San Fernando Valley Child Support Attorney
Ensure Your Children Receive the Child Support They Deserve in California
Child support is an integral part of any divorce or legal separation that involves a child or children.
Most often the non-custodial parent pays the custodial parent a specific sum of money every month for the child's education, food, clothing, medical care, and shelter.
California family courts determine child support based off a specific formula.
This formula takes numerous factors into account, including each parent's income, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, and the specific needs of the child.
Although the child support guidelines are precise in calculating the child support cost, there are definite factors which will influence the actual amount of support that is to be paid each month.
If you are looking to resolve an issue involving child support in regards to a divorce or legal separation in Southern California, look no further than a San Fernando child support attorney from Cutter & Lax.
Our firm is thoroughly dedicated to representing our clients in their family law matters to the best of our ability, always striving to provide personalized attention and aggressive representation in order to pursue the best result possible.
Child support matters can be highly complex and are also emotionally involved.
Having an objective point of view backed by extensive legal knowledge on the subject gives our San Fernando child support lawyer a unique advantage in assisting a client with these matters.
Divorce is never easy and it can be extremely difficult when children are involved.
Determining which parent will receive custodial rights is usually left up to a family law court.
Key Factors Judges Consider in Child Support Decisions:
- Jobs;
- Living environments;
- Parents that hold a more stable “job”; and
- What the child wants.
All determinations of child support are based on the non-custodial parent.
Sometimes, non-custodial parents can fight to retain custody of their child or to receive extended visitation rights.
Regardless of the situation, it is important that you work with an attorney when you are fighting to receive child support.
Understanding Child Support Laws in California
Under federal and state law, both parents are legally obligated to financially provide for their children.
In California, child support payments are usually paid monthly until the child turns 18 or possibly longer if he or she is still in high school, living at home or cannot support him or herself.
If a child is mentally or physically disabled, child support may be required for a much longer period of time. As you can see, the child support amount that you are ordered to pay or receive will directly affect you and your children for many years.
Do what you can to help ensure that the court ruling or agreement you come to with your spouse is beneficial to you and your child.
Working with a San Fernando child support attorney is a step toward ensuring that your interests are protected.
What You Need to Know About Back Child Support in California
There is no statute of limitations on back child support in California.
Child support is mandatory until all payments are complete. The “Compromise of Arrears Program” (COAP) is available for eligible parents with past-due child support payments to lower the amount owed to the state.
How Child Support is Calculated in California
In California, child support is determined using a complex calculation that factors in:
- each parent's gross income;
- the amount of time each child spends with each parent;
- any available income tax deductions that the parents can claim; and
- child care costs incurred by either parent.
Can Parents Opt Out of Child Support in California?
Parents are legally required to take care of their children until they become adults, and caring for children includes supporting them financially.
You cannot waive child support in California as that would mean waiving the care and best interests of the child, as well as denying his or her constitutional right to support.
Contact Our San Fernando Child Support Attorney for Assistance
While child support agreements can be worked out without going to court, at times both parties in a divorce will simply be unable to come to an agreement.
In these cases the spouses will need to go to court where a ruling will be made on the amount of child support to be awarded.
This is most often calculated based off a set formula, but there are ways that financial information as well as child custody can affect the amount, as well as whether you qualify to pay or receive support in the first place.
In working with financial experts and applying legal knowledge on the topic, an experienced San Fernando child support lawyer can assist you in reaching a child support agreement.
If you are interested in learning more about your rights and what legal options you have regarding your child support, schedule a free consultation to speak with our San Fernando child support attorney.
