Camarillo Child Support Attorney

At the Law Offices of Stephanie L. Mahdavi, we stay current on all changes made to California family laws and how they can affect matters related to child support.  As a responsible parent, you want your child to be protected when a divorce occurs. In order for your children to keep the lifestyle they were accustomed to, one of the divorcees, will have to provide child support. Men are generally responsible for supporting their children financially since they earn the majority of the household income. However, in some cases the mother will have to bear this financial burden.  Contact a Camarillo child support attorney to walk you through the whole process and explain what your legal options are.

California laws regarding child support

There are some specific guidelines in California that the court must follow. Some factors to be considered include:

• Parents’ income.
• How many children you have?
• How much time each parent spends with the child.

Income for child support is determined by calculating the gross income, then deducting some things, and dividing the final product by 12 months. Your gross income may include are:

• Salary, wages as well as bonuses, rental income, pensions, trust income, workers comp and social security benefits, etc.
• Income from your business.
• Health insurance.
• Expenses for children from previous marriages.

Some parents may avoid their child support responsibilities by becoming unemployed. Courts take this behavior very seriously and may enforce child support by considering the parent’s earning ability instead of what he or she is currently earning. However, the court will first have to prove that there are jobs available for the parent.

Child support and timeshare

The court will decide which parent is more suitable to spend more time with the child Responsibilities such as transportation, education costs, and attending school functions are considered.  This is generally decided based on how involved each parent is. Child support is calculated right after the timeshare is determined.  A computer program is used by the court to calculate the final amount. However, some cases may require a more personalized approach and the court will not go by the calculated amount. Some examples where the court will go by a different child support amount include:

• One of the parents has a high income and the calculated amount is more than what the child needs.
• A parent doesn’t spend enough time with the child and is not contributing to the child’s needs.
• Both parents spend an equal amount of time with the children.
• The children may need some medication or special care requiring more support than the one already calculated.

Protect your relationship with your children

Whether you are thinking about getting a divorce or you wish to modify your current child support order, a Camarillo child support attorney can advise on the best course of action. Find the legal guidance you need at the Law Offices of Stephanie L. Mahdavi. We’ll get you through your case with ease and handle all the legalities so that your relationship with your children as well as their rights are fully protected.