Santa Ana Child Support Lawyer Who Fights For The Well-Being of Your Children
The effects of a divorce can be distressing and disheartening, especially if children are involved. Children can be resilient during times of crisis, such as during a divorce, but children should be protected from losing everything they know in one fell swoop. Losing the cohesiveness of your family can be a major challenge to your children, but that challenge can be softened by the continued financial support provided by your spouse. While children are resilient, it is best to keep them as distant from the process as possible so that they can continue the healing process that is essential after a divorce.
What is Child Support?
Child support is meant to provide financial support for your children in order to protect your interests and the well-being children involved in the divorce. According to California law, each parent is required to provide financial support for their child(ren). If one parent has full custody, they are providing support for the child. To gain financial support from the other parent, child support should be sought through an Orange County Family Law firm. Child support allows the child to live in the same standard of living he/she enjoyed while living with both parents before the event of divorce. Monthly child support payments typically continue until the child(ren) reach 18 years of age.
How is Child Support Calculated?
The amount awarded for child support is calculated by the Family Law judge mediating your case. Unfortunately, calculating child support in California is complicated. Determining the amount awarded for child support depends on the following:
- The income of each parent
- The amount of time each parent physically spent with the child(ren) (Known as the “J” Factor)
- Childcare expenses
- Mortgage payments
- Tax filing status
- Other factors that determine family income
While this may not seem complicated, the truth is that calculating child support is so complicated that Orange County Family Law courts use a software program known as “Dissomaster™” to determine the amount of monthly child support payments. It is the responsibility of each parent to provide the information needed to make the calculations. Bring this information with you for your first meeting with your family law attorney.
What is the Next Step?
Gaining the financial support you need to provide for the well-being of your children is an important task that should be undertaken by a top Orange County child support lawyer who has a track record of success. To begin the process of gaining financial support for your children, or if you believe that your child support payments should be adjusted, please contact the experienced Santa Ana family law attorneys at the Gonzalez Law Firm today for your free initial consultation.