According to California law, every child has the right to receive financial support from both legal parents. If the parents do not live together and the children divide their time between their parents, then the goal is for the children to have the same standard of living in both households. The amount of California child support is based on each parent’s income, how many days per year the children spend with each parent, and certain necessary expenses. Some couples engage in lengthy court battles about child support, but they are the exception, rather than the rule. You do not need a lawyer to get a court order for child support. If your financial situation has changed since your California child support order was issued, you can officially increase the amount you receive or decrease the amount you are obligated to pay without hiring a lawyer. A more affordable option is to have a registered legal document assistant prepare your child support forms.
How the Family Courts Calculate California Child Support
Child support obligations vary from one family to another. The courts calculate California child support based on many factors related to the family’s time-sharing arrangement, income, and other financial obligations. These are some of the most important factors:
- How many children the parents have together
- How many days per year the children spend with each parent
- If either parent also has children from another relationship, how much child support, if any, that parent receives for those children
- How much income each parent earns per year through work
- How much money each parent receives per year from other sources, such as interest on savings or financial support from other family members
- Which parent claims the children as dependents on his or her tax return
- Which parent, if any, pays for the children’s health insurance
- Necessary child-related expenses, like daycare and medical expenses not covered by insurance
If your ex-spouse has voluntarily quit their job or chooses to work fewer hours, the court can impute income to him or her. Imputed income is the amount of money your ex could make when working full-time based on your ex’s earning history and professional qualifications.
You do not need a lawyer to solve common child support problems like your ex not complying with California child support orders or modifying child support orders to reflect your financial hardship. The court is used to dealing with these problems, and you just need to file the right documents to solve them.
A People’s Choice can Help You Resolve Routine California Child Support Issues
Collecting or modifying California child support does not require a lawyer, but it does require legal documents. The most efficient way to solve your child support issues is to have a professional prepare the court documents you need. Contact A People’s Choice, and a non-attorney registered legal document assistant in California will prepare the legal documents you need to collect or modify child support. Call us today at 800-747-2780.
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