California child support guidelines
Algebraic income-shares formula (Family Code § 4055) with timeshare percentage central to the calculation.
Algebraic income-shares formula (Family Code § 4055) with timeshare percentage central to the calculation.
Source: California Family Code § 4055
This jurisdiction combines both parents' incomes to estimate what would have been spent on the children, then divides that obligation proportionally.
Shared-time credit begins at 73 overnights/year using the cross-credit method. Adjusted obligation cannot fall below 25% of base.
Schedule applies up to $30,000/mo combined. Income may be imputed when underemployment is found.
Health insurance premiums, work-related childcare, and uninsured medical are added on top of basic support and split by income share.
Self-support reserve of $1,383/mo is preserved before support is calculated. Statutory minimum order: $100/mo.
Modifications generally require a 20% change in circumstances and may be reviewed every 3 years. Support continues to age 18 — and may extend through education.
Enforced by California DCSS via wage assignment, license suspension, and tax intercepts.
Courts may deviate from guideline amounts when fairness requires. Imputed income may apply if a parent is voluntarily underemployed.