Comprehensive Child Support Guidance in San Diego

Understanding California's Child Support System

Obtaining child support can become extremely complicated. Many factors are taken into consideration, and these cases are often quite emotional. Allow the experienced San Diego child support lawyers from the Law Office of George Gedulin to help you through this experience with compassion and dedication. We have over two decades of experience in family law and want to help you win your case. Whether you are seeking to obtain child support, or the other parent of your child is seeking child support from you, you need an experienced San Diego child support attorney on your side.

Contact the Law Office of George Gedulin at (858) 281-4605 to schedule a case evaluation with our San Diego child support lawyer. 

Key Factors Influencing Child Support in San Diego

In California, both parents are responsible for supporting their child financially. Whether the parents are married, divorced, separated, or otherwise, they both have a legal obligation to contribute to the upbringing of their child. Child support comprises monthly payments made to support children by one of the parents. Typically, the parent with less or no custody is the one responsible for child support.

How is Child Support Determined?

In California, the amount of child support a parent is required to pay is determined based on factors including, but not limited to:

• The income of each parent
• The number of children requiring support
• The age of each child requiring support
• The custody agreement between parents
• Taxes owed by each parent
• Whether or not a parent supports children from another relationship
• Health insurance costs for each child
• The parents’ mandatory expenses relating to work

What Happens If Someone Falls Behind in Child Support Payments?

We highly recommend never falling behind on child support payments. If a parent misses any child support payments, they are required to pay interest charges on top of the amount of child support owed. Interest is accrued at 10 percent per year for support due on or after January 1, 1983.

Failing to make child support payments when you are capable of doing so is incredibly risky. If the court discovers that a parent is refusing to make payments even though they have enough money, said parent may be found to be in contempt of court. This can result in jail time.

Modifying Child Support Agreements in San Diego

Parents have the right to request a change in their child support agreement. This is often done when the parent paying child support experiences a change in his or her income, the parent receiving support experiences a change in income, or the amount of time each parent spends with the child changes. If you are a parent seeking to modify your child support agreement, we highly recommend ensuring you have proper representation.

What Can Child Support Be Used for in California?

Child support in California is structured to encompass a range of crucial expenses related to the child's welfare and upbringing. The financial assistance derived from child support is specifically allocated to fulfill the child's fundamental necessities and enhance their overall quality of life. Some common uses of child support in California include:

• Basic Living Expenses: Child support is meant to cover everyday costs such as food, clothing, and shelter. This ensures that the child has a safe and comfortable living environment.
• Education: Child support can be allocated to cover educational expenses, including school fees, supplies, and other related costs. This helps support the child's academic development.
• Healthcare: Child support often contributes to the child's healthcare needs, including medical insurance, co-pays, and other medical expenses. This ensures that the child has access to necessary medical care.
• Extracurricular Activities: Child support may be used to enable the child to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, music lessons, or other hobbies that contribute to their personal and social development.
• Childcare Costs: If the custodial parent requires childcare services for work or other reasons, child support can be used to cover these costs.

It's important to note that child support is tailored to the specific needs of the child, and the noncustodial parent's financial contribution is vital to securing the child's overall well-being. The court determines child support amounts based on various factors, and adherence to these financial obligations is crucial for the child's stability and growth. To learn more about child support in your particular case, set up a consultation with our San Diego child support attorney today.

Choose San Diego's Trusted Child Support Lawyers

An insufficient child support agreement can severely impact a child, as well as either of their parents. We want to help protect the rights of your family to prevent any unfair results. The San Diego child support lawyers at the Law Office of George Gedulin have significant experience handling family law cases and understand the sensitivity of the situation. We strive to keep our clients informed every step of the way which is why, for your peace of mind, you will have direct access to your attorney 24/7. Let our child support lawyers in San Diego fight to win your case.

For dedicated support in your child support case, reach out to our San Diego team or call the Law Office of George Gedulin today at (858) 281-4605.