How Is Child Support Calculated in California?
California uses a formula to calculate child support, called the statewide guideline. It considers:
Each parent’s gross income,
How much time each parent spends with the child,
Health insurance costs,
Childcare expenses, and
Certain tax and hardship deductions.
This formula is outlined in Family Code § 4055, and courts usually must follow it unless there's a legal reason to deviate.
If child support is requested in a DVRO case, the court can still use this formula—but may not require both parties to appear in the same room due to safety concerns. The court may also impute income if the restrained parent refuses to share financial details.
To help the court calculate support, the protected party must complete form FL-150. The judge will issue a formal child support order—often using form FL-342—that can be enforced just like in a divorce or parentage case.
