Financial support for your children is one of the most important practical arrangements that you need to make as a divorcing parent. At the law firm of J. Hector Moreno, Jr. & Associates, we know that the California Child Support Guidelines can be complex and sometimes confusing. However, they are in place so that the court can determine a child support amount that will be sufficient to your children’s needs without imposing an undue hardship on you.
An important factor that the court uses to make a child support determination is your income. The court will consider income from all sources, including workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, Social Security, interest and dividends, as well as wages and tips. However, some deductions also apply, which can include union dues, taxes, health premiums, retirement contributions and costs of raising children from another relationship.
Nevertheless, income is only one of several factors that the court takes into consideration when making a child support determination. In addition to your income, the court will also take your ex-spouse’s income into consideration, as well as the costs of expenses for the children’s benefit, such as health insurance and day care. The court will also look at the amount of time that both you and your ex-spouse spend with the children. The number of children you have with your ex-spouse makes a difference as well.
Furthermore, the Child Support Guidelines are not set in stone. You may have special circumstances that could adjust the amount up or down. More information about child support is available on our website.
