Divorcing a spouse can be an overwhelming experience. This is particularly true if you have children together. You want to be confident that when your divorce is finalized, the best interests of your children remain a priority.
In California, courts protect children in these circumstances through various means. One way courts protect children is by ordering a spouse to pay child support.
Because raising and caring for a child can be financially burdensome, when two spouses divorce one another, it is often necessary for the more financially well-off spouse to provide monetary assistance to their ex. Ideally, child support payments can be used to help cover a child’s medical bills, educational needs, and various other expenses associated with a child’s upbringing.
California family courts generally strive to ensure child support arrangements serve the child’s best interests. However, there is no denying that these matters are very complex. To optimize your chances of arriving at a fair child-support arrangement, strongly consider enlisting the help of a qualified Newport Beach child-support attorney. Family law attorney Teresa Beyers is available to provide the representation both you and your children deserve.
Calculating Child Support in California: What You Need to Know
Typically, courts will first address issues regarding child custody and visitation before moving on to child support matters. As of now, nearly half of all custodial parents receive the full amount of child support awarded by a court. Research also indicates that the vast majority of child support arrangements are formalized by courts, although there are some instances in which informal child support agreements between two spouses are recognized.
Courts will account for a wide range of factors when determining who should pay child support and how much they should pay. Such factors tend to include:
- Each parent’s net disposable income
- Income taxes
- Union dues
- Health insurance premiums
- How many minor children are in need of financial support
- The nature of time-sharing arrangements
- Whether there are any other supported children outside of the marriage
- A child’s healthcare costs
These are just common examples. It’s important to understand that every child support case is unique. There may be additional costs to consider when determining how much child support should be paid.
This is one of the many reasons it is wise to enlist the help of a qualified Newport Beach child support attorney when going through a divorce. We will carefully review your case and account for all relevant factors when discussing child support arrangements with the court. Our representation will play a critical role in ensuring that the finalized child support arrangement is fair and appropriate for all parties involved.
Contact a Newport Beach Child Support Attorney Today
You may feel helpless when the court is calculating child support payments for you during your divorce. This does not need to be the case.
Newport Beach child support attorney Teresa Beyers has years of experience helping clients like yourself navigate these complex situations. Her assistance will give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing a legal professional is representing you throughout every step of the process. Learn more about how our team can help by contacting our offices online or calling us at 213-236-4400 to schedule a consultation.