Yes, the higher-earning spouse generally has to pay child support in a divorce case in California. In ordinary cases, the courts will use the child support calculator to determine which spouse will be responsible for paying, as well as the appropriate amount. However, the courts have the power to deviate from the child support calculator in extraordinary cases.
If one parent has an extremely high income, for example, and the amount the calculator would have him or her pay is unjust or inappropriate under the circumstances, the courts can reduce the child support responsibility to suit the needs of the child. The higher-earning parent has the right to request a reduction if he or she believes that the other parent’s demands or the child support calculator are unreasonable.