How do I calculate child support in a military divorce?
To calculate child support in a military divorce in California, parents must calculate the military member’s basic pay, housing allowance, and cost of living allowance (COLA). These three components must be added together and then multiplied by a percentage based on the number of children involved in the divorce. If a parent has one child, the percentage is 18.3%. This percentage increases with the addition of more children. For example, the percentage is 25.3 if there are two children and 28.6 if there are three. Once the basic pay and allowances have been added together and multiplied by the appropriate percentage, the result is then divided by the total number of children involved in the divorce. This monthly amount is the basic child support obligation. It is important to note that child support for military families in California is based on the military member’s income, not their spouse’s. Additionally, California courts can deviate from the state’s child support guidelines when calculating a military family’s child support obligation. California courts can also consider the special needs of a military family, such as travel and deployment expenses, when determining the amount of child support to be paid. In cases where a military family has frequent moves or deployments, the court may also consider how child support payments can be arranged to ensure continuity of payments for the child.
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