Your income in monthly terms
$2,000 per week = $8,667 per month ($2,000 x 52 weeks / 12 months).
The California guideline formula uses monthly income. Let’s see what your support obligation looks like under different scenarios.
It depends on these factors
Child support in California is calculated using a formula (FC section 4055) that considers:
- Your income and the other parent’s income
- Timeshare (what percentage of time the children are with each parent)
- Number of children
- Tax filing status and deductions
- Other deductions like health insurance, 401(k), etc.
Example scenarios (1 child, MFS filing, standard deduction)
Assuming the other parent earns $0:
| Your timeshare | Guideline CS | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| 10% (every other weekend) | ~$1,450/mo | You pay other parent |
| 20% | ~$1,380/mo | You pay other parent |
| 30% | ~$1,290/mo | You pay other parent |
| 50% (equal custody) | ~$1,060/mo | You pay other parent |
If the other parent also earns $4,000/month:
| Your timeshare | Guideline CS |
|---|---|
| 20% | ~$800/mo |
| 50% | ~$430/mo |
Key takeaways
- More timeshare = lower support obligation (you’re directly supporting the child more)
- The other parent’s income matters a lot. If they earn more, your obligation decreases.
- With equal incomes and 50/50 custody, support is close to $0
Get your exact number
These are estimates using standard deductions and MFS filing. Your actual number depends on your specific deductions (401k, health insurance, etc.) and filing status. Use the calculator to enter your exact situation.