California Child Support Calculator 2025

California child support averages $400 to $1,500 per month. The exact amount depends on both parents' income. Courts use a state calculator to determine payments. Higher earner parents typically pay more support.

The minimum child support in California is $50 per month. This applies when the paying parent earns very little income. Courts rarely order less than this amount. Some cases may have zero support orders.

Use the California child support calculator on the court website. Enter both parents' monthly gross income amounts. Add childcare and health insurance costs. The calculator shows the exact payment amount.

Yes, you can modify child support when circumstances change significantly. File a motion with the family court. Income changes of 20% or more qualify for modification. New custody arrangements also allow changes.

California will garnish your wages for unpaid child support. The state can suspend your driver's license. Bank accounts may be frozen or seized. Tax refunds get intercepted for back support.

Child support ends when the child turns 18 years old. Support continues until age 19 if still in high school. Disabled adult children may receive lifelong support. College expenses are not automatically required.

California child support does not automatically include college costs. Parents can agree to pay college expenses separately. Courts rarely order college support unless agreed upon. Financial aid considers both parents' income regardless.

File a motion to terminate child support with the court. Provide proof your child is now an adult. Support stops automatically when conditions are met. Don't stop paying until the court orders it.

All income sources count toward child support calculations. This includes wages, bonuses, and self-employment earnings. Rental income and investment returns also count. Unemployment benefits and disability payments are included.

Yes, child support can be deducted from unemployment benefits. California automatically withholds up to 50% for support. The Employment Development Department handles these deductions. Benefits may be reduced significantly.

Contact the Department of Child Support Services for enforcement help. They can garnish wages and seize assets. License suspension and contempt of court are options. Professional licenses can also be suspended.

California charges 10% annual interest on unpaid child support. Interest accrues on all past-due amounts automatically. This rate is set by state law. Interest cannot be waived by agreement.

Yes, you can request retroactive child support in California. Support can go back to the child's birth. You must file a court case first. The other parent's income during that period matters.

Equal custody time can reduce child support payments significantly. The higher-earning parent may still pay some support. Actual time spent with each parent matters most. Transportation and activity costs are also considered.

California updated income calculation guidelines for self-employed parents. New rules address cryptocurrency and gig economy earnings. Digital asset disclosure requirements were added. Enforcement penalties increased for non-payment.

Grandparents can receive child support if they have legal custody. They must go through the same court process. Biological parents remain financially responsible for their children. Foster care situations have different rules.

Apply online through the California Child Support Services website. You can also visit your local child support office. Provide birth certificates and income information. There is no cost to apply.

Your remarriage does not change existing child support obligations. A new spouse's income is not considered typically. However, reduced living expenses might affect modifications. The biological parent's duty continues regardless.

Yes, parents can agree on child support amounts privately. The agreement must be approved by a judge. Court approval makes the agreement legally enforceable. Guideline amounts are still recommended starting points.

Child support obligations may continue through the deceased parent's estate. Life insurance policies can provide ongoing support payments. The estate executor handles these payments until resolved. Support typically ends with the parent's death.

Check your court paperwork for the case number. Call your local child support office for help. Use the California Child Support Services online portal. The case number appears on all official documents.

No, child support must be paid to the custodial parent. Payments cannot go directly to minor children legally. The receiving parent manages the money for expenses. Direct payments to children don't count officially.

There is no statute of limitations on collecting child support. Past-due support can be collected indefinitely in California. Interest continues to accrue on unpaid amounts. Collection efforts can continue after the child reaches adulthood.

Child support payments are not tax deductible for payers. Recipients do not report child support as taxable income. Keep detailed records of all payments made. Consult a tax professional for complex situations.

Yes, unemployed fathers can still owe child support. Courts may assign minimum wage income for calculations. Job search requirements may be court-ordered. Previous work history helps determine earning capacity.