches age 18 and has graduated high school, has reached age 19, become emancipated, joined the military, or until further court order on the issue, whichever comes first. After child support is set, it could be modified in the future if certain changes occur. For example, if a higher-earning parent suffers a career setback or custody changes between parents, either party could seek a change to child support under state law.
California follows statewide guidelines for child support calculation based on the after-tax income of both parents, the amount of time each parent has physical custody of the child, and other factors. Courts will set an amount based on their application of state guidelines to the unique facts of the case. At the early stages of a case, it helps to have clear legal guidance from a Whittier child support attorney on the various factors involved and steps needed to ensure a fair child support order.
Child support calculation can seem confusing to parents going through the process for the first time. It helps to understand how support is calculated and the factors a judge will look at when setting child support. Some of the key first steps include the following.
The incomes of both parents must be assessed to get an idea of what either parent can pay in child support. Income can come from many sources, including:
Government benefits such as Social Security and unemployment may also count as income.
Courts also look at the amount of time a child spends with each parent. Parents exercising more physical custody often require more financial support from the other parent. Expenses may include childcare costs, healthcare expenses, educational costs, and more, factored into a child support calculation.
California has established guidelines and child support calculators that can offer a baseline amount for courts and parents to start from.
Understanding these factors and working with dedicated legal counsel can help you approach your child support case with knowledge and confidence. Going through separation or divorce is stressful enough on its own, and child support adds another challenging issue to the process. The most important thing to gain is a child support order that is fair to both parents and in the best interests of the child, and our Whittier attorneys can help you do so.
Child support is essential to the best interests of your child, and involves different factors when being calculated. Accuracy and fairness in child support are essential to both parents and children. To understand more about the process, contact our team to consult a Whittier child support lawyer at the Law Offices of Steven Ibarra.
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