The family law court may order either or both parents to pay an amount of child support that is necessary for the child's support. Child Support is determined according to a guideline formula defined by the California Family Law Code. The amount of child support that is ordered is dependent upon various factors. Among the factors are: the parties disposable incomes, the approximate time that parties have physical responsibility for the child(ren), the number of other children supported, costs of child care, health care expenses and whether there are extraordinary expenses associated with the child(ren). Other factors may be considered by a court. As a general rule, practitioners like us and family law judges utilize computer software to determine the actual child support amount due to the other parent.

Generally, child support payments are intended for the necessities of life of the minor child(ren). This includes, but is not limited to, assisting the other parent in providing food, shelter, medical attendance, or other remedial care for the child(ren).

Child support amounts may be modified at any time until the child(ren) attains the age of 18 and no longer in high school or is 19 and still in high school. Failure to comply with a child support order may result in a Contempt action. A common misconception is that if the parent with the child support payment does not have visitation with the child(ren), the paying parent is relieved of his/her obligation to pay child support. This is inaccurate. The duty to pay child support continues until the order is modified by a court of proper jurisdiction.