Family Law Attorney Representing San Diego Residents
Child support may be an emotionally charged topic because parents may have different ideas of which amount is appropriate. If you are facing a child support issue, it is important to reach out to a skilled San Diego child support lawyer who can guide you through the proceedings. Family law attorney Roseline D. Feral can help you understand California laws and how they may apply in your situation. She can advocate for your position whether you are the parent who is paying or receiving support.
Understanding Child Support Determinations
Child support orders are legally binding documents that oblige a non-custodial parent to provide monthly financial support to their child or children. Parents have an obligation to financially support their children. In California, this responsibility falls equally on both parents. Parents are free to come up with a child support agreement on their own. However, if they cannot decide, the court must decide for them.
In California, there is a statutory formula that is used to calculate how much child support a non-custodial parent will pay to the custodial parent. The formula takes a variety of factors into account, such as each parent’s income, additional income that each parent may receive, taxes, how many children need support, how much time each parent spends with the child or children, medical expenses, day care costs, and any other relevant costs. The calculation may quickly become complicated, and it is often helpful to have an attorney examine your situation and help you understand how it works.
Once a child support order is in place, either parent may seek a modification by showing that there has been a “change in circumstances” that renders the existing order impractical. There are many situations in which a modification may be necessary, including when the income of one or both parents has changed, one parent has lost their job, one parent has been imprisoned, one parent has another child from another relationship, there is a shift in the timesharing arrangement, or the child’s needs have changed. You must be aware that until and unless the judge signs a new child support order, the existing order stays in effect.
Child support payments continue until the child turns 18. However, the obligation may persist until the child is 19 if they are in high school full-time, living at home, and unable to support themselves. If the child is incapacitated, there is no maximum-age ceiling limiting the parents’ duty. In some cases, a judge may determine a specific future event when the payments shall terminate, such as a child’s marriage.
Contact a Child Support Lawyer in the San Diego Area
Parents who are going through a divorce need a knowledgeable and trustworthy San Diego child support attorney to help them navigate the laws in this area. At the Law Offices of Roseline D. Feral, we can help you make sure that a support arrangement is fair, based on income and necessity. We proudly represent people in Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Jolla, Oceanside, Escondido, Ramona, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, El Cajon, La Mesa, Bonita, National City, Valley Center, and Vista, among other cities in Southern California. To discuss your child support concerns in more detail, contact us online or call our office at 619-232-1010 for a consultation. Alternatively, you may contact Roseline D. Feral directly at 619-301-1191 if you are seeking guidance from a divorce attorney.