How much will I have to pay for child support for 2 kids?

[guitarjeff]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California. I am going through a divorce for the first time. Tomorrow I meet with my lawyer, my wife also has a lawyer. I was wondering how much will I be paying for child support? I have been married for 16 years in CA. I am working towards 50/50 or 40/60 % visitation. What questions should I ask my lawyer tomorrow when we meet about this?

Thanks, Jeff

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California. I am going through a divorce for the first time. Tomorrow I meet with my lawyer, my wife also has a lawyer. I was wondering how much will I be paying for child support? I have been married for 16 years in CA. I am working towards 50/50 or 40/60 % visitation. What questions should I ask my lawyer tomorrow when we meet about this?

Thanks, Jeff

Plug in your numbers, see what it says:


Calculate Child Support

Make sure you list ALL of your questions about visitation and custody, too. Suggestions:

Right of first refusal;
Whether giving notice is enough to allow a parent to move the child out of state/county or whether both parents must agree;
Concerns about extra-curricular activities which may occur during your parenting time;
Birthdays;
Specific holidays;
Claiming child on taxes;
Spousal support;

(I'm sure people will add to this)

Also it's absolutely in your best interest NOT to agree to "visitation as agreed upon by both parents". This is rarely - if ever - a good idea.

 

[Proserpina]

One more:

Whether braces will be paid for by one or both parents.

(It never ceases to amaze me how often than one comes up here!)

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

Also it's absolutely in your best interest NOT to agree to "visitation as agreed upon by both parents". This is rarely - if ever - a good idea.

it can work if BOTH parents are adults and think about the best interest of the children.

I had it with my boys' dad. We did it because we had to work around his swing shift. I even paid half the plane fare when dad went out west to see HIS brother on DAD's time.

Would NEVER have that clause with my daughters' dad.

 

[Proserpina]

it can work if BOTH parents are adults and think about the best interest of the children.

I had it with my boys' dad. We did it because we had to work around his swing shift. I even paid half the plane fare when dad went out west to see HIS brother on DAD's time.

Would NEVER have that clause with my daughters' dad.

I know it can work but in all honesty I think it's better just to have it made clear from the get-go...then again we'd all probably have less to do here if that was the case

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

I believe that court orders helps keep folks honest. I'm just saying that there are actually cases where people can work it out without it having to be a court battle. It seems rare these days.

In my case, dad #1 paid his child support faithfully. he was late ONCE in 14 years (we both knew and agreed it could be late and the repayment date.) He even paid in CASH. I personally didn't care HOW I received the money. BOTH of us knew that playing nicely was best for the children. I didn't even know the term co-parenting back then, but I admit he was the best co-parent that I personally ever knew.

 

[Cainlord]

get it in writing, seriously. Doesn't take much for everything being great with your ex to someone wanting to make visitation hard.