When parents get divorced, one of the most important decisions they have to make is how child support will be handled. In California, both parents are financially responsible for supporting their children, even if one parent has sole custody. This means that child support must be established during the divorce process to ensure that the children continue to receive financial support from both parents. In this blog, our family law attorney at Law Offices of Michael D. Iverson, APC will discuss child support in detail and answer some of its most common questions.
Shared Financial Responsibility
In California, both parents are required to support their children after a divorce financially. This is because the state believes that it is in the child's best interest to have both parents involved in their life, even if they are not living together. Child support is meant to cover the child's basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing. It can also cover other expenses, such as child care and medical bills.
Child support is usually paid by the parent who does not have primary custody of the child. However, child support can be ordered to be paid by either parent depending on the circumstances of the divorce or each parent's income. For example, if one parent has a much higher income than the other, the court may order that parent to pay a higher percentage of child support.
How Is Child Support Established?
Child support is typically established during the divorce process at the same time as child custody. However, it can also be established through a child support hearing if the parents were never married or if paternity has to be established for the children.
At the child support hearing, the court will consider both parents' incomes and determine how much child support should be paid. The court may also consider other factors, such as each parent's ability to pay child support and the child's needs.
Once child support is established, it can be scheduled to pay monthly or in recurring periods. If child support is not paid by the responsible parent, a trusted child support attorney can help you address the situation and determine if court order enforcement is needed.
It is important to note that child support is not paid directly to the child. Instead, it is paid to the parent who will receive the payments. This is because the child support payment is meant to cover the child's basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing, which the parent will pay for.
Why Is Child Support Important?
Child support is important because it ensures that both parents are financially responsible for supporting their children after a divorce. This is especially important if one parent has sole custody of the child, as raising a child and financially providing can be expensive. With both parents financing the child’s upbringing, the child’s needs can be aptly met.
Child support is also important because it helps to cover the child's basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing. It can also help to cover other expenses, such as child care and medical bills, which the court might order additional child support to help cover.
Deeper Understanding. Better Solutions.
Child support can be confusing, especially if your family is undergoing a divorce or other complicated family law matters. Our family law attorney at Law Offices of Michael D. Iverson, APC can help you understand your child support obligations and answer any questions you may have about financially providing for your child after your divorce.
Are you undergoing a divorce with shared children? Schedule a free consultation with our family law attorney by calling (951) 418-2770.