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Estimate Your California Child Support in Minutes
Get an instant, confidential estimate based on official California Family Code guidelines. Understand what to expect before filing or negotiating — it only takes 2 minutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding
Child Support in California
Discover what you need to know about Child Support Laws in California
California uses an income-share model that considers both parents’ earnings, custody time, and certain deductions. The goal is to maintain the child’s standard of living in both households. A statewide guideline formula: CS = K[HN – (H%)(TN)]. It factors both parents’ incomes, the time‐share (custody percentage), and certain adjustments. A low-income adjustment may reduce support if the obligor’s net disposable income is below full-time minimum wage.
⚖️ Based on Family Code §4055
🧾 Both parents’ gross incomes are included
⏱️ Custody time share greatly affects payments
💵 Health insurance and daycare costs are factored in
Courts must add (a) work-related childcare actually incurred and (b) uninsured health-care costs for the child. Courts may also add certain educational or special needs expenses and sometimes travel for visitation, typically split between parents.
Generally when the child turns 18 and has graduated high school, or at 19 if still a full-time high-school student living with a parent—whichever happens first. Support can also end earlier if the child marries, joins the military, is emancipated, or passes away.
Yes. Either parent can request a modification when there’s a material change in circumstances (e.g., income or time-share changes). DCSS notes a practical benchmark: a review often proceeds if the calculated change would be ≥20% or ≥$50. You may seek a review through your local child support agency or file a request with the court.
