When both parents are not actively involved in raising children, child support is generally required under California law. This can include situations where a couple divorces after having a child, as well as situations when children are born out of wedlock.
Child support serves an important public policy goal in ensuring that parents take responsibility for their kids. It is also essential to allow children every advantage in life. That’s why it’s so important to work with a skilled and experienced San Diego child support attorney when issues related to support arise.
Whether you are seeking child support, are being asked to pay it, or a dispute has arisen over support, Contreras Law Firm is here to help you.
Our San Diego family law firm is focused on caring for the whole client. We understand family law issues can be very sensitive, and we take a focused, creative approach to resolving your disputes. Just give us a call at (619) 238-0616 today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you.
Why Trust Contreras Law Firm With Your Child Support Case
At Contreras Law Firm, we know you have many options for where to turn when it comes to divorce and family law cases. We believe our firm is uniquely positioned to help you resolve child support disputes because:
- We have decades of collective experience representing clients with child support issues
- Our exclusive focus on family law helps to ensure we know the rules for child support inside and out
- You’ll know our fees upfront and we’ll work with you to make pursuing your child support claim as cost-effective as possible
- Our creative approach to family law disputes helps us negotiate an out-of-court resolution on child support issues or prepares us to make a compelling case for your preferred support arrangement in court
When it comes to your finances and your child’s future, you can’t afford to trust just anyone. Call us today and let us show you how our compassionate and skilled team can fight for you.
Child Support In California
California law provides a set of statutory guidelines to determine child support. The court will determine the amount of child support to be paid by one parent (or both in limited circumstances), based on the following factors:
- Monthly salary of each parent
- Percentage of custody each parent has with the children
- Number of children both parents have (together and separately)
- Health insurance expenses
- Day care expenses
- Cost of school and other daily living expenses
The court may additionally look to outside expenses, especially in unique situations such as a child with a disability who needs ongoing in-home care, or children who attend private school and have grown up in a certain lifestyle. While no one factor is determinative of another, a judge will consider the salary of the noncustodial parent up to a limit.
Child support generally starts once one of the parents files a request for child support with the court. Child support generally ends once the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever occurs later. There are other unique situations where child support may last longer, such as a child with disabilities, or may last less, if the child marries.
How Can a San Diego Child Support Lawyer Help You?
When you’re involved in a child support case in California, a San Diego child support attorney can provide invaluable assistance including:
- Guiding you through the steps of establishing legal parentage in cases where paternity is in dispute
- Assisting in filing a claim for child support
- Helping you respond to a Summons and Complaint if you are being asked to pay child support
- Working with you to create a stipulated agreement if you wish to avoid court proceedings
- Making a compelling argument on your behalf to convince the court to award your desired support amount
- Assisting with child support modification orders
- Working with you to enforce child support orders
Child support is also closely linked to custody arrangements, and Contreras Law Firm can help you to argue for your preferred custody plan to ensure you have both the time with your children that you desire and the support your child deserves.
How Do San Diego Child Support Laws Work?
California law has guidelines for determining the amount of child support due, and the State of California has a calculator online to help you estimate the amount of support appropriate in your situation.
While it may be possible to deviate from these guidelines in unusual situations, such as when you have a disabled child with extensive and costly medical needs, you can usually expect that the court will use them when creating a support order.
Support typically continues until a child is 18, or completes high school, but parents can also create another arrangement if both agree. Contreras Law Firm can help you to understand how the law works. We can argue for appropriate support in your circumstances and will fight to make sure your finances are secure and your child is provided for so they can have the best opportunities in life. Give us a call at (619) 238-0616 to learn more.