I read a good article about child support. Please note that is general child support information for California. According to this article What Factors Go Into Determining Child Support?
Per the article in cases where parents are divorced or not married and living separately, most parents are familiar with the idea of child support. However, calculating child support and what goes into the calculation is a mystery to many. In California, in order to determine the correct amount of child support, one uses a Child Support calculator. For California we use Xspouse and Dissomaster as the two court approved calculators. You can use the computers in the courthouse or order reports online from various vendors.
Some items that are considered in determining the child support amount are inserted are: The number of days, out of a 365-day year, each parent has custody of the child. The “gross income” of both parents. Gross income is defined broadly. Suffice it to say that gross income means just that – the total amount of income, from virtually all sources, which each parent receives, including salary, bonuses, overtime, gifts, retirement income, pensions, interest in dividend income and even inheritances, prizes, and lottery winnings, among other things. The amount paid for health insurance. Per the article for example, if someone pays $500 per month in health insurance premiums. The above figures must be determined and inserted into the child support calculator before the correct amount of child support may be ascertained.
It’s common to run through with your attorney different numbers in the child support calculator based on estimations, can give someone a good idea of what child support may be in a case, and it is free to go online and check. Making sure one has the correct numbers and the correct information to insert into a calculator, however, is critical in determining the correct child support figure.
Another important item to consider is the tax implications of the parties as they relate to child support. Contacting an attorney with experience in the area can help ensure one is accurately informed and has the best information and strategy possible.