There are few things more important to a divorcing parent than being able to ensure his or her child’s well-being after a divorce. In many cases, one of the only ways that a child’s well-being can be protected is through receiving regular child support payments from the other parent. If you are getting divorced in California and require child support, you should strongly consider reaching our to our experienced Los Angeles family law attorneys to learn more about how child support works and how our legal team can assist you through every step of the legal process ahead. Here are some of the questions you may have:
How is child support calculated in California?
There are several factors that California courts will consider when determining a child support structure. In most cases, the two most important factors are your child’s needs/best interests and you and your former spouse’s financial circumstances. Typically, the financially independent parent is the one who has to make support payments to the financially dependent parent. To receive child support in CA, you will first have to file a court order. In most cases, support will begin on the date that the order is filed. Remember that in CA, child support is not retroactive before filing, so if you require child support, you should always file as soon as possible. Our firm can get the ball rolling.
How long does a child support agreement stay in place?
Typically, child support is terminated when a child reaches the age of 18, or when he or she graduates high school. That being said, in many cases, you can request either an extension on child support past the age of 18, and you can also request early termination of child support before the child turns 18. For example, if your child plans on attending college or higher education, you may request an extension on your child support agreement to help support your child through college. However, on the flip side, if your child is not yet 18 but is emancipated or otherwise financially independent, as long as you can prove that he or she no longer requires child support payments, you may request early termination of your child support agreement. Child support is notoriously complex in California, as with many areas of family law, there are often gray areas. For any additional questions, please give us a call today.
Contact our experienced Los Angeles firm
Divorce and family law issues are notoriously complicated and personal, which is why you must hire an attorney with years of experience, as well as the compassion and skill needed to handle these sensitive matters. For the qualified, dedicated legal representation you and your family deserve and need, contact Zitser Family Law Group, APC today.
