How Do I Know if My Child Support is Fair?

At the Land Legal Group, our divorce attorneys in Los Angeles understand that when a marriage comes to an end, child custody is often the leading emotional factor. When parents are divorcing, they need to know what their child support rights are, whether they are the parent receiving support or the one paying the support.

Child support payments are designed to provide the minor children with access to the resources they were accustomed to before the divorce.

In the eyes of the court, the children’s well-being is the most important aspect of the case.

Whether you are the parent paying or receiving child support, chances are the question of whether the court order is fair has probably crossed your mind at some point.

Our Los Angeles child support attorneys can help provide answers.

Why Are Child Support Orders Necessary in California?

When couples with minor children get divorced in California, child support can be awarded in one of two ways.

• The amount can be agreed upon by the parents, either on their own or during mediation, which does not require the court’s involvement.
• The family court can order the child support payment schedule and amount, which is established by a judge when the parents cannot decide on the details on their own.

This money, usually paid by the parent who does not have custody, or by the non-custodial parent, is meant to be used for items such as:

• Child Care
• Clothing
• Education and Supplies
• Extracurricular Activities
• Food
• Housing
• Medical Care
• Transportation

Child support allows children to transition into a single-parent household without jeopardizing their quality of life.

How Will a Los Angeles Family Court Judge Determine the Amount of Child Support?

When considering the amount of child support necessary for each family, the judge will examine many factors that will work into the decision, including:

• The current custodial agreement and parenting plan
• The ability of the non-custodial parent to pay support
• The number of children shared by the parents

When one parent has sole custody of the children, child support will most often be paid by the non-custodial parent.

When parents share joint physical custody of the children, the child support agreement will be based on the percentage of time the children spend with each parent, each parent’s financial ability to care for the children, and which parent is more financially stable.

Other factors that will be weighed during child support decisions may include, but are not limited to:

• Requirements for children with special needs
• Dental care
• Vision care
• Medical insurance
• Child care costs

If you believe you are paying too much, or are receiving too little in child support, contact our Los Angeles family law attorneys today at (310)552-3500 to learn about potential modifications that can be pursued for your existing child support order.

Related links:

• Can My Ex Pursue New Spouse’s Income for Additional Child Support