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In California, after a couple separates or divorces, a child support order will be entered into if the couple has children. This order dictates how much child support the noncustodial parent will have to pay per month to the custodial parent. Once a child support order is established in Orange County, it is important that payments are made in full and on time. There are a variety of ways in which a noncustodial parent can pay child support.
How might an unmarried parent in California pursue child support?
In California, each parent shares an equal obligation to provide financially for their child. Child support, of course, is not an issue for married parents, but for unmarried parents who are no longer in a relationship with one another, child support becomes an issue they must address. When an unmarried parent is seeking child support he or she must move the court for an order to establish both paternity and subsequently child support.
Despite guidelines, parents may have child support questions
California statutes lay out guidelines for an initial determination of child support that are in general supposed to be specific and clear. Typically, each parent’s income will be examined as will the amount of time they will be caring for the child. However, there may be situations in which a deviation is warranted or “add-ons” are appropriate, for example, for child care.
County agencies assist with child support logistics
Most parents in California understand that even if they are no longer in a relationship with one another they are both still responsible for the well-being of their child. Many times this means that one parent will have custody of the child and the other parent will have visitation and pay child support. In California, each county has a local child support agency, or LCSA. The role of the LCSA is to help California residents establish and enforce child support orders issued by the courts.
When will California courts presume a man is a child's father?
When parents in California break-up or divorce, they both still share the responsibility to support their child financially. However, in order for this obligation to be enforceable by the court, there must be an order for support. If a parent wants to receive child support, they first must move the court to establish paternity -- called parentage-- and then move the court to issue a child support order. While a DNA test can be used to determine parentage, in some cases parentage will be presumed by the court.
How can one modify a child support order?
The state of California has guidelines it uses to determine how much a parent should pay in child support. These child support guidelines take each parent's income into account as well as other factors in reaching a decision. As a very general rule, this results in a child support order that is appropriate. While this child support amount may work well for a period of time, a significant life event could take place that makes it necessary to modify the amount of child support owed.
Despite guidelines, child support cases can be complex
As divorcing parents in Orange County may know, the California Family Code has established guidelines for courts to follow when making an initial child support order. In general, child support may be based on each party's income and how much time the child will spend with each parent. However, life is rarely so cut-and-dried, and an individual's case may be very complex.
Child support goes a long way in securing a child's development
Some people in Orange County may believe that child support payments can only to be used towards costs associated with food and shelter. But in reality, child support payments cover a wide variety of costs towards a child's life and development.
How is child support calculated in California?
Child support payments are given to custodial parents in California to help provide financial support to children involved when parents separate or divorce. The payments help cover not only food and shelter, but also the other needs of the child including education and medical expenses. The child support payment calculations do vary by state, so if you're in the process of a divorce, it is important for both the custodial and the non-custodial parent to understand how these costs are calculated. Let's take a look at California's determining factors.
If you are in a child custody battle, a support team can help
If you are in the process of a divorce and there is a child or children from the marriage, you inevitably will have to make a decision regarding the child's custody. This is not an easy decision, and it is often not agreed upon by both parties, which means it could go to court for the decision.
