New Child Support Changes Effective September 1, 2024

California’s new child support changes, effective September 1, 2024, will be another step towards balancing the financial responsibilities of parents while making sure children’s best interests are met. These changes are a reflection of the state’s continued efforts to make child support fair and equitable. They will impact various aspects of child support, such as the child support guidelines, and it is crucial for parents and guardians to understand them, as they will reshape arrangements.

Key Adjustments to California Child Support Laws

The child support system in California is designed to make sure children receive sufficient financial support from both of their parents. The new changes are intended to be more reflective of the cost of living in various areas of the state and different family dynamics. Here are a few of the most significant adjustments:

The Child Support Guidelines

New child support guidelines will be implemented to determine child support payments throughout the state of California. These new guidelines include adjustments for people with low income, rules for dealing with childcare and uninsured healthcare costs, and revised methods for calculating support. This overhaul of the child support guidelines is intended to account for the actual financial capabilities of parents while ensuring the well-being of children.

The Child Support Formula

The child support formula is used to calculate how much a non-custodial parent must pay in child support. The formula takes into account both parents’ disposable income, the amount of time each parent physically spends with the child, the number of children, and any other relevant factors. The new formula includes the following changes:

• Adjusted income allocations – An adjustment to the amount of both parents’ income that will be allocated for child support. Parents with a high combined income will have more income allocated, while the opposite will be true for parents with a low combined income.
• Revised income brackets – The income brackets that are used to calculate support have been changed to reflect the cost of living and current economic conditions.
• More consideration for parenting time – The new formula better considers shared custody arrangements. This is an important change for parents or guardians who have nearly equal custody. Their financial responsibilities can be distributed more evenly.

This new formula is particularly beneficial to low-income individuals as it ensures that their child support obligations better represent their financial circumstances.

Add-Ons

Add-ons are additional expenses needed for a child that are not usually included in the basic child support amount. These can include healthcare costs, childcare costs, educational expenses, and more. With the new changes, add-ons will be handled differently going forward. Necessary add-ons, such as healthcare and childcare, will be distributed proportionally between both parents based on their incomes, instead of being presumed to be 50/50.

Additional Sources of Income

The new child support laws include a broader definition of what is considered income, which is a very significant change. The expanded list ensures that all of a parent’s available financial resources are taken into account for support calculations, accurately reflecting their ability to make payments. The new sources of income include:

• Severance pay
• Non-need-based veterans’ benefits
• Military BAH and BAS

The new laws also reinforce the concept of imputed income, where the court determines the earning capacity of a parent who is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed. The court will require evidence of the parent’s circumstances when determining their potential for income.

How A California Family Law Attorney Can Help You

When you are navigating the new child support changes that will soon go into effect, a family law attorney can provide valuable assistance. They can make sure you understand how specific changes may impact your situation and work hard to protect your rights and interests during the process. Here are some ways a Vista child support lawyer can assist you:

1. Helpful Guidance – A skilled lawyer will have in-depth knowledge of the state’s revised child support guidelines and can let you know how the revisions apply to your case. They can make sure you understand all of the changes to the guidelines, explaining each one to you in clear terms.
2. Aggressive Advocacy – During your child support proceedings, your lawyer can make sure your voice is being heard and advocate for your rights. They will be diligent in protecting your rights and the rights of your children, ensuring that the amounts of support calculated are reasonable and fair for everyone involved.
3. Negotiations and Mediation – Child support disputes are often resolved through negotiations between parents. An attorney can help make these discussions go as smoothly as possible. In instances where negotiations become contentious, your attorney can serve as a mediator to reduce tensions and focus on reaching a mutually agreed upon solution.
4. Legal Representation – It is essential to have an experienced lawyer in your corner in the event that your case goes to court. Your lawyer can handle the complexities of the legal system on your behalf and prepare a strong case to support you.
5. Ensure Compliance – Your attorney can make sure all terms of your child support agreement are in compliance with the updated guidelines, protecting you from any potential disputes or legal complications in the future.

Working with a family law attorney who is familiar with California’s updated child support laws makes certain that you will be able to confidently navigate the new changes. You can rest assured that you will be able to reach an amicable solution and secure a fair outcome for you and your family.

When Permanent Spousal Support Ends

For divorced spouses receiving permanent support who were married for ten years or more, these payments can end under certain circumstances. Here are a few reasons why they could end:

• The spouse paying the support is 65 or older and is retiring
• The spouse paying support suddenly has a lower income or more financial responsibilities
• The spouse receiving support suddenly receives a higher income
• The spouse receiving support remarries

The conditions for ending spousal support should be stated within the separation agreement.

Paula D. Kleinman: Your Experienced Family Law Attorney

The new child support changes in California represent an important shift in how child support payments are calculated and managed. The updates to the guidelines, procedures, and calculation formula seek to create a system that is more balanced for all parties. While dealing with these changes can seem frightening, enlisting the help of a lawyer well-versed in family law can make a big difference.

Remember that the ultimate goal of child support is to ensure the well-being of your child. With support from an experienced attorney and a readiness to work collaboratively with the other parent, you can successfully adjust to the new guidelines. Contact us today to learn more about the new laws.