The issue of child support is always a difficult one when parents split up, whether they were married or not. If you are going through a child support battle with your co-parent, you are likely wondering how the amount is determined. What is taken into consideration when a court determines child support in California?
The obligations for child support depend on who has custody of the child. If one parent has custody, the other will likely have to make child support payments. If both parents share custody, the determination will be based on what each parent makes and who has the child more of the time.
California determines the amount of child support needed for a parent to raise a child. There are a few federal guidelines that states must follow as outlined in the Child Support Enforcement Act.
Courts take the following into consideration when determining the amount of child support:
- The income of the parent who has custody of the child and the needs of that parent
- The needs of the child financially, including insurance, education, day care, health and any special needs
- The income of the parent who is paying the child support and his or her ability to do so
- The standard of living for the child prior to the separation or divorce of the parents
Now that you know what goes into a child support decision you can prepare for the case appropriately. Make sure you ask any and all questions you have when speaking with your family law attorney so there are no surprises along the way.