California Child Support
After divorce and custody cases, child support is a significant expense for parents, funding children's care, and a parental duty.
These court-ordered payments cover necessities. Unlike some other areas of family law, child support has strict rules. California uses a uniform formula considering various financial factors.
How Are Payments Calculated?
California has a standard mathematical formula to determine child support, following this formula determines the amount of child support a parent pays.
CS=K[HN-(H%)(TN)]
- CS: the child support amount.
- K: the total of both parents’ income.
- HN: the high net, or the total disposable income for the higher-earning parent.
- H%: the percentage of time the higher-earning parent is responsible for the child.
- TN: the combined net monthly total disposable income between both parents.
Related Reading: Breaking Down The Child Support Formula (In-depth)
Calculate Your Own Responsibility
To get started:
- Collect specific information about your income, finances, and taxes.
- You need your most recent tax returns, paycheck stubs, and tax forms, like W-2s or 1099s.
- You need any paperwork that documents disability or unemployment benefits,
- child health care costs,
- mandatory fees like union dues or retirement contributions,
- job-related expenses,
- child support payments for other children,
- spousal support payments,
- or similar costs, collect those.
Open Child Support Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
Recent Posts
See All
June 5, 2025
Pro Se: A Closer Look At DIY Divorce
May 29, 2025
High Asset Divorce Mistakes
May 21, 2025
Gift or Inheritance? Does That Matter For Your Divorce Settlement?
May 14, 2025
My Ex Isn’t Making Child Support Payments
April 30, 2025
What Are The Consequences Of Moving Out During Divorce?
April 24, 2025
Things You Should Never Do During Divorce
April 3, 2025
Custody Modification: What If Your Kids Hate Living With Your Ex?
March 26, 2025
Statute Of Limitations on College Education
![CS = K [HN - (H%) (TN)]](https://www.goldbergjones-sandiego.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/child-suuport-forumal-breakdown-scaled.jpg)
Goldberg Jones
3111 Camino Del Rio N
Ste 1050
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 243-0888
1-800-DIVORCE
Contact Us Today
Have questions about divorce, child custody, support payments or family law? We have answers. Phone questions answered by our managing attorney for free!