Glendale Child Support Lawyer

Child custody and support are often among the most contentious aspects of divorce and separation proceedings. By trusting a knowledgeable Glendale child support lawyer to handle your case, you can expect effective representation and the protection of your rights. At Khalaf Law Group, a family law firm, our team of attorneys is well-equipped to help you with any child support issues you have.

What to Know About Child Support in CA

California states that each parent is responsible for caring for their child and, therefore, must financially support the child. Child support is an amount of money that family court tells a parent to pay to their co-parent each month. Typically, support payments are paid to the parent that primarily cares for the child, the parent with whom the child lives with most of the time. There may be exceptions to this depending on the income of each parent.

This money goes towards funding the child’s living expenses and ongoing well-being. Additionally, support payments cover future expenses, such as medical and dental costs, vacation expenses, costs of extracurricular activities, and private school expenses. It’s possible for parents to agree on how to share this responsibility without the court’s intervention, but if they cannot, either party can ask the court for a child support order.

Child support orders outline how the parents share this financial responsibility for their child, the amount of each monthly payment, how each parent should handle emergency costs, and other terms, such as requiring that child support be directly deducted from the paying party’s paycheck. Child support usually ends when the child turns 18 and graduates from high school.

If the child cannot support themself financially and goes to high school full-time, support payments don’t stop until they graduate or turn 19, whichever occurs first. Support can also continue after this age requirement if the child is disabled and cannot support themselves financially or if the parents agree on continuing support payments.

Child support may also end when the child gets married, enters a domestic partnership, joins the armed forces, becomes emancipated, or dies.

How Does the Family Court Calculate Child Support?

California family courts follow a guideline when determining child support payments. This guideline takes multiple factors into account, such as how much each parent earns, how the parties file their taxes, how much time each party spends with their child, and other relevant details. This government-provided calculator can help you achieve a rough estimate of how much your custody payments may be.

You can also choose to consult with a child support lawyer about getting an approximation of what you’re likely to pay in support. Glendale family lawyers understand court processes, and they recognize the external factors judges might take into account that may not be included in the generalized calculator.

Obtaining or Modifying a Child Support Order

When asking the court for a child support order, the paperwork you need to file depends on whether you have an already active family law case, such as a divorce. If you don’t, you must start a family law case in order to request for a judge to decide on child support or ask them for approval on a predetermined support arrangement.

The process may also differ if you want the Local Child Support Agency (LCSA), or Department of Child Support, to be involved in the case. This agency ensures children receive sufficient financial support for their needs. Child support orders can be changed if the paying parent is making less money, the receiving parent is making more money, or if child custody terms change such as the paying party spending more time with their child.

If parents agree to the change, they can file a written agreement with the family court judge to sign. Otherwise, either party must file a Request for Order that asks for the support arrangement to be modified. If LCSA is involved in the child support case, they must also approve any changes to the support agreement and the process will be slightly different.

FAQs

Q: Is Child Support Required in California?

A: California family law requires that both parents must provide adequate care in raising their child, including through the responsibility to provide financial support. Unless a party waives their parental rights, they must provide monthly child support payments to the custodial parent. Depending on the income of each parent, sometimes the custodial parent may be the one ordered to pay child support to the non-custodial parent.

Q: How Do You End Child Support Payments?

A: Child support typically does not end until the child turns 18 and graduates high school. If the child still attends high school at the time they turn 18, child support must continue until they turn 19 or graduate. Support payments may also end if the child gets married, joins the military, is emancipated, or passes away. If your child no longer requires support payments, you must file a request to end the court order.

Q: What Is the Process for Changing a Support Order?

A: If you believe your current support order should be changed, consult with a child support lawyer to ensure that you qualify and to help you with the proper paperwork. You can only request for a child support order to be modified if one or both parent’s financial situation changes or if there are changes in custody, such as the paying party spending more time with the child.

Q: How Does the Judge Determine Child Support?

A: In California, a family court judge considers numerous factors before determining what amount of child support payments is most appropriate for a specific case. These factors include the age of the child, whether they have any medical or special education needs, the standard of living they would’ve had had the parents stayed together, each parent’s income, and other relevant details.

Our Child Support Lawyers Are Here for You

Khalaf Law Group has successfully assisted countless clients with determining child support, as well as enforcing and modifying support court orders. Contact our team today to schedule a meeting with a skilled child support lawyer.