For those with kids, the prospect of a divorce can be especially scary because you have so many more worries. One of the many extra concerns you will have is how child support will be determined by the family courts.
After all, an appropriate child support amount can be the difference between being able to provide for your children and not, or maintaining the standard of living they know right now, during the marriage.
Child support
In Los Angeles, and throughout California, child support is the amount of support paid by one parent to the other that covers the costs associated with raising the parents’ children. Since this is an amount over and above alimony and anything received in the property division process, it can be a contentious issue as the paying spouse may feel it is unfair. However, it is important to keep in mind that these funds are for the children.
California Child Support Guideline Formula
Our state has made child support into a mathematical formula. It takes into account various factors. This includes both your income, and the income of your soon-to-be ex-spouse, parenting time, tax status, other children, children-related expenses and costs, special needs of the parents and children and any other relevant factors.
Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department
Your child support case may also include the Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department. The CSSD is a county agency that provides child support related services. This includes enforcing child support orders, as well as establishing and modifying them. The CSSD could even intervene in your divorce case, if your soon-to-be ex-spouse or you request their services, or if you receive public assistance for your children.
California actually provides a calculator that can give you an idea of a possible child support award amount. The actual determination will ultimately be left up to the judge unless the spouses can agree among themselves.