Child support in California can be complex. It includes factors such as the parents’ income, the number of children and the time the child has with each parent. Considerations for self-employed parents add another layer of complexity. Determining income In Torrance,...
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Child Support
Must you still pay child support if your ex keeps the child away?
Child support is a sensitive topic and can be difficult to navigate when it also involves issues of custody and access. A well-meaning parent might consider withholding support payments when the other parent is preventing access to the child or not following a custody...
How child support and alimony differ
The California Department of Health and Human Services reported a total of 220,519 child support cases in 2022. It is far more common than spousal support. Both serve crucial roles, yet they differ significantly in their purpose, structure and how they affect the...
Child support arrears and your driver’s license
Falling behind on child support payments could upend multiple aspects of your life. If you worry about enforcement actions, it is crucial to understand the potential consequences you could face for failing to pay child support on time. In fact, you could have to deal...
Do your child support payments increase when you get a raise?
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...
The long-term impact of parentification on your child
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...
Can you skip custody payments during financial hardship?
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...
Making child support payments online
If you owe child support as a non-custodial parent, or if you are getting a divorce and believe that you will have these obligations soon, it is important to understand the different ways you can make payments. Although many parents have support withheld by their...
Will I pay interest on overdue spousal support?
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...
Could I face contempt of court for not paying child support?
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...