Child Support

Divorce proceedings often alter a family's financial situation. In many cases, the final decree dictates how much money the higher-earning parent gives to the other for child support. The arrangement aims to help the children enjoy the same quality of life and prevent...

Parentification is a term unfamiliar to many parents. As a result, many fail to recognize when it happens to their children. It may seem to be nothing more than the normal contribution to a household to many. This is how so many justify it. However, parentification...

Child custody is an expense you will need to budget each month. Not adequately planning for it could cause stress when you remember a payment deadline and have no money to cover those costs. If you encounter financial hardship, you may consider skipping your custody...

A court order to pay spousal support obligates you to pay your former spouse according to the schedule laid out in the order. Some people miss out on a payment or two, perhaps due to circumstances beyond their control. If you are late with a payment, you will likely...

If you have to pay child support, you have an order from a court to do so. As with any court order, you have a legal obligation to follow it or face punishments. The Judicial Branch of California explains you could potentially face a contempt of court charge if you do...

When you and your California spouse part ways, you may decide to pursue spousal support if you were the lower-earning party in your relationship. The same holds true if you put your career or schooling on hold for the sake of your husband or wife. When deciding...

Just as you had several financial considerations as part of dissolving your marriage, the same applies to the child custody and child support aspect of your divorce. How much should you expect to pay or receive?  Money Crashers explains factors courts consider when...

Child support is simply money one parent pays to the other to provide for the needs of the child. Because a parent’s support obligation stems from a court order, there are serious consequences for falling behind on support payments or stopping them altogether. In some...

Despite your divorce, you and your ex-spouse must still work together to raise your shared child, which requires one of you to pay child support. Do you know which expenses qualify for child support? Our Family Wizard explains how divorced couples may use child...