Child Support Attorneys in Orange County

Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, Orange County Women Lawyers Association, OCTLA, OCWLAEvery child deserves to be supported by both of their parents. While the court cannot require that both parents provide physical, mental, and emotional support to their child, it can require both parents to provide the financial support they need to thrive.

Whether you are divorced from your child’s other parent or have never been married to them, you may be expected to pay or receive child support.

Whichever side of the equation you find yourself on, a strong attorney can protect your best interests and do what is best for your child. Start your search with our list of Orange County child support lawyers below.

Helpful Information About Choosing an Orange County Child Support Lawyer

  • You can research the Bar license status, suspensions or reprimands of an attorney at the California Bar Association website.
  • The California Bar Association offers a “Specialist” certification for family attorneys, if they choose to pursue it. Not every one who is facing a child support dispute needs a California Bar Certified Family Law Specialist, but some people prefer a lawyer who is specialized in this area of law. Certified family law specialists tend to require a higher rate than non-certified lawyers.
  • Child support lawyers typically require an initial retainer for services, often $1,000 – $2,500 or more depending on the complexities of your circumstances.

Your Child’s Best Interest

Under California law, the goal of child support is to serve the child’s best interest. The law accounts for both parents’ standard of living and attempts to equalize the child’s quality of life at both homes.

Factors That Influence Child Support

State guidelines account for a range of factors in an attempt to treat both parents fairly while doing what is right for the child. Some of the factors used to adjust child support include:

  • Each parent’s income
  • Each parent’s ability to earn an income
  • The amount of children the parents have together and from other partners
  • How the child’s time is divided
  • Who pays health insurance
  • Childcare expenses
  • Extraordinary needs the child may have—for example, a child with significant disabilities may have much higher medical expenses than most other children, and this would need to be accounted for.

Orange County Child Support Lawyers:

Robert Rettenmaier

Robert Rettenmaier

Pinkham & Associates, APLC

Pinkham & Associates, APLC

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How Child Support is Calculated in California

The Statewide Uniform Guideline is used to calculate child support. It accounts for how much the parents bring in together, how much disposable income the higher earning parent brings in, and how much time the higher earning parent spends with the child. As the higher earning parent spends more time with the child, their child support contribution decreases.

While the court does use this calculation, there are situations where it’s appropriate to deviate from the final number. It’s important to talk to an attorney about your child support case to find out if your case falls outside standard parameters.

Child Support Attorneys Near Me:

Baron Legal...

12437 Lewis Street, Suite 204 Garden Grove, CA 92840
12437 Lewis Street, Suite 204 Garden Grove, CA 92840

Blonska Firm, PC...

17822 Seventeenth St. Suite. 407 Tustin, CA 92780
17822 Seventeenth St. Suite. 407 Tustin, CA 92780

RM Law Group...

333 City Blvd West 17th Floor Orange, CA 92868
333 City Blvd West 17th Floor Orange, CA 92868

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12900 Garden Grove Blvd #132, Garden Grove, CA 92843
12900 Garden Grove Blvd #132, Garden Grove, CA 92843

How to Navigate Child Support Modifications in California with an Orange County Divorce Attorney

Circumstances change, and when they do, your child support order may no longer be appropriate. In order to request a modification or termination of child support, a parent must prove that the situation has changed enough to warrant a modification. Examples include:

  • Either parent losing a job
  • A significant increase or decrease in income
  • A significant and unavoidable increase in expenses
  • Changes in parenting time

After reviewing the information, the court will determine whether or not to change the order and how much to change it. Note that the court does not consider who is filing when looking at the evidence. It is entirely possible for one parent to request a modification, only to have it modified in the other parent’s favor. Talking to an attorney about your options can save you stress, time, and money.

If child support has been weighing heavy on your mind, let a child support attorney in Orange County guide you through the process. Explore our list of lawyers and start contacting those near you.

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