Child Support

[mjaguilera]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

Me and the other parent have an 80/20 custody arrangement, and want to get child support. I haven't received a cent from her since he was born and he's 20 months. The mother is unemployed, but I've heard the courts can impute her income at minimum wage. I am on disability and need help. How much do you all think I can get, if any? Is it worth taking her to court now or should I wait until she gets a job?

 

[stealth2]

Is your arrangement through the court? And... have you been legally declared the father. Yes, it matters. No, the fact that he looks like you doesn't.

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

Me and the other parent have an 80/20 custody arrangement, and want to get child support. I haven't received a cent from her since he was born and he's 20 months. The mother is unemployed, but I've heard the courts can impute her income at minimum wage. I am on disability and need help. How much do you all think I can get, if any? Is it worth taking her to court now or should I wait until she gets a job?

Its not worth you spending any money, because no matter how much money the court orders it may be next to impossible to collect from her. However, if you go through the child support agency (which may take a while) they will handle it for you at little to no cost, and then you will have an enforceable order, so that if some day you are able to collect, they will collect it for you.

However, please understand that someone determined not to pay support will dodge it at every possible opportunity. If you are not collecting any kind of state benefits for the child you might try to apply for those, because if you are collecting state benefits that tends to light a fire under the child support agency.

 

[CJane]

Just for the sake of clarity. YOU have the child 80% of the time?

 

[Isis1]

I'd also like to know what type of disability you are on.

 

[mjaguilera]

Clarification.

Yes, I have him 80% of the time. This is court ordered. To clarify, I am also on SSDI.

 

[mistoffolees]

Yes, I have him 80% of the time. This is court ordered. To clarify, I am also on SSDI.

Here is the California child support calculator:
https://www.cse.ca.gov/ChildSupport/cse/guidelineCalculator

Plug in the numbers - using a full time minimum wage for her - to see what you come up with. That's probably the MAXIMUM you could receive. The minimum is, of course, zero.

I wouldn't bother with court since your chances of actually collecting are slim. Rather, contact CA child support enforcement agency (see the above site) and have them open a case for you.