Riverside Child Support Law Firm

Child Support Overview

Child support is monetary payments that are made by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent.  Support payments are made to ensure the security and well-being of the parent’s child.  Payments are made until the child reaches the legal age of 18.  However, in some cases, the duration of the child support payments may be extended.  These payments cover the cost of the child’s food, shelter, educational expenses, medical expenses, and other day-to-day necessities. 

Getting Child Support

If you believe that you are entitled to child support, and you are a custodial parent, you will have to file a case with your county family court to get an order for child support.  If you are currently filing for a divorce or going through the divorce process, you will have to file a Petition for Custody and Support of Minor Children and Summons.  By filing a petition, you will ask the judge presiding over your divorce proceedings to review your case and make a final child support judgment toward the end of your divorce proceedings.    

If you are ready to file for child support, it is always a good idea to review your legal options with a skilled family law attorney who has handled prior child support cases, such as the Riverside family law attorneys at the Law Offices of H. William Edgar.  

Child Support & Enforcement

Once an order for child support has been made by the California family court, it must be adhered to by the non-custodial parent.  The non-custodial parent is responsible for providing for his/her child’s day-to-day necessities and maintaining the child’s standard of living.  In most, if not all cases, child support is automatically deducted from the non-custodial parent’s pay check by wage assignment.  This guarantees that the custodial parent will receive payments on a monthly basis.  

Unfortunately, some parents find ways to avoid making their child support payments.  If a parent fails to make his/her child support payments, he/she will be subject to legal ramifications.  For example, the custodial parent can file an “earnings withholding order” to obtain past due payments from the non-custodial parent.  This can lead to additional funds being withdrawn from the non-custodial parent’s pay check to make up for past due payments.  Additionally, any parent who is severely past due on his/her child support payments can be held in “contempt of court”, and may be subject to large fines or jail time.   

Paying Child Support

If you have been ordered to pay child support, you will be responsible for making monthly payments to your child’s custodial parents.  In most cases, child support payments are automatically deducted from the non-custodial parent’s paycheck.  After payment has been deducted, it is sent to the custodial parent by the state of California. 

It is important to remember that the non-custodial parent is also responsible for notifying the court, the child’s other parent, and child support agencies if he/she moves, changes addresses, or obtains new employment.  If there is a change of employment or income, it is also important that the non-custodial parent notifies the court, as child support payments may have to be adjusted. 

How Much Will Child Support Cost?

After a parent has filed for child support, the court must review a variety of factors before determining a set child support payment.  Some of these factors include:  the net income of the custodial parent, the net income of the non-custodial parent, and the number of children needing support.  Once the court has totaled the income of both parents, it will factor in a percentage of the non-custodial parent’s income.  This percentage will then be multiplied by the number of children who are eligible for support.  The amount of child support to be paid will vary case-to-case. 

Riverside Child Support Attorney

If you plan to file for child support, or if you are being asked to pay child support, it is imperative that you speak with an experienced Riverside family law attorney who is extremely knowledgeable of California child support law.  By working closely with a credible Riverside lawyer, you will receive the answers and direction you need throughout your child support case.  You will also receive the representation you need to be successful in court and out of court.  A Riverside child support attorney can provide you with extensive resources and legal options, which can make a positive difference in the outcome of your case. 

At the Law Offices of H. William Edgar, we have been helping clients and their families for years.  Contact our Law Offices today for your free case evaluation.

We represent clients with child custody, child support, and adoption matters in:  Riverside, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Temecula, Hemet, and Murrieta counties.