Calculate Child Support in California

Determining child support can be a complicated part of any child custody lawsuit. Whether you are involved in a custody trial or are just looking at possible outcomes, follow California’s guidelines for determining child support. This article walks you through California’s online child support calculator, helps you crunch the numbers yourself and shows you where to turn for help. Bear in mind that the courts always have the final say, and your calculated child support is just a ballpark figure.

Use California’s Guideline Child Support Calculator

 * 1) Gather all the necessary information before you begin.
 * 2) *Find a list of needed information in the Things You’ll Need section of this article.
 * 3) Go online and navigate to California’s Department of Child Support Services page.
 * 4) Select the link entitled “Calculate Child Support.”
 * 5) Download the California Guideline Child Support Calculator User Guide by clicking on the link for it. This comprehensive guide comes in handy when you have questions about the calculator.
 * 6) Navigate back to the guideline calculator’s homepage and click on “Go to Calculator.”
 * 7) Select your number of dependents from the drop-down box. Only include children common to both parents.
 * 8) Click “Start” and the calculating begins.
 * 9) Enter all required information by either selecting, de-selecting, choosing from a drop-down box or entering the details yourself.
 * 10) *You’ll be entering information about how much time each child spends with the primary parent (Parent 1); annual tax, monthly income and monthly deduction information for both parents; details of hardship expenses; and monthly expenses relating to each child.
 * 11) *For detailed information about exactly what you need to enter in each section, review the California Guideline Child Support Calculator User Guide that you downloaded earlier.
 * 12) Click “Calculate” to generate your child support estimate.
 * 13) *The Guideline Calculator provides you with an Estimate Payments Summary and an Estimate Payments Results Detail.
 * 14) Change information in the calculator by selecting “Modify” and then re-entering the information in question.
 * 15) Print the reports by clicking “View Printable Results” and then selecting “Print.”
 * 16) Clear all of the information from the calculator and start over by selecting “Start Over.”

Crunch the Numbers Yourself

 * 1) Know the formula used by California courts to determine child support: CS=K[HN-(H%)(TN)]
 * 2) *“CS” stands for total child support owed. This is the number you get after calculating the formula.
 * 3) *“K” represents a factor of both of the parents’ incomes that is owed for child support. This number is partially determined by the number of children for which the parents are responsible.
 * 4) *“HN” is the net disposable income of the highest earning parent.
 * 5) *“H%” equals the percentage of time that the highest earning parent has custody of the child.
 * 6) *“TN” is the combined net disposable income of both parents.
 * 7) Enter your numbers into the formula and calculate the estimated child support.
 * 8) *This calculation does not include possible deductions such as income taxes, health insurance costs or child support paid to children from other relationships.

Go to the Professionals for Help

 * 1) Ask your lawyer to calculate the estimated child support for you.
 * 2) Visit your county’s Family Law Facilitator and ask for help calculating the child support.
 * 3) *Find your local facilitator by navigating to California’s Department of Child Support Services page. Select “Calculate Child Support” and then click on “Family Court Facilitator.” From there, select your county from the drop-down menu.
 * 4) Utilize the services of a Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) at no cost.
 * 5) *To find your LCSA either call (866) 901-3212 or visit California’s Department of Child Support Services homepage and select “Contact Your Local Child Support Agency.”

Things You'll Need

 * Both parents’ most recent tax returns
 * Paycheck stubs for both parents
 * W2s or 1099s for both parents
 * Information about any disability or unemployment benefits
 * Details about your child care expenses
 * Health insurance premium information and any unusual health care expenses
 * Any mandatory retirement contributions either parent has
 * A list of any necessary job-related expenses that aren’t reimbursed by either parent’s employer
 * Documentation of any spousal support that is paid to other relationships
 * Details of any uninsured catastrophic losses
 * Information regarding any child support paid for children of other relationships

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Choose the Right Divorce Lawyer
 * How to Survive a Divorce
 * How to Tell Your Kids You're Getting a Divorce
 * How to Cope with Divorce As a Child

Sources and Citations

 * https://www.cse.ca.gov/ChildSupport/cse/guidelineCalculator
 * http://www.childsup.ca.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=2Mp0n3MS4Ug%3d&tabid=114&mid=800
 * http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/calculating-child-support-in-california.html