What is Child Support?

​Child Support is a monthly payment that one parent will pay to the other to cover the costs of raising the child or the children.  The courts will base the amount paid for child support on a predetermined formula.  The formula, which is set by state law, includes many variables.  These variables include:

• The number of children who need support
• The custody, or Parenting Time arrangement
• The parents’ tax liabilities
• Whether a parent supports children from another relationship
• The child’s health insurance expenses
• The parents’ mandatory retirement contributions and other job-related expenses, and
• any additional relevant costs, which can include health care costs, daycare, travel expenses related to visitation or parenting time.

​The court may also include additional areas related to caring for a child, such as if a child has special needs and requires extra care or services.

For How Long Is Child Support Paid?

Typically, a parent must continue to pay child support until a child turns 18 years old.  There are several exceptions to this guideline.  Courts may extend support until 19 years of age if the child is still in school and is living at home.

The courts may agree to discontinue child support early under certain circumstances, including if the child gets married or enters into a domestic partnership.  Courts will also stop support if the child joins the military or otherwise becomes emancipated.

There are also times where parents may agree, or a parent may petition the court to extend support beyond 19 years if the child has special needs or a disability where the child is not able to become self-supporting.

How is Child Support Calculated?

​The court will never set the child support payments in stone.  The courts recognize that people’s circumstances change over time.  Some factors that would affect the amount paid include:

• Loss of a job
• Change in the amount of parenting time each parent has
• A parent has a new baby
• Change in cost for health benefits premiums

Settling issues related to the children is a tricky part of a divorce.  The process of developing a Parenting Plan can be very stressful and emotional.  California State utilizes a preset formula to remove the possibility of bias or emotion within the court system.  You do not have to be concerned that you get the “right judge.”

The difficulty is agreeing on items in the Parenting Plan that would directly impact the formula, such as the amount of parenting time each parent receives and settling terms such as what numbers to base the formula.

Call Tracy Duell-Cazes, A Certified Family Law Specialist

​Tracy Duell-Cazes is a certified family law specialist.  When Tracy represents you, you will be sure that you are dealing with an experienced professional who has your best interests at heart.  Call the Law Office of Tracy Duell-Cazes, also knows as TDC Family Law to schedule your free consultation at 408.267.8484.