Child Support Archives

August 19, 2026 / Child Support

What Happens if I Miss ONE Court-Ordered Child Support Payment?

Missing one court-ordered child support payment in California does not make the obligation disappear. Once support is unpaid, the amount can become past-due child support, commonly called arrears, and interest can accrue on the unpaid balance. A single missed payment can happen for many reasons, including job loss, an unexpected expense, or a payment-processing problem. […]

April 29, 2025 / Child Support

Child Support Payment Options

Parents are expected to support their child regardless of their relationship status with the child’s other parent. California has standard child support guidelines that calculate child support amounts for parents. Judges can deviate from the base amount for several reasons. When you pay court-ordered child support, your payments are usually handled by a Child Support […]

March 5, 2025 / Child Support

Is It Illegal to Not Pay Child Support in CA?

Regardless of whether the parents are in a relationship, they have a legal responsibility to provide for their children. When a court issues a child support order, the order is legally binding. Failing to comply with a child support order could result in numerous penalties, including criminal contempt of court. Contact a Los Angeles child […]

March 4, 2025 / Child Support

How to Calculate Child Support in California 2025

California Senate Bill 343 was signed into law on September 22, 2023. The law goes into effect on September 1, 2025. The new law significantly changes how child support is calculated in California. It also changes other aspects of child support. In this blog, our divorce lawyers in Los Angeles explain how to calculate child […]

January 16, 2025 / Child Support

The Truth About Child Support “Loopholes” in California

The California Family Code requires parents to contribute to their child’s support until the child is emancipated, turns 18 years old, or turns 19 years old if the child is in high school. Child support obligations require parents to continue providing financial support to their children regardless of their relationship with the child’s other parent. […]

January 14, 2025 / Child Support

How Long Do You Have to Pay Alimony?

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a payment (typically a series of payments) from one spouse to another, incident to a divorce. Such an arrangement makes sense under certain circumstances. Suppose, for example, that two college students marry. One spouse quits school to support the other spouse while they attend medical school. One spouse […]

July 2, 2024 / Child Support

What Are the Penalties for Missing Child Support Payments in California?

Most parents prioritize providing for their children. When parents are divorced, separated, or were never married, the court sometimes has to intervene and impose an order of child support against one of the parents–usually the parent who is not the primary caretaker of the child. For many parents subject to an order of child support, […]

May 8, 2024 / Child Support

How To Legally Avoid Paying Child Support in California

Regardless of the relationship status between parents, they have a legal obligation to financially support their children. California child support laws require parents to pay child support for their children until they turn 18 years old (19 years old if they are still in high school). However, what happens when a parent cannot afford to […]

November 9, 2023 / Child Support

How Is Child Support Calculated in California and Who May Be Required To Pay?

California uses statewide uniform child support guidelines for calculating the child support obligation a parent must pay. California Child Support Services provides an online child support calculator. The child support calculator uses a mandatory formula to calculate the child support obligation of each parent. Generally, the guidelines consider several factors including, but not limited to: […]

April 27, 2023 / Child Support

Why Do I Have To Pay Child Support if I Share 50/50 Custody?

Generally speaking, you must provide financial support for your child, regardless of your relationship with the child’s other parent. This remains true whether you are divorced or were never married in the first place. It also does not matter whether you are a custodial or a non-custodial parent. You are expected to pay your fair share of […]