| Answer: California has a child support guideline that is used in all cases to determine the proper amount of child support. The factors that should be considered are the income of the parents and the amount of time they have responsibility for taking care of the children. In addition to the basic amount of child support, the guideline provides that parents share the costs of daycare necessary for the parents to work and non-reimbursed medical expenses. Child support may also include expenses to meet special needs, such as tutors and transportation to visits with each parent. Both parents will be ordered to keep their child covered by medical insurance if it is available at no cost or at reasonable cost to both parents. Parents who are divorcing or separating may agree on the child support plan, but a judge must approve the amount of child support payments. When parents cannot agree on child support, the judge decides what the payment amount will be. Either parent may later ask the judge to change the amount if there has been a significant change of circumstances. See Form 1285.79, Information Sheet on Changing a Child Support Order. Each county has a family law facilitator who is available at no cost to help prepare forms, calculate child support according to the guideline, and provide information about how the court makes child support decisions. The facilitator can also help parents who need to collect child support that the court has ordered. In addition, each county has a local child support enforcement agency that can help parents collect child support at no charge. Child support payments are usually made until children reach the age of 18, or age 19 if they are still in high school. |
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