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Easing the tension surrounding divorce and family law issues with high-level service in a stress-free environment.

Child support: Issues California parents should keep in mind

On Behalf of | Jan 6, 2020 | Child Support |

California parents, as well as those in other states, are legally obligated to provide for their children’s needs. In many cases, especially divorce, the court will order financial support to help meet expenses for minors. Such orders typically remain in effect until the child or children in question reach age 18. There are several key issues that parents will want to keep in mind regarding child support.

It is important to remember that every state has its own guidelines on how to calculate child support. Parental income, number of children and various other issues help a family court judge determine who might be ordered to pay support, how much each payment should be and more. There are worksheets available for a parent who wishes to estimate a payment amount.

The term “expenses” can include a variety of things. In addition to basic needs of shelter, food and clothing, financial provision calculations might also take into account other expenditures, such as fees associated with school, medical expenses or child transportation. Once the court issues an order, both parents must fully adhere to its terms no matter what.

It is, in fact, possible for a child support order to be modified. However, the court would want to see evidence of need. Further, the parent desiring modification must file a petition to request it and must continue to adhere to the terms of the existing court order unless and until modification is granted. An experienced family law attorney can provide guidance and support to any concerned parent who is currently facing child support problems in California.