Woodland Hills Child Support Attorneys

Helping You Protect Your Children's Financial Future in California

When parents separate or divorce, they must determine how to provide for their children's financial needs. In California, child support is determined by a formula that takes into account the parents' incomes, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, and other factors. 

At Nader & Woodcock, APLC, our Woodland Hills child support lawyers can help you understand how child support is calculated and what you can expect to pay or receive. We can also help you seek a modification of child support if your circumstances have changed.

For more information about child support in California, call (800) 689-0774 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our team.

What Is Child Support?

Child support refers to the financial payments made by one parent to another for the upbringing and care of their child. The purpose of child support is to ensure that children continue to receive the same standard of living they enjoyed while their parents were together. 

How Is Child Support Calculated in California?

California uses a formula to calculate child support. The formula is based on the parents' incomes, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, and other factors. The formula is complex, and it is important to have an experienced child support attorney in Woodland Hills on your side to ensure that the calculation is accurate.

When calculating child support, the court will consider:

• The parents' incomes
• The amount of time the child spends with each parent
• The number of children the parents have together
• Whether either parent has other children to support
• Whether either parent is supporting a child from another relationship
• Whether either parent is paying or receiving spousal support
• Whether either parent has tax deductions
• Whether either parent has mandatory retirement contributions
• Whether either parent has the cost of health insurance premiums
• Whether either parent has the cost of child care
• Whether either parent has the cost of uninsured health care expenses

Once the court has determined the amount of child support, it will issue a child support order. The order will specify the amount of child support, the date it is due, and how it is to be paid. The order will also specify how long child support is to be paid. 

How Long Does Child Support Last in California? 

In California, child support is generally paid until the child turns 18. However, if the child is still in high school, child support will continue until the child turns 19 or graduates, whichever occurs first. Child support may also continue if the child is disabled.

What Happens if a Parent Fails to Pay Child Support?

Child support is a legal obligation, and failure to pay child support can result in serious consequences, including:

• Wage garnishment
• Seizure of tax refunds
• Liens on property
• Driver's license suspension
• Passport denial
• Contempt of court

If you are not receiving child support, it is important to seek a child support order as soon as possible. Our child support lawyers in Woodland Hills can help you seek it from the court.

Reach out to us at (800) 689-0774 or connect with us online to arrange a consultation with our Woodland Hills child support attorneys.

How Can I Get Child Support in California?

If you are a parent who is not living with your child, you may be entitled to receive child support. Child support is intended to help the custodial parent pay for the child's basic needs, including food, clothing, and shelter. Child support can also be used to pay for the child's education, medical care, and other expenses.

Under California law, both parents have a legal obligation to support their children. If you are not receiving child support, you can seek a child support order from the court. To obtain a child support order, you will need to:

• Complete and file the necessary forms
• Provide the court with information about your income and expenses
• Provide the court with information about the other parent's income and expenses
• Provide the court with information about the child's needs

How Can I Modify Child Support?

If you are unable to pay child support, it is important to seek a modification of the child support order as soon as possible. 

Child support is based on the parents' incomes and the amount of time the child spends with each parent. If either parent's circumstances have changed, it may be possible to modify child support. For example:

• If the parent who is paying child support has lost his or her job, he or she may be able to seek a reduction in child support. 
• If the parent who is receiving child support has lost his or her job, he or she may be able to seek an increase in child support. 
• If the time-sharing arrangement changes, such as one parent gaining more custody, this can impact the support obligations.
• If the child has new needs, such as medical expenses or educational costs, it may be necessary to request an increase in support.

Our child support lawyers in Woodland Hills can help you seek a modification of child support if your circumstances have changed.

How Can I Enforce Child Support?

Enforcing child support in California involves several steps to ensure that the non-custodial parent meets their financial obligations. Initially, you might try communicating directly with the other parent to resolve any issues informally. If that doesn’t work, you should document all payment-related details, including missed payments and communication attempts. 

You can then contact your local Child Support Agency (LCSA) for assistance, which can help locate the non-compliant parent, establish paternity, or set up wage garnishment. If enforcement is still needed, filing a motion for enforcement with the court can lead to various actions, including contempt proceedings, wage garnishment, or tax refund interception.

Engaging with the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) can further assist in enforcing orders, while consulting with a family law attorney can provide legal guidance throughout the process. Our Woodland Hills child support lawyers can help you seek enforcement of child support. 

Understanding Your Rights and Obligations in Child Support

When it comes to child support, it's important to understand your rights as a parent and your obligations to your children. Our experienced Woodland Hills child support attorneys can provide you with the legal guidance and support you need to navigate the complex process of child support calculations, modifications, and enforcement.

Our team can help you with the following:

• Explaining the factors that go into calculating child support in California
• Assisting you in filing for child support
• Guiding you through the process of modifying an existing child support order
• Helping you enforce child support payments if the other parent is not complying with the court order
• Providing you with knowledgeable legal advice tailored to your specific situation

At Nader & Woodcock, we are committed to protecting your children's financial future and ensuring that their best interests are represented. today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your rights and obligations when it comes to child support.

For more information, call (800) 689-0774 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our child support lawyer in California.