At the Harris Family Law Group, our Los Angeles family law attorney knows that getting divorced in Los Angeles California changes our clients’ lives. First, one spouse — or both — must move to a new home, condominium, or apartment to accommodate their new lives.
Next, they must determine how they are going to distribute their assets and debts, and whether one must pay the other spousal support.
The biggest concern, and often the most contentious, is who is going to get custody of the children, and who will get visitation rights and pay child support.
The California family courts recommend both parents maintain their previous relationship with their children, and care for them equally. While that is not always the case, some parents can actually share equal time with their kids. That means splitting custody 50/50.
When that is true, will one parent still have to pay child support? The answer is, it depends.
Here is what California parents need to know.
The California child custody calculator is a tool that can help parents estimate child support payments. But it is also based on the factors judges are obligated to follow when establishing a child support payment figure.
While the final amount will differ for everyone, the factors to determine the child support payments will include:
If both parents have approximately the same income, and split custody of their children 50/50, neither parent may be required to pay child support. If one parent’s income is double (or more) what the other makes, he or she may be required to pay child support — even when they are splitting custody in half.
If you are unsure whether you will have to pay child support or receive it, we can help you understand each factor that will go into the judge’s decision. If you would like to establish child custody and child support privately, outside of the courtroom, or during mediation, we can help with that too by scheduling a free consultation today by calling (310) 745-8644.
At the Harris Family Law Group, our Los Angeles County divorce attorneys collaborate with clients using flat fees, instead of billable hours, which allows you to plan your expenditures upfront, so you can have confidence in your financial future.
