What is the standard for awarding child support?

Child support is an important part of California child custody law. It is based on the premise that, although parents may not be together, both parents must continue to financially support their children. The court will determine the amount of support each parent pays by looking to the individual parent’s income, each parent’s ability to earn income, the standard of living established prior to separation, the number of children being supported, the age of the children, and any necessary expenses of the children. The court will also consider any other financial obligations a parent has, such as education costs, medical bills, and/or any special needs of the child. In order to properly calculate the amount of support to be paid, the court will use the California Guideline Child Support Calculator. This calculator will take into consideration all the factors mentioned above, and it will give a recommendation of the amount of support that should be paid. The court has the final decision in the amount of support that will be paid, but is typically guided by the calculator’s recommendation. Child support is meant to ensure that the children are being taken care of, regardless of the parents being together or apart. It also helps to ensure that the financial burden is being equally shared between both parents. This can help to reduce conflict between parents, as well as make sure that the children continue to have the financial support they need.

Related FAQs

How does the court decide in a contested custody case?
How does the court decide who should have custody of a newborn?
What happens if I can’t afford to pay child support?
How can I ensure that my rights as a non-custodial parent are respected?
What is the best way to handle visitation disputes?
How does the court decide which parent should have primary custody?
How do I handle parental alienation?
Can a child testify in a child custody case?
What is the best way to handle a difficult visitation situation?
How do I get sole legal custody of my child?

What is the standard for awarding child support?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts