Frequently Asked Questions
In California, both parents are legally obligated and mutually responsible for the financial support of their minor children. A parent’s first and principal obligation is to support their minor children according to the parent’s circumstances in life.
Support payments include providing for the child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, education, healthcare, and other necessary expenses.
To determine how much each parent will contribute to the child support payment, the court considers a variety of factors, including each parent’s income, earning potential, and amount of time spent with the minor children.
According to the guidelines, each parent should pay for the support of the children according to the parent’s ability to pay. Contact our experienced child support attorneys in San Diego and nearby areas for a free consultation.
If you remarry in California, your new spouse’s income is generally prohibited by the California Family Code from being considered in child support calculations. However, if you file a joint tax return with your new spouse, your actual tax liability based on your new combined gross income may impact the support calculations in your case.
Courts do not punish parents for remarrying. Instead, courts focus on calculating the actual net disposable income of the parent ordered to pay support. If you have any questions about how your remarriage will affect your child support calculations and support payments, reach out to our knowledgeable child support attorney.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as child support payments in San Diego and other regions are determined on a case-by-case basis.
What’s more, there are different child support modifications to take into account. However, courts follow statewide uniform guidelines to determine the appropriate child support amount.
California law emphasizes that the interests of minor children are the state’s top priority in cases regarding child support obligations. The answer to the question “How is child support calculated?” is based primarily on the income of both parents, the number of children, the needs of the children, and the parenting arrangement.
Our experienced child support lawyers are here to help you understand how your income and custody arrangement will impact the appropriate child support obligation in your case.
Child support orders typically end when children reach the age of 18. However, the support duty will continue if children who reach 18 are unmarried, full-time high school students, and not self-supporting. In these circumstances, support will continue until the child graduates high school or reaches age 19, whichever occurs first.
In addition, the court may order, or both parents may agree to, continued support for adult children who are incapacitated or unable to earn a living.
Liability to pay past due child support, also known as child support arrearages, is not extinguished when a child reaches the age of 18. Child support orders are enforceable until paid in full or otherwise satisfied through a legal settlement.
If you have any questions about whether your child support arrangement will continue past the age of 18, do not hesitate to reach out to our child support attorney in San Diego for a free consultation.
JWB Family Law specializes in helping clients with a variety of legal matters, including child support. Depending on the circumstances, we determine how much support you are entitled to receive or, in the alternative, determine the amount to pay child support.
Our experienced child support attorney is here to ensure your former spouse continues paying child support, as well as eventual child support modification, either immediately or down the line. What’s more, you can count on us to ensure deserved spousal support.
In addition, we can also help you with calculating child support payments and be there to resolve a wide range of child support issues in a variety of complicated child support cases.
We work together with you to ensure that your rights are protected, the state guidelines are followed, and that you receive the best possible outcome in your case. We understand that dealing with a child support order can be a difficult and emotional process, which is why we are here to help with your child and spousal support in Temecula and provide a helping hand for your child support proceedings in El Centro.
Whether you need assistance with dividing your assets, reviewing your child custody case, or calculating the appropriate amount of child support, rest assured we’re with you every step of the way. For all matters related to divorce in San Diego, from Temecula to El Centro, we’ve got you covered for all things family law!
For divorces finalized after January 1, 2019, spousal support is no longer tax-deductible for the paying spouse nor taxable income for the recipient under federal law.
Yes. Many couples negotiate spousal support as part of a broader settlement. We can help draft enforceable agreements that protect your interests.
We can pursue enforcement through wage garnishment, contempt proceedings, or liens against property.