The guideline amount changes with your income
California guideline child support is based on actual income. When income drops, the guideline formula produces a lower support amount. But there are important factors that affect how this plays out.
How to see the new guideline amount
Use the calculator and enter your current income (or $0 if you have no income). Compare it to a calculation using your previous income. The difference shows the mathematical impact of the income change.
Note that unemployment insurance benefits, severance pay, and disability payments all count as income under FC section 4058. Any income being received should be included.
Imputed income
Courts can impute income to a parent who is unemployed or underemployed. Under FC section 4058(b), the court considers:
- Earning capacity
- Education and work history
- Available job opportunities in the area
- Efforts to find work
Whether income is imputed depends on whether the unemployment was voluntary or involuntary, and other factors specific to each case.
How modifications work
An existing court order remains in effect until the court changes it. Arrears (unpaid support) accumulate under the existing order and accrue interest at 10% per year under FC section 685.010.
Parents seeking a modification typically file a Request for Order (FL-300) along with an updated Income and Expense Declaration (FL-150). Modifications are generally effective from the date of filing, not the date of the hearing.
Low-income adjustment
When the obligor’s net disposable income falls below $2,929/month (the 2026 threshold derived from California minimum wage), the court may apply the low-income adjustment under FC section 4055(b)(7), which can further reduce the guideline amount. The calculator applies this automatically.
See the impact
Enter your current and previous income in the calculator to see exactly how the guideline amount changes with your income level.