If I make $60,000 a year, how much child support would I pay?

In California, child support isn’t set by a flat percentage of income. If you earn $60,000 a year (around $5,000 per month), the payment amount depends on parenting time, your co-parent’s income, and additional expenses. The court applies a statewide formula to determine child support. You can use a child support calculator for an estimate tailored to your details.

If I make $80,000 a year, how much child support would I pay?

There is no fixed child support amount based on income alone in California. If you earn $80,000 a year (about $6,667 per month), your child support payment depends on several factors, including your parenting time, the other parent’s income, and costs like health insurance and childcare.

California Child Support Calculator

In less than 60 seconds, get a clear estimate of what you might pay or receive.

Estimate What You May Pay or Receive Based on California Law

This California Child Support Calculator provides an initial estimate of the potential child support payments using basic information, simplifying the calculation. These values are a rough estimate, not legal advice, and your child support terms may differ.

If you have questions or would like to obtain a full calculation based on the California guidelines, please contact us.

Disclaimer: This calculator is only intended to provide an estimate of monthly child support payments. The estimates provided are not and should not be considered legal advice, nor should they be considered accurate. For an exact calculation of child support payments, please contact an attorney.

Child Support Calculator

How to Use our 2025 California Child Support Calculator

This easy child support calculator is designed to give you a fast, helpful estimate of what child support could look like in your situation.

Using it takes just a few minutes, and it provides an estimate that you can use to plan ahead or consult with a lawyer.

Here’s what to enter:

Net Monthly Income

Enter what you actually take home each month after taxes, for both parents.

Number of Children

Select how many children are part of this support case.

Parenting Time (Custody Percentage)

Estimate what percentage of time the children spend with the higher-earning parent. If you're not sure, try using days or overnights as a rough guide.

What You’ll Get:

The calculator will display an estimated monthly child support amount based on a simplified version of California’s guideline formula.

Remember: This is just an estimate. The court can adjust this amount based on your specific situation.

How Is Child Support Calculated in California (2025)?

California courts use a standardized formula to calculate child support, as outlined in Family Code § 4055. It’s designed to ensure that support is fair based on both parents’ incomes and how much time each spends with the child.

These child support guidelines determine the amount of child support that should be paid, which considers:

Net income of each parent
Custody share (also called timeshare)
Health insurance premiums
Childcare expenses
Tax filing status
Other deductions (retirement contributions, union dues, etc.)

For a deeper breakdown of the exact legal formula and guidelines, see our full guide on how California calculates child support.

Seeking Legal Assistance in Child Support Cases

We are here to help you navigate through this challenging process and ensure the best possible outcome for you and your child.

Seeking legal assistance is crucial in child support cases. A child support attorney offers guidance, advocates for your rights, and negotiates terms based on California’s laws and guidelines.

Calculating child support payments can be a complex process. The California Child Support Calculator above simplifies this process by considering various factors such as income, custody arrangements, and parenting time.

If you have any questions or need further assistance regarding your child support case, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Have a High or Complex Income?
We Can Help.

If you’re a business owner and receive variable income such as bonuses, stock units, royalties, commissions, deferred compensation, or manage international income, your situation may not fit into standard guidelines.

We help clients in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and throughout Los Angeles and Orange County resolve these challenges.

Talk to us about advanced child support calculations for high-net-worth individuals.

What if the Calculator Doesn’t Reflect Your Situation?

An estimate is only the beginning. The actual amount ordered in court can be adjusted based on:

Special needs or educational costs
Voluntary underemployment
Extraordinary travel expenses

If the court-ordered support seems too high or too low, we can assist you in requesting a modification or negotiating a more accurate arrangement.

Get Professional Legal Help!

Our experienced family law attorneys are ready to help you navigate your specific situation.

Who Pays Attorney Fees in California Child Custody Cases?

Temporary vs Permanent Child Custody Orders in California

Smith/Ostler Orders: Handling Variable Income in Support Cases

Hague Convention Child Abduction Defenses in California

Frequently Asked Questions
About California Child Support

How much child support do I pay if I make $1,000 a week in California?

If you earn $1,000 per week (about $4,333 per month), the amount of child support you may owe in California depends on several factors. These include how much time you spend with your child (known as your parenting time or custody percentage), your net disposable income, the other parent’s income, and additional costs like childcare or health insurance.

Child support can range widely. If you have no custody (0%), and the other parent is the primary caregiver, you may be responsible for the maximum guideline amount based on your income. On the other hand, if you and the other parent earn similar incomes and share custody equally (often referred to as the “breakeven” point), then no support may be owed under the state’s formula.

For most people, child support will fall somewhere between these two points. If you have partial custody and the other parent earns significantly less, you may be responsible for several hundred dollars per month or more, depending on the full financial picture.

What percentage of income is taken for child support in California?

There’s no fixed percentage of income taken for child support in California. Instead, the state uses a formula that considers both parents’ net disposable incomes and custody time. The amount can vary significantly based on your situation.

A calculator or an attorney can give you a more accurate estimate based on your full financial picture.

Is California a 50/50 custody state?

Not by default. California law favors shared custody when it’s in the child’s best interest, but that doesn’t always mean a 50/50 time split.

Courts consider several factors, including each parent’s availability, the child’s age and needs, and the degree of cooperation between parents. The goal is to support the child’s well-being, rather than adhering to a fixed schedule.

How are child support arrears calculated in California?

Child support arrears—missed or unpaid support—are calculated based on the full court-ordered amount that was due, regardless of your ability to pay at the time.

California also applies a 10% annual interest on unpaid balances (Code of Civil Procedure § 685.010), which can significantly increase the total owed over time.
The state has several enforcement options, including wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, bank levies, property liens, and driver’s or professional license suspensions. Falling behind can impact your credit and lead to legal consequences.

Tip: If you’re behind or your financial circumstances have changed, you can’t reduce arrears retroactively, but you can request a modification of future payments. Speak with a family law attorney as soon as possible.

I don’t live in California. Can I still use this calculator?

We only recommend using this calculator if you believe California has jurisdiction in your case. Otherwise, you should use a calculator for your state or speak to an attorney who serves your area.

That said, California courts can still assert jurisdiction in certain cases, especially if the other parent or the child lives here.

If your case involves California and multiple states or international issues, our team can help you understand your rights and options under interstate and international support laws.

What if my income varies month to month?

Courts typically look at your average income over time. For variable income sources, such as commissions or seasonal work, we can help determine an appropriate calculation approach.

Will the higher-earning parent always be required to pay child support in California?

Not necessarily. While income is a major factor, parenting time plays an equally important role. If the higher-earning parent also has primary custody, they may not owe support, or could even receive it.

The state’s formula considers both who earns more and how parenting time is divided to ensure the support serves the child’s best interests.

It’s possible for the lower-earning parent to pay support if the higher earner has the majority of custody time.

Do courts always follow the California child support calculation guideline exactly?

Not always. While California courts generally follow the statewide guideline formula for child support, they can deviate if using the formula would be unfair or not in the child’s best interest.

Courts may order a different amount in special situations, such as when one parent has an extraordinarily high income, when parenting time is significantly uneven, or when a child has special needs.