Child Support

San Francisco Child Support Lawyer

California law requires both parents to be responsible for the financial support of their children. Child support is the money paid by one divorcing parent to the other parent as his or her contribution to the support of the minor children. The statute does not discriminate as to whom should pay based on gender. At JC Law Offices we represent fathers and mothers in child support matters. Contact an experienced California family law attorney today.

Child Support Factors

Child support depends on many factors including the custodial and non-custodial parents' incomes, each parent’s tax filing status, and additional financial obligations. Child custody and visitation issues are also at play – the time each child spends with each parent is a part of the child support formula. Occasionally, the standard of living the children and parents enjoyed before the dissolution of marriage is considered.

If the parents cannot agree on the amount of child support a judge will evaluate these factors and make a ruling on who will pay, and how much. California courts almost always use the predetermined statute formula for child support. Judges have comparatively little discretion to vary the computer-calculated amount of child support, but they do have wide latitude to decide about disputed input data (for example, the true amount of a parent's income or expenses).

Child Support Required until 18 or 19 Depending on Circumstances

The duration of child support usually is standard: until the child marries, dies, reaches the age of 18 years (or 19 years if still in high school and living with a parent), or is emancipated.

Wage Garnishment to Pay Child Support

Child support enforcement is strict and non-custodial parents face wage garnishment or payroll garnishment if they fall behind on payment or they refuse to pay.

Contact Us

San Mateo County child support lawyer Jonathan G. Chance has vast experience with California courts calculating child support, and he can provide an estimate on the amount of child support you may be ordered to pay or may receive. Contact our law firm today to schedule an appointment.