Tustin Child Support Lawyer

Serving Parents in Orange County, LA County, Pomona, Whittier, Long Beach, Riverside & San Bernardino

In California, as in other states, supporting your child financially is not voluntary but a law. All parents, whether divorce or never married, are expected to provide monetary support to ensure that their children’s needs are met. However, this matter can be disputed by couples during and after divorce as well as by unmarried parents. Furthermore, modifications to existing child support court orders may need to be sought or defended against when a parent alleges that his or her circumstances have changed so much to make current payments unfair or unviable. Enforcement of child support may also become an issue where a parent alleges that the other party is in violation of the current support order. 

All of these issues call for the knowledge and advocacy of a family law attorney who understands California law, court proceedings, and the nuances and intricacies of child support cases. At the Law Office of Tracey N. Lundquist, APC, you can work with a Tustin child support attorney who practices family law exclusively. Because our firm is devoted entirely to this field, we have extensive knowledge and practical experience in successfully resolving these cases on behalf of our clients.

 Need a strong advocate on your side in a child support matter? Contact the Law Office of Tracey N. Lundquist, APC to arrange for a confidential consultation about your case. We are available at (714) 949-1711.

Child Support in California

Child support is a financial obligation on the part of a parent until the child reaches 18 and has graduated from high school or has reached 19, become emancipated, or until further court order, whichever occurs first. 

In California, child support is determined by applying a mandated statewide guideline. This guideline provides a mathematical formula to calculate the child support amount in each case. The formula factors in each parent’s net disposable income, the number of minor children of the marriage, how much time a child spends with each parent, and any appropriate deductions and/or hardships. 

Under Family Code section 4059, the annual net disposable income of each parent is determined by applying specific deductions to arrive at net annual disposable income and dividing by 12 to obtain the monthly figure. 

Gross income includes but is not limited to:

• Wages
• Salaries
• Commissions 
• Royalties
• Bonuses
• Rents
• Dividends
• Pensions
• Interest
• Trust income
• Annuities
• Workers’ compensation benefits
• Unemployment and disability insurance benefits
• Social Security benefits
• Spousal support received from a third person who is not a party to the implicated support order 

A court of law may deviate from “guideline” child support, but this is rare. When done, the court must specifically state the reasons for the deviation and how it supports the best interests of the child. 

Modifications

Child support orders may be modified at any time when circumstances change. These circumstances must be substantial enough to justify such a modification. However, if the parties agree between themselves to a child support order for less than “guideline” amount, no change of circumstances is required. Child support cannot be made nonmodifiable by agreement of the parties.