California Child Support Calculator

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.

Call 310-820-3500 to speak with our team.

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

Disclaimer: This calculator is only intended to provide an estimate of monthly child support payments. The estimates provided should 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.

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.)

The court uses this guideline formula to calculate a recommended amount, but your unique circumstances can influence the final order.

The formula looks like this:

Child Support = K [HN – (H% × TN)]

Here’s what that means:

K = A number based on the number of children and both parents’ incomes
HN = The higher-earning parent’s net monthly income
H% = How much time (as a percentage) the higher earner has with the child
TN = Total net income from both parents

Don’t worry if that seems complicated; you don’t need to do the math yourself. The calculator above handles it for you. But understanding the basics can help you know what’s behind the number you see.

What’s Changed?

As of September 2024, California has updated the calculation of support under Senate Bill 343 (SB 343) to make the system more flexible and fair.

Here’s what that means for you:

The formula adjusts better to your income. It uses each parent’s net disposable income, rather than gross income, which provides a more accurate picture of what each person can truly afford. This ensures that high earners don’t automatically pay more than necessary, and lower earners aren’t overburdened.
Parenting time is weighed more carefully, not just based on overnights, but also on the overall time spent with the child.
Shared expenses, such as child care, school costs, or unreimbursed medical bills, must now be clearly divided between parents to avoid confusion later.

These changes aim to make support orders fairer, more transparent, and easier to understand.

What Impacts Child Support in California?

Here are the top factors that can shift the amount:

Factor	How It Affects Support
Parenting Time	The more time you have with your child, the lower your support obligation may be.
Income Disparity	A higher-earning parent may contribute more.
Health & Childcare Costs	Courts often split these proportionally.
Number of Children	Support amounts increase with more children, though not always proportionally.
Tax Filing Status	Affects net income calculations, which now influence support under the updated law (SB 343).

Have a High or Complex Income? We Can Help.

If you’re a business owner, receive bonuses or commissions, 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.

Can Child Support Orders Change Later?

Yes. If your income, custody schedule, or life circumstances change, you may be eligible for a modification. You or the other parent can request a change, but the court must approve it. Delaying action can lead to the accumulation of unpaid support or inaccurate orders.

Seeking Legal Assistance in Child Support Cases

Seeking legal assistance is crucial in child support cases. A family law attorney offers guidance, protects your rights, and negotiates fair 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. By using this calculator, you can get an estimate of the child support amount that may be awarded in your case.

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

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

How Provinziano & Associates can Help You in Your CA Child Support Case

With years of experience, Provinziano & Associates is a highly regarded child custody and child support law firm in Los Angeles. Our team of dedicated attorneys specializes in handling complex child support cases, prioritizing the child’s best interests. We offer personalized guidance and support throughout the entire process, whether it involves litigation, mediation, or reaching an amicable agreement.

Advocating for our clients’ rights, we strive to ensure a favorable outcome that prioritizes the child’s well-being and their relationship with both parents. Call us today at 310-820-3500 or schedule a case evaluation to discuss your case and explore your legal options regarding custody of your child(ren).

Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation

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?

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.