California Child Support Calculator

Estimate California child support for 2026 using the Income Shares (statewide formula) guideline model under Cal. Fam. Code §§ 4050-4076. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

California uses a statewide algebraic guideline formula codified at Family Code § 4055. The formula combines both parents' net disposable monthly incomes with the percentage of time each parent has primary physical responsibility for the children, producing a presumed-correct support amount that judges can deviate from only with specific written findings.

California uses a shared-care formula, so the percentage of time each parent has primary physical responsibility for the children is built directly into the statewide guideline math. The more overnights and parenting time the paying parent has, the lower the presumed support number usually becomes, because that time is one of the main inputs the algebraic formula at Family Code section 4055 weighs. Both parents' net disposable incomes are combined with this time-share percentage to reach the result. Our on-page calculator is an estimate only, not legal advice.

In California the cost of the child's health insurance is treated as a mandatory add-on to the base guideline support amount rather than something baked into the formula. Uninsured health care costs for the children are also a mandatory add-on, meaning the court generally must order them shared. These add-ons are usually divided between the parents in proportion to their incomes. Because the exact split depends on your numbers, treat any figure here as an estimate and rely on the official California guideline calculator or a licensed attorney.

Work-related child care is a mandatory add-on in California. Child care costs that a parent pays so they can work, or attend education or training for employment, are added on top of the base guideline support and are generally shared between the parents in proportion to their incomes. This is separate from the core formula, which focuses on both parents' net incomes and parenting time. The on-page calculator gives an estimate; the official Department of Child Support Services guideline calculator and a licensed attorney control the real numbers.

The California guideline amount is presumed correct, and a judge can deviate from it only by making specific written findings explaining why the guideline number would be unjust or inappropriate in your case. The parent asking the court to depart from the formula carries the burden of showing why a different amount is warranted, for example through a hardship deduction for other children in the home or extraordinary health expenses. Because deviations are tightly limited under Family Code sections 4050 to 4076, treat any calculator result as an estimate and confirm with the official worksheet or an attorney.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in California?

California uses an income shares model through a statewide algebraic guideline formula codified at Family Code section 4055. The formula combines both parents' net disposable monthly incomes with the percentage of time each parent has primary physical responsibility for the children. That produces a support amount the law presumes is correct. Mandatory add-ons such as work-related child care and uninsured health costs are then layered on top. The full guideline appears at Family Code sections 4050 to 4076. Our on-page tool gives you a quick estimate, but the official Department of Child Support Services guideline calculator and a licensed attorney control the actual order.

Is there an official California child support worksheet or calculator I should rely on?

Yes. California publishes an official guideline calculator through the California Department of Child Support Services, available at childsupport.ca.gov, and the self-help courts at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov walk you through the process. Because California's guideline is an algebraic formula set in Family Code section 4055, that official calculation is the controlling tool, not a rough hand estimate. The number our website produces is only an estimate to help you plan. For a figure a judge will actually use, run your details through the official California guideline calculator or have a licensed family law attorney prepare the calculation for your case.

What income does California count when figuring child support?

California starts from income from all sources. That includes salary, wages, commissions, bonuses, self-employment net earnings, royalties, dividends, interest, rental income, trust income, annuities, pensions, Social Security, unemployment, disability insurance, and workers' compensation. Means-tested public aid is excluded. After mandatory deductions, what remains is your net disposable income, which is the figure the Family Code section 4055 formula actually uses, since California is a net income state. Because bonuses, commissions, and self-employment can swing the result, an estimate from this page is just a starting point. Confirm the controlling number with the official guideline calculator or an attorney.

How does shared or 50/50 parenting time change the support amount in California?

Parenting time is a core input in California's guideline, not an afterthought. The Family Code section 4055 formula directly factors in the percentage of time each parent has primary physical responsibility for the children, so a near-equal or 50/50 schedule generally lowers the support the higher earner pays compared to a schedule where one parent has the children most of the time. Income still matters, so even in a 50/50 split the parent who earns substantially more usually pays something. To see how your specific time-share affects the number, use the official California guideline calculator rather than relying only on this estimate.

Can income be imputed to an unemployed or underemployed parent in California?

California courts can base support on a parent's earning capacity rather than only actual earnings when a parent is unemployed or underemployed by choice. The court looks at the parent's ability and opportunity to work and may impute income at what they could reasonably earn, which then feeds into the net disposable income used by the Family Code section 4055 formula. Means-tested aid is not counted as income. Because imputation involves judgment about your work history and the job market, treat any estimate from this page as informational only and rely on the official guideline calculator or a licensed attorney for your situation.

How is child support enforced in California if a parent does not pay?

The California Department of Child Support Services and local child support agencies have strong enforcement tools. These include immediate wage withholding, intercepting Franchise Tax Board tax refunds, suspending more than 25 types of licenses, bank levies, recording liens, reporting to credit bureaus, and passport denial. Local agencies can also pursue contempt, which can carry potential jail time. If you owe past-due support, these measures can apply until the arrears are paid. Enforcement is separate from how the amount is calculated. For help with an existing order or arrears, contact the agency at childsupport.ca.gov or speak with a licensed attorney.

When does child support end in California, and how do I change an order?

In California, support generally continues until the child turns 18, or until age 19 if the child is unmarried, a full-time high school student, and not self-supporting. Support for an adult disabled child can be ordered under Family Code section 3910. To change an order, you file a request for order in superior court or apply through your local child support agency. California requires only a material change of circumstances, such as a meaningful change in income, custodial time, or expenses, with no fixed percentage threshold. Courts will not modify for trivial changes. Any number here is an estimate, so confirm with the official calculator or an attorney.