Child support varies case to case, state to state

The specifics of child support arrangements in California vary widely based on the facts of the case, and the amounts of payments also differ from state to state. A typical payment in California, according to a study by Custody X Change, ranges between $530 and $730 per month. The study showed that parents who move relatively short distances into different states might see their support payments cut or increased significantly.

Nationwide, the amount of a typical support payment can be as low as $402 in Virginia or as high as Massachusetts’s $1,187. The study was conducted based on the hypothetical situation of a split couple who had two kids, with the father making $55,000 annually and the mother making $45,000 annually. The total income of the hypothetical couple may be high when compared to 2015 Census data, which indicated the average two-income household made around $56,000 each year after taxes.

There are a number of variables that may impact the outcome of a particular child support case, including health insurance, remarriage and custodial children from other relationships. Alimony from other sources and public assistance funds may also impact the court’s analysis. The variability from state to state is pronounced and can be counter to standards of living. The state of New Jersey, for example, is 47th in the amounts of child support payments even though it is one of the most expensive states in which to live.

Individuals in California who have questions about divorce child custody or child support might want to schedule a meeting with an attorney. An attorney who has experience practicing family law may be able to help in child support cases by gathering and organizing evidence for presentation to the court or by arguing on the client’s behalf during hearings. An attorney might also draft and file documents to modify child support after an order has been entered.