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Los Angeles Child Support Lawyer

What Factors Determine Child Support in California?

Many factors are considered when determining the amount of child support payments, including both parent’s economic circumstances, the needs of the child and how many children there are. In most situations, the non-custodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent because it is assumed that by maintaining custody they already contribute considerable resources to the support of the child. Child support is typically provided until a child reaches the age of 18, unless the court directs otherwise.

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Both parents have an obligation to provide financial support to their minor children and in situations of divorce or separation child support arrangements must be determined. Whether a child is natural, adopted, born during marriage or to a couple that decided not to marry, the child is owed a statutory duty of support.

Child support is used to cover the basic costs of raising the child, and its uses include, but are not limited to:

Food
Shelter
Education
Medical care
Clothing

How is Child Support Calculated in California?

When child support is being calculated in California, the main factor that is taken into consideration is what will be in the child's best interests. There is also a formula that is utilized to determine the amount of child support that will be given, although it can be difficult to understand. While the calculations that go into figuring the amount out can be complex, understanding the input that goes into the formula is easier to understand.

The components used to determine the amount of child support include:

The number of children
The amount of custody each parent has
The parents' gross income
Certain deductions that may be allowed from gross income

What is the Minimum Child Support in LA?

The minimum child support in Los Angeles is $100 per month. This amount is based on the California Child Support Guidelines, last updated in 2021. The Guidelines consider both parents' income, the number of children, and the amount of time each parent spends with the child.

There are a few exceptions to the minimum child support amount. For example, the court may order less child support if the non-custodial parent has a meager income. Additionally, the court may order more child support if the non-custodial parent has a high income.

If you are concerned about how many children support you are being ordered to pay, you should speak to a child support attorney.

An attorney can help you understand the Guidelines and represent you in court if necessary. The California Child Support Guidelines are a set of rules that courts use to determine how much child support one parent should pay the other. The Guidelines consider both parents' income, the number of children, and the amount of time each parent spends with the child. The minimum child support amount is $100 per month.

However, the court may order a higher or lower amount of child support, depending on the case's specific circumstances.

For example, the court may order less child support if the non-custodial parent has a meager income. Additionally, the court may order more child support if the non-custodial parent has a high income. If you are concerned about how many children support you are being ordered to pay, you should speak to an attorney. An attorney can help you understand the Guidelines and represent you in court if necessary.

Gross income includes common sources such as earnings, rent, investments, pensions, trust income, annuities, workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, Social Security, disability insurance, and spousal support from a previous marriage. In addition to the amount of income that an individual actually receives, the court may take into consideration the amount that the person has the ability and opportunity to earn. Despite factors such as gross income, the court may determine that it is in the child's best interest for the parent to spend more time with them, rather than accepting a high-paying job.

Child support can be a complicated topic to address, and here at Claery & Green, we are committed to helping our clients resolve their family law matters in a manner that is as efficient as possible.

Get Child Support Legal Counsel From Claery & Hammond, LLP Today

At Claery & Hammond, LLP our family attorneys represent individuals and families in types of child support cases. Founding partner Lance Claery and attorney Eli Hammond represent both custodial parents who are seeking support and noncustodial parents who believe they are being taken advantage of by their former partners.

If you are a custodial parent seeking financial support from the other parent to cover things like education, food, shelter and medical expenditures, or are trying to get a reduction in the amount of child support you pay due to a change in employment status, a family attorney at our firm can assist you and protect your rights.

The Los Angeles divorce attorneys at Claery & Hammond, LLP can do a great deal to help you with child support actions. We work hard to get our clients the results they need. Our firm can help you gather and file the necessary paperwork and advocate on your behalf at your child support hearing. It's important that you contact us as soon as possible to learn how we can help with your support case.

If you are dealing with a child support issue, call Claery & Hammond, LLP at (310) 817-6904 or fill out a free case evaluation form today!