When California parents decide that divorce is the most appropriate choice for their relationship, their children typically remain a point of focus throughout the proceedings. Indeed, determining child custody and child support matters are some of the most important issues to address. However, this part can also be one of the most challenging for parents to confront.
Child custody is almost always determined by what is deemed to be in a child’s best interests. This can vary from family to family, and might involve different custodial possibilities, including joint and primary custody. In most situations, though, one parent must pay child support in order to establish financial stability for their child.
Family law courts in California use a specific formula in order to determine how much child support is owed and by whom. While this uniformity can be incredibly helpful, it fails to take into account the unique situations that some families face. There are times where it is appropriate to deviate from the standard and instead utilize different methods to establish child support payments that are not only better for the parents, but also for the child involved.
Since no two families or divorces are alike, a one-size-fits-all approach to child custody will not always be appropriate. We have successfully guided our California clients through the process of examining child support payments determined by the formula and determining whether a deviation is necessary. The process of divorcing with children can be especially stressful, and more information on the subject can be found on our website.