Child support is money owed to one parent on behalf of the child to ensure both parents contribute to the child’s lifestyle and needs. The amount of child support a court will order is based upon the number of children, each parent’s tax filing status, and each parent’s income. This is commonly referred to as “guideline child support.” Either a father or a mother can collect child support, so long as that parent has custody rights to the children.

The most common questions asked in child support cases are: how do I get child support, and how much child support will I pay? Depending on whether the parent is paying child support or getting child support, after each parent learns the amount of child support the court will order, the next questions are how do I get more child support, and how do I lower my child support? Child support is income driven, not expense driven. A court only looks at each parent’s before tax income, not the amount of either parent’s expenses.

The law in Californiais that child support should be paid before all other expenses. Child support will take away a significant part of the paying parent’s income, and must be budgeted accordingly. Except in very rare circumstances Ca family law courts do not have the power to order anything other than guideline child support.

Child support is payable on a monthly basis until the minor child dies, is emancipated, reaches the age of 18 years and is a high school graduate, or until the child reaches the age 19 if the child continues to attend high school on a full-time basis after his/her 18th birthday, whichever occurs first.

Child Support is owed until paid in full; collection of child support goes on forever; even after all the children are adults. Interest on any child support arrears accrues at the simple interest rate of 10% per year.

Once child support is ordered, it is possible to obtain a modification to change the amount of child support ordered. This is done by filing an Order to Show Cause . Each party must provide new financial information. The family lawcourt the has the power to reduce or increase child support based upon the parent's new financial circumstances.