In California, child support is payable until the child reaches 18 years of age, or if the child has not graduated from high school by that time, child support continues until high school graduation, or until age 19.

California bases its child support calculation on the net incomes of both parents and the amount of time a child spends in each parent’s physical custody. All income from all sources is factored into calculating the amount of child support. Income includes many things, such as perquisites from an employer, recurring gifts from family members or friends, payment of expenses by third parties, and much more.

At MNB, our Los Angeles child custody lawyers have an abundance of experience on conducting financial analysis and taking other steps necessary to determine the income and cash flow of self-employed parents; we also know how to assist self-employed parents in making sure their income is accurately presented and represented to the Court.

Properly calculating a self-employed parent’s income is essential to obtaining fair child support orders for our clients and their children. This includes handling many cases involving entrepreneurs, consultants, entertainers, athletes, and others with income that can be challenging to pinpoint and project for the future. This also includes working with highly qualified investigators, forensic accountants, and other professionals (when needed), to make certain that our clients have all necessary information at their disposal to consider and to be presented to the court.

Even though the law requires full financial disclosure, disputes over actual income, legitimate and allowable expenses, and other financial circumstances are common in such cases. All family law matters involving a self-employed parent call for counsel from a child custody attorney in Los Angeles, CA that is knowledgeable and resourceful, like the attorneys in the Los Angeles offices of MNB. Let us protect you, your child, and your financial futures.

It is important that you present an accurate picture of your income and the other parent’s income to the court to have the appropriate representation in the courtroom to ensure that an appropriate and fair child support amount is ordered.