Gale, Angelo, Johnson & Patrick P.C.

Navigating Child Support Laws in California 

Providing Financial Stability for Your Children After Separation or Divorce 

Child support plays an essential role in ensuring the well-being of children when parents part ways. However, the legal terrain surrounding child support can be intricate, leaving parents in need of clear guidance. At Gale, Angelo, Johnson & Patrick P.C., our experienced child support attorneys are dedicated to assisting parents in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, Yuba, Sutter, El Dorado and Nevada counties in understanding and navigating the complexities of child support laws. This comprehensive guide will empower you with the knowledge required to pursue, establish, modify, and enforce child support orders in California. 

What Expenses Does Child Support Cover for Children? 

Child support aims to cover the reasonable expenses essential for a child’s care and well-being, including food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, school supplies, childcare, and extracurricular activities. It can also encompass previously unpaid amounts and any accrued interest. At our family law office, we’re committed to helping parents secure the full child support their children are entitled to under California family law. 

The Process for Opening a Child Support Case 

To initiate a new child support case in California, parents must begin by completing an application with their local Child Support Services office. This application involves providing detailed personal and financial information, including: 

  • A maternity/paternity questionnaire 
  • Family violence information, if applicable 
  • Health insurance details 
  • Statements of income, assets, and expenses 
  • Records of any past child support payments 

Accurate disclosure of this information is vital, as it forms the foundation for determining child support obligations. Once the application is submitted, the next step involves filing a legal complaint against the other parent, seeking child support payments. This obligates the other parent to provide a formal response within 30 days to avoid a default judgment. If the other parent’s location is unknown, our child support attorneys can provide guidance on locating them for proper service of the complaint. 

For unmarried parents, establishing paternity may be a prerequisite for pursuing child support. Methods such as DNA testing can legally confirm parentage. However, California law also recognizes certain situations that establish a presumption of paternity, including: 

  • Being married to the mother at the time of birth 
  • Birth occurring within 300 days of the end of a marriage 
  • Voluntarily signing the birth certificate 

With the guidance of our experienced family law attorneys, we can determine the appropriate course of action to establish legal paternity and move forward with your child support case. 

Seeking a Stipulated Agreement or Court Child Support Order 

Once a child support case is opened, California family law provides two primary options for establishing child support obligations: 

  • Voluntary Stipulated Agreement: Parents can mutually agree to a stipulated agreement filed with the court, specifying child support amounts and terms from each parent. This allows you to determine the details amicably without protracted court proceedings. 
  • Court Child Support Order: If parents cannot reach an agreement, the court reviews relevant financial records, income details, and other factors to issue a binding child support order. 

At our law office, our skilled family law attorneys can help negotiate favorable stipulated agreements when possible or vigorously advocate for a sufficient child support order in contested cases. 

How California Child Support Laws Calculate Payments 

California employs state-approved child support software and detailed income data to determine appropriate payment amounts. The court examines all sources of gross income minus certain expenses and contributions. Factors considered include: 

  • Wages/salaries 
  • Self-employment income 
  • Commissions and bonuses 
  • Spousal support received 
  • Unemployment benefits 
  • Disability payments 
  • Investments and rental property income 
  • Any other assets 

Accurately documenting all income and expenses in your declaration is crucial. Our experienced family law attorneys can optimize this process to yield favorable results. 

Modifying or Terminating Existing Child Support Orders 

While child support orders are legally binding, certain situations may warrant modifications or terminations through proper legal channels. Reasons for modification may include: 

  • Loss of employment 
  • Significant increase or decrease in income 
  • Custody changes 
  • Unique circumstances like military service 
  • Emancipation or the child reaching the age of majority 

Our skilled Sacramento child support lawyers have extensive experience handling modifications as per the California family code. We provide counsel on the most suitable approach for your specific circumstances. 

Enforcing Child Support Orders Against Delinquent Parents 

When owed child support goes unpaid, California law offers enforcement mechanisms to hold delinquent parents accountable. Some potential remedies include: 

  • Wage garnishments 
  • Tax refund interception 
  • Bank or property liens 
  • Driver’s license suspension 
  • Professional/occupational license suspension 
  • Contempt of court charges 

Our dedicated team handles enforcement actions against delinquent parents to ensure that children receive the court-ordered support they are legally entitled to. 

Partner with Our Northern California Child Support Attorneys Today 

At Gale, Angelo, Johnson & Patrick P.C., our unwavering focus is on providing exceptional legal representation to clients with family law needs, such as divorce, child custody, support, and complex property division. Our proven child support attorneys have the knowledge and resources to help parents obtain, modify, or enforce child support correctly. 

Whether you’re seeking child support for the first time or need legal guidance related to an existing order, contact our law offices today at (916) 290-7778 X1 to schedule a consultation. Let our 25+ years of combined family law experience work for you and your children. We’re here to support you in navigating the complexities of child support in California.