California Child Support: How Numbers Become Orders
A quick tour of guideline support — the inputs, the outputs, and where discretion fits in.
Core inputs
- Income: W-2 wages, self-employment, bonuses, overtime, and imputed earning capacity in some cases.
- Timeshare: Percentage of custodial time for each parent.
- Deductions: Taxes, mandatory retirement, health premiums, and other allowed adjustments.
When numbers shift
Support orders can be modified after a material change: income shifts, new childcare costs, health insurance changes, or significant parenting time adjustments.
Local practice notes
In San Bernardino County, well-documented income (pay stubs, profit-and-loss statements, W-2s/1099s) speeds hearings. Where self-employment is involved, clear expense categorization prevents delays.
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Questions About Child Support?
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