Child Support

Going through a divorce when there are child custody and support issues can be complicated. California law mandates that parents must provide appropriate medical and dental care for their children, which can include health insurance. Who pays and how much they pay varies from case to case. In some situations, the about-to-be-exes negotiate this up front and have it as part of the written parenting plan they present to the court. In other situations, the court determines how health insurance and medical care costs will be handled. Here are some…

In the state of California, if you are a parent who is divorcing or already divorced – or if you are an unmarried parent in this state – and you are expecting to pay or receive monthly child support payments, the amount of those payments will be based primarily on the income of each parent, including any benefits they receive. If one parent or the other receives Social Security benefits, how will that affect the amount of child support that a parent can expect to pay or receive? Can a…

In California, when the parents of minor children get divorced, the non-custodial parent may be ordered by the court to make child support payments to the custodial parent. Supporting a child is a parent’s legal obligation whether that parent is single, married, divorced, or remarried. Here are the answers to the top ten most frequently asked questions our child support lawyers receive about child support in the state of California: 1. HOW ARE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENT AMOUNTS DETERMINED IN CALIFORNIA? Statewide guidelines have been established by California lawmakers that generally…

Child support documents are legal entities, enforceable by California family courts. Ignoring these documents could result in serious penalties – including jail time. The procedure for contempt cases, including violations for child custody or support, will vary. It is also important to note that not all orders are enforceable, especially if they were not completed in accordance with the law at the time. Our child support attorneys can help. Contempt of Court Can Be a Criminal Process There are two types of contempt proceedings in the state of California. The…

California Child Support Laws Like every other state, California has its own guidelines for enforcing child support orders. While there is no checklist or rules for addressing the emotional aspects, the financial and legal considerations are clear and designed to protect the children. This is something our Orange County child support law firm knows very well. With recent changes, it’s now become even more clear – California expects its parents to financially support their children. Judges are now required to follow state law on most elements of child support, including…

Life never remains consistent. People change jobs, change career paths, return to school, marry and divorce. Those changes can sometimes mean a big change in a family’s income. For those who pay child support, but who need to have the amount they pay changed, they can contact their local child support agency or Orange County child support lawyers in California. If a new calculation determines that the child support should be increased or decreased by at least $50 or 20 percent, the court can then step in. A modification review…

California requires that each parent pay an equal share in support of their child’s essential needs, but the state also requires that parents share an equal burden of extracurricular activities. The court may sometimes consider a different proportion of obligations based on financial obligations — if it indicates that it is appropriate to require a higher amount of child support from one party than the other. It is important to note that the courts will not always grant additional child support. However, the statutes do allow the judge to use…