Child support is a court-ordered payment made by one parent to the other to help cover the cost of raising a child. It is meant to support the child’s basic needs, including food, housing, clothing, education, and medical care. In California, both parents are legally responsible for supporting their children, regardless of marital status.
Typically, the parent who spends less time with the child (often called the “non-custodial parent”) pays support to the other. However, support can also be ordered when custody is split more evenly, depending on each parent’s income and resources. The goal is to make sure the child maintains a consistent standard of living across both households.
Child support generally continues until the child turns 18 and graduates high school—whichever happens later. If the child is still in high school full-time at 18, support continues until age 19 or graduation, whichever comes first. Support may continue longer for children with disabilities or if the parents agree in writing to extend it.
California uses a statewide formula to calculate child support. The court considers:
Support is typically calculated using a computer program like DissoMaster, which applies the legal formula to your specific situation.
Yes. The court looks at the gross income of both parents. This includes wages, bonuses, self-employment earnings, and certain benefits. If a parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court may “impute” income—assigning an income level based on work history or earning potential.
Yes. Parents can agree to a higher or lower amount than what the formula suggests, as long as the agreement is fair and meets the child’s needs. The court must still approve any support agreement to ensure it complies with California law.
Yes. Child support orders can be modified if there has been a significant change in circumstances. Common reasons include job loss, changes in income, a shift in custody or visitation, or new medical or educational expenses for the child. You must file a formal request with the court to make the change legally enforceable.
If a parent fails to pay court-ordered support, the other parent can ask the court to enforce the order. Enforcement tools include wage garnishment, property liens, license suspension, and even contempt of court charges. In Los Angeles County, the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) can also assist with enforcement efforts.
There’s no strict limit on how often you can request a modification, but the court will only grant a change if there is a valid reason. Filing repeated requests without a significant change may be denied and could affect your credibility with the court.
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No. Whether or not the parents were married, California applies the same child support laws. The key difference is that paternity (legal parentage) must be established before the court can issue a support order. This can be done voluntarily or through a court-ordered DNA test.
Yes. The Los Angeles County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) helps parents establish, enforce, and modify support orders. DCSS can represent the interests of the child, but does not represent either parent. Some family law cases are also handled directly through the courthouse without DCSS involvement.
Yes. If one parent moves out of state, California can still enforce a support order through the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA)\. This allows states to work together to ensure compliance, collect back support, and enforce wage garnishments.
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