How Child Support is Calculated in California: Understanding the Guidelines
April 4 . 1 min read
When parents in California separate or divorce, one of the most critical issues they must address is child support, which is designed to ensure that children continue to receive financial support from both parents.
Child support is not optional—it’s a legal obligation. At Feak & Revelo, LLP, our San Jose family law attorneys help parents understand how child support is calculated, what factors affect the amount, and how to advocate for fair, appropriate support based on California guidelines.
California’s public policy emphasizes that both parents share an equal responsibility to support their children financially. Child support is intended to cover various expenses, including housing, food, clothing, healthcare, educational costs, and other basic needs. The goal is to maintain the child’s standard of living as closely as possible to what they would have experienced if the parents had remained together.
The time each parent spends with the child (timeshare).
Tax filing status.
Health insurance premiums.
Mandatory union dues or retirement contributions.
Childcare costs are related to employment or education.
Support paid for other children from different relationships.
The guideline formula is: CS = K (HN – (H%) (TN))
Where:
CS is the child support amount.
K is the combined income allocation factor.
HN is the high earner’s net disposable income.
H% is the high earner’s percentage of parenting time.
TN is the total net monthly disposable income of both parents.
While this formula is complex, the state provides a child support calculator that attorneys and parents can use to estimate guideline support. However, these numbers are only as accurate as the information entered, and that’s where experienced legal guidance is crucial.
Deviating from the California Child Support Guideline Amount
In most cases, courts follow the calculation of the guideline. However, a judge can deviate from the guideline support amount in limited circumstances.
They include:
One parent has an extraordinarily high income, and the guideline would exceed the child’s needs.
The parents have equal time with the child, but very different incomes.
The child has special medical, educational, or other needs.
The guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate for a particular reason.
At Feak & Revelo, LLP, we help our clients evaluate whether a deviation may be appropriate and advocate for a support amount that meets the child’s best interests.
Why Legal Representation Matters in Child Support Cases
Even with a formula in place, calculating child support is rarely straightforward. Disputes can arise over income reporting, hidden assets, self-employment, or discrepancies in parenting time.
Our Santa Clara County child support attorneys assist clients by:
Gathering accurate financial documentation.
Identifying proper deductions and credits.
Advocating for realistic timeshare calculations.
Ensuring court orders reflect the actual financial situation of both parties.
If you’re dealing with a child support issue in San Jose, California, don’t navigate the process alone. Contact Feak & Revelo, LLP at (408) 501-8883 or reach out online to schedule a consultation. Our San Jose child support attorneys are here to ensure that your child receives the support they need and that your financial interests are fairly represented under California law.
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Ally
Samantha is the best thing to happen to my daughter and I. She helped me understand the crazy tactics of my ex and helped the court understand why I needed custody of my daughter. I am so lucky to have her as my lawyer.
Emil
Attorney Revelo is professional, thorough, and smart. She understands all the nuances of the law regarding Divorce and Separation and I am grateful she took my case. She is efficient and caring all at once. I was able to get my divorce finalized in a little over six months. She made a court date and personally oversaw the final judgement. She is trustworthy, fair, and ultra-competent. I would recommend her to anyone seeking a divorce or separation. Attorney Revelo embodies excellence in her field of law.
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