The Law Offices of Jasmine Davaloo

Child support is money the court orders one parent to pay the other parent each month for the support of their child. As an underlying rule, both parents have an equal duty to support their children. In cases involving minor children, whether it is a divorce case or a paternity case, child support issues may arise.

In California, there is a Uniform Child Support Guideline formula which determines the amount of child support. The Guideline amount is based on both parties’ income, the amount of time each parent spends with the child, and other factors. Parties can always agree to a different amount of child support as long as the child’s needs are met. Child support obligations generally last until the child turns 18 years old, or 19 years old and a full-time high school student living at home. In addition to Guideline child support, one or both parents may be required to pay additional financial support, such as child care and education costs. Contact the Law Office of Jasmine Davaloo to calculate Guideline child support based on your situation.

Where parents are self-employed or have various sources of income or fringe benefits, it may be more difficult to determine the support amount than it would be with only W-2 income. In some cases, a parent may keep him/herself unemployed or underemployed to avoid child support obligation. It is important to work with an experienced family law attorney that is familiar with the various ways to handle these types of situations. Call The Law Office of Jasmine Davaloo today for a consultation.