If you are a single parent in Southern California, you have likely experienced the financial burdens of raising a family in an area with a high cost of living. The average cost to raise a child in Southern California is $336,398, with childcare costs ranging from $7,000 to $15,000 a year in some cities. These exorbitant costs can be even more painful for parents who are living separately.
Child support was established so that both parents could fairly contribute to the costs associated with the needs of their children. And yet, according to the U.S. Census, 7.4 million single parents choose not to pursue a support order. Unfortunately, some parents believe that hiring an attorney is too expensive, so they shoulder the financial burden alone.
A major change to California child support laws, starting September 1, 2024, is that expenses such as childcare, uninsured medical costs, and educational expenses will be divided proportionally based on each parent’s net spendable income—rather than a default 50/50 split. This means that if the other parent earns more than you, they will be responsible for a greater share of the expenses.
At the Law Office of Shelly Jean John / Family Law Revolution, we offer a variety of affordable options so you can focus your financial resources on your children. With locations in Ontario and Riverside, we proudly serve clients across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
Why Some Parents Don’t Ask for Child Support
There are a variety of reasons why some custodial parents choose not to seek financial support, including:
Uncertainty about whether the other parent can or will pay
A preference to avoid contact with the other parent
The mistaken belief that if the other parent is unemployed, the court won’t order support
Concerns about legal fees
As family law attorneys, we can assist with communicating with your child’s other parent and help you pursue fair child support. Through our Lawyer for a Day program, you can hire us just for your child support hearing, settlement negotiations, or specific tasks in your case. Many of our clients complete paperwork on their own or work with a paralegal for lower-cost services—reserving attorney support for more complex parts of the process.
Clear Answers to Your Child Support Questions
Child Support Orders in California
Child support in California is governed by the California Family Code and typically calculated using the state’s Child Support Guideline formula. This formula considers each parent’s income, deductions, withholdings, and the amount of time the child spends with each parent. In 2024, the guideline will be updated to better reflect the true costs of raising children in today’s economy.
Parents may also agree on a “non-guideline” support amount, which can be formalized as a court order—so long as specific legal language is included. Without this, the agreement may be rejected by the court. If no agreement exists, a family court judge or commissioner in San Bernardino or Riverside County will determine the final support amount.
If a parent quits their job without good cause, the court may “impute income” by basing support on that parent’s previous or potential earnings. Discovery tools, such as subpoenas to employers or banks, can be used to uncover hidden income sources and payment habits.
At the Law Office of Shelly Jean John / Family Law Revolution, we advocate for you in court—whether through full representation or limited scope services. We can prepare legal documents, gather and analyze records through discovery, negotiate with the other parent or the Department of Child Support Services, and appear on your behalf. We’re licensed to practice in all California Superior Courts, including Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.