When clients come into our office asking, “how much is all this going to cost?” they are often referring to the amount of child support and spousal support (alimony) to be paid or received. The simple, and honest answer to this question is that it depends, as there are many factors that affect the amount and duration of these awards. You will definitely need to spend some time with an experienced child support attorney to make sure your individual case is being heard.
Contact us now to schedule a consultation with our skilled Roseville child support attorneys.
Understanding Temporary & Post-Judgment Support
At Khatami Law, we look to clear away the confusion and manage the expectations of our clients when navigating spousal support issues. Depending on the circumstances, you may receive or be required to pay temporary or post-judgment support:
- Temporary Support: Temporary support is usually agreed upon by both parties shortly after separation, or ordered by the court. In short, temporary support is intended to help the dependent party maintain the standard of living he or she enjoyed during the marriage. For example, if one spouse maintained the family home and cared for the children, he or she may need time to find work or procure the skills necessary to begin a new job.
- Post-Judgment Support: An important factor in determining the amount and duration of support is the duration of the marriage itself. Although there are numerous other factors that need to be considered, the 10-year threshold is an important place to start. If the marriage lasted fewer than 10 years, the receiving spouse is very likely to only receive support for a period equaling half the length of the marriage. If the marriage lasted longer than 10 years, the receiving spouse may have a right to indefinite support. As mentioned, there are numerous other issues that need to be considered. Our team of attorneys can explain how the law applies to your case and provide you with a clear estimate of the amount you stand to receive or pay.
As for child support – California law provides that both parents have a duty “to support their child in the manner suitable to the child’s circumstances.” This duty continues so long as the child is not married or self-supporting, and is a full-time high school student, until the child turns 18 and completes 12th grade, or turns 19, whichever occurs first. That duty may continue beyond age 19 if the child is incapacitated and cannot be self-supporting.
How Much Child Support Will I Be Asked to Pay?
Like many other states, California’s child support guidelines are based on a mathematical formula. We can work with you to estimate the approximate amount of support you stand to pay or receive.
It’s important to note that special circumstances may alter the amount of payment. For example, if you and the other parent of your child have substantially different incomes, yet share equal time, the party with a greater income may be asked to contribute additional support. Another variable would be if your child has special medical needs and requires additional support to pay for treatments. In these and other cases, the courts may order a greater or lesser amount of support to be paid.
Similar to alimony or your child custody agreement, the details of your child support agreement may need to be modified as circumstances change. If a significant change in finances or time-sharing occurred, such as a job loss, it’s important to request a modification to prevent insufficient or missed payments. By contacting our family law attorneys, you will have an opportunity to ask questions, gather insight, and determine a strategy for securing a modification.
Call 916.788.4445 to get started or contact us online to request a consultation!
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