Edgar & Dow Riverside

⚖️ DOES SPENDING MORE TIME WITH YOUR CHILDREN REDUCE CHILD SUPPORT?

In California, parenting time is an important factor in determining guideline child support. But calculating parenting time is not always as simple as counting overnight visits.

Under Family Code section 4055, the guideline formula considers the percentage of time the higher-earning parent has primary physical responsibility for the children.

That raises some important questions:

✅ Does a 50/50 parenting schedule eliminate child support?

✅ Do school and daycare hours count toward parenting time?

✅ What happens when the actual schedule differs from the court order?

✅ Can a change in parenting time affect the amount of support?

The answers depend on the facts and applicable law.

California courts have addressed how parenting time should be calculated, including situations involving school hours, daycare, and the actual exercise of parental responsibility.

At Edgar & Dow, we evaluate parenting schedules, financial information, and the appropriate timeshare percentage when calculating guideline child support using Xspouse.

An inaccurate parenting percentage can significantly affect the resulting support order.

Our latest article examines how California courts evaluate parenting time and why the details matter.

📖 Read “How Does Parenting Time Affect Child Support in California?”

🔗 Find the full article through the Edgar & Dow Linktree in our bio.

📍 Serving Riverside County and Southern California.

⚖️ CAN A CALIFORNIA JUDGE ORDER LESS THAN GUIDELINE CHILD SUPPORT?

Yes. But it is not automatic.

California's child support guideline is presumed to be correct. However, Family Code section 4057 permits courts to order a different amount when a legally recognized exception applies.

Consider this situation:

A parent pays guideline child support but has so little income remaining that they cannot meet basic living expenses.

Can the court consider that?

Potentially, yes.

California courts have recognized that extraordinary financial circumstances may justify a downward deviation.

But simply telling the judge, "I can't afford it," is not enough.

The court needs evidence.

At Edgar & Dow, we examine the guideline calculation, the parent's net spendable income after support, and the Income and Expense Declaration to determine whether the facts support a request for deviation.

A mortgage, car payment, or other debt does not automatically justify reducing child support.

Our latest article examines the law, the evidence, and the circumstances in which a California court may order less than guideline.

📖 Read "Can a California Court Order Less Than Guideline Child Support?" through the Edgar & Dow Linktree in our bio.

Serving Riverside County and Southern California.