Experienced Guidance From A California Child Support Attorney

At the Law Offices of Lynda Sheridan, our founding attorney knows California family law inside and out. As a certified family law specialist through the California Board of Legal Specialization, attorney Sheridan has met the highest standards of experience and education in her field. This elite certification means her expertise lies within various complex areas of family law, including the high-stakes financial calculations required for child support.

Because she has passed a rigorous “mini-bar” exam focused exclusively on these matters, she can identify nuances in income and tax law that general practitioners often miss. Her specialized training ensures that whether you are establishing, enforcing or modifying a support order, your family’s financial interests are protected by a recognized expert.

Calculating Child Support In California

In California, courts typically calculate child support using a complicated algebraic formula – a formula that becomes increasingly complex if you or your child’s other parent is a high-wage earner, such as a business owner, lawyer, doctor or professional athlete.

While often difficult to understand without legal guidance, this formula primarily examines two important factors when calculating child support in California, including:

• The income of both parents
• The child custody arrangement and the time each parent spends with the child

California courts apply this same formula regardless of whether you are going through a divorce or are involved in a possible paternity action.

Can California Courts Ever Deviate From The Child Support Formula?

Even though California law presumes child support obligations established using the predetermined formula are correct, the court can deviate from these amounts in very specific circumstances, such as when a parent is a high-wage earner.

For instance, if a court is ordering you to pay child support, but you have an extraordinarily high income, the court can deviate from the support obligation calculated using the formula since this amount would greatly exceed the needs of the child. If the court determines a departure from the formula is warranted, the burden then shifts to the other parent to prove the child’s needs justify the larger child support obligation – a burden that is subjective.

Reach Out To Our Family Law Firm Today

Consult with a lawyer to learn what your rights and options may be. If you have questions about child support or paternity actions in California, the Law Offices of Lynda Sheridan can help. With more than 30 years of legal experience, attorney Sheridan understands the intricacies of child support law in California, particularly when it comes to high-wage earners.

For a free 30-minute telephone consultation with a skilled lawyer, reach out to us online or call us at 310-272-5357. From our office in Beverly Hills, we represent clients throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, including Orange County.