Category Divorce & Family Law

Child support is a court-ordered payment designed to ensure that children receive adequate financial support from both parents after separation or divorce. These payments are typically made by the noncustodial parent to the custodial parent, to maintain the child’s standard of living as much as possible. The California family court system is responsible for determining the amount, using state guidelines and taking into account the best interests of the child.

Child support is intended to cover a child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, and housing. In some situations, it can also extend to additional costs related to health care, education, and extracurricular activities. While the concept may seem straightforward, calculating the amount and factoring in special expenses can become far more complicated.

How Child Support Is Calculated in California

In California, child support is generally calculated according to California Family Code §4055. The formula uses both parents’ incomes, the amount of time each spends with the child, and certain allowable expenses. While these guidelines provide a baseline, the court retains discretion to adjust the amount when unique circumstances exist.

If a child has special needs or if either parent faces exceptional financial circumstances, the court may choose to deviate from the standard calculation. Even when parents are not married, the court can issue a child support order to ensure the custodial parent has sufficient resources to provide for the child’s well-being.

College Expenses and Child Support

The question of who pays for college is often a concern during divorce negotiations. Tuition costs have climbed significantly in recent decades, and the financial impact can be daunting, especially for parents now supporting two separate households. Many parents assume that college expenses are automatically factored into child support, but in California, there is no law requiring either parent to contribute to these costs as part of a standard support order.

Any agreement to share college expenses must be negotiated separately and included in a divorce settlement. Without such an agreement, the costs of higher education are outside the scope of the state’s child support guidelines.

Factoring Daycare Costs into Child Support

For parents of young children, daycare is often one of the largest recurring expenses. In most cases, these costs are considered “add-ons” to standard child support and are ordered alongside health insurance and medical expenses. The general rule is that daycare necessary for the custodial parent to work full-time should be shared equally between both parents.

However, this arrangement can vary depending on factors such as income disparity, alternative child care options, and the specific needs of the child. Because these considerations can impact the financial burden on each parent, having accurate information and proper legal representation can make a substantial difference in the final order.

Ensuring You Receive The Support You Need

When calculating or contesting child support, the experience and strategy of your legal team are critical. An attorney can help ensure that your child’s needs are met without placing an undue burden on either parent. This includes presenting accurate financial information, advocating for fair add-ons, and negotiating agreements that protect the child’s standard of living.

Kaspar & Lugay, LLP understands that a child’s well-being should remain the top priority, regardless of the relationship between the parents. Their child support lawyers have extensive experience in negotiating fair child support arrangements, enforcing existing orders, and modifying payments when life circumstances change. Whether securing necessary support or defending against unreasonable demands, they approach each case intending to achieve an equitable outcome for both parent and child.

Securing Your Child’s Future

Child support decisions can shape the opportunities and stability your child experiences during their formative years. With so much at stake, it’s essential to have skilled legal guidance on your side.

If you are facing a child support dispute or need assistance in establishing or modifying payments, contact Kaspar & Lugay, LLP. Their team is prepared to help you protect your child’s best interests and work toward a fair, sustainable arrangement.

Kaspar & Lugay, LLP

+18585043252

12526 High Bluff Dr UNIT 300, San Diego, CA 92130

Divorce is rarely easy, and when children are involved, the emotional stakes rise dramatically. The end of a marriage can leave deep scars—not just for the couple, but for the kids caught in the middle. Fortunately, there’s a way to soften the blow and protect the emotional well-being of everyone involved. That path is divorce mediation.

Mediated divorce allows both parties to come to a resolution outside of court, reducing hostility and creating a space for compromise. For couples with children, this process can lead to fairer, more balanced outcomes that prioritize the needs of the kids above all else. Mediation encourages collaboration rather than confrontation, setting the stage for healthier co-parenting relationships long after the divorce is finalized.

How Mediation Creates Better Outcomes for Children
Children are deeply affected by how their parents handle divorce. Studies consistently show that when parents maintain respectful communication and avoid prolonged legal battles, children experience less stress and emotional fallout. Through mediation, parents are more likely to create custody and time-sharing agreements that work for both households and give children the structure they need to thrive.

A court-imposed custody schedule might be legally binding, but it rarely captures the nuance of a family’s real-life needs. Mediation gives parents the opportunity to discuss schedules, school logistics, holiday planning, and other concerns in a personalized setting. The result is a parenting plan that reflects the unique rhythms of the family, not a one-size-fits-all solution handed down by a judge.

Why the Mediator Makes All the Difference
Of course, the success of this process depends almost entirely on the mediator’s skill. Divorce mediation isn’t simply about drafting documents—it’s about navigating complex emotional terrain while helping both sides feel heard and respected.

Effective mediators have to be part strategist, part counselor, and part negotiator. They must know how to diffuse tension, keep conversations productive, and guide clients toward outcomes that feel fair.

This balancing act is especially difficult when children are involved. Parents may feel guilt, anger, sadness, or fear about how their decisions will affect their kids. A skilled divorce mediator understands these emotions and helps channel them toward solutions rather than stalemates. The goal is not just to settle a dispute, but to preserve the parenting relationship and give both parties the tools to move forward with dignity.

The McNamee Mediations Difference
For Orange County families, Newport Beach family attorney McNamee Mediations is the trusted name in divorce mediation. With over 50 years of experience guiding couples through some of the most challenging transitions of their lives, our firm has built a reputation for compassion, professionalism, and results. Hundreds of former clients can speak to our ability to turn conflict into cooperation, and tension into resolution.
If you’re considering divorce and want to protect your children’s well-being while avoiding the stress and expense of litigation, we encourage you to reach out to McNamee Mediations today. Let us help you craft a divorce settlement that puts your family’s future first.

McNamee Mediations

+19492233836

4590 MacArthur Blvd #500, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Today marks the anniversary of one of the worst decisions I ever made – getting a divorce. No, not in the sense that I wish I had stayed with my partner; we had a lot of differences that ended up making staying in the relationship pretty much impossible.

What I’m talking about is going through the process of divorce litigation. When we decided to split up, we actually were in a very amicable and positive place despite knowing we wouldn’t be staying together in the long run. Divorce court changed all of that.

My partner’s lawyers were not there to play soft ball; I made significantly more than them, and their lawyers were dead set on grabbing up as much as my income and our shared assets as possible to increase their payout. Once I saw this start to unfold, I realized that I would need to step up my game or I’d be out of my shirt by the end of the proceedings.

So began a year-long, very nasty court battle over what had started off as a very calm and thoughtful separation. My ex and I’s relationship deteriorated as they let their lawyers run loose, with me blaming them for not having the guts to stand up to them and them taking offense to this and digging in their heels.

After the proceedings wrapped up, we were both worse off than when we began. I was out a significant sum and had lost most of our shared assets, but my ex had spent the majority of the savings and the eventual winnings on paying off their predatory legal team.

I wish we knew then that there was an alternative – family law mediations – that we could have used and saved both our relationship and our money. Unfortunately, I just happened to meet a client of the highest rated mediation firm in Orange County (McNamee Mediations) a few years after the divorce had been finalized.

When I say they are the highest rated, I mean it – both the client I met and the many who left testimonials on the firm’s various social media pages had nothing but positive things to say about McNamee. Special attention goes to the professionalism and level-headedness of the team there that has resulted in many happy divorces – as happy as they can get, anyway.

As a financial planner, I see my clients go through a number of changes in their lives and sometimes it includes a separation/divorce. Mediation is the far better option when dissolving a marriage as it puts a lot less strain not only on the finances but also the emotions of everyone involved. This is where Colleen McNamee stands out. As an attorney-mediator, she is extremely knowledgeable in her field, has two decades of experience, but also truly cares about her clients. Something that cannot be taught in law school is the gift of empathy and caring for others, which translates into achieving fair and equitable results for couples. Thanks to her very strong skill set and the services she’s able to offer, she remains a neutral counsel to both parties throughout the process, and the Agreements she drafts are far superior to any other divorce mediator I have seen! My clients have come out feeling like they were treated fairly, received their equitable shares, and can now move forward with their lives onto their next chapters. – Katerina Hencova, Google Review

Colleen McNamee is the absolute best[!!] When we started out on our journey of going through a divorce, I felt overwhelmed from every direction and had no idea where to begin or what to expect. I’ve heard all the horror stories of things turning ugly and costs rising as the process drags on and on. BUT, I am SO thankful we went with Colleen!! She made the whole process clear, concise, & cost effective. She helped us communicate peacefully and reach an agreement that worked for both parties. She is very professional and yet the kindest human being! [Thank you Colleen from the bottom of my heart for everything!!] – Jess B., Yelp Review

If you and your partner are like me and mine were – recognizing that we’re not meant for each other, but still on good terms and would like to remain that way – do yourself a favor: avoid divorce litigation at all costs. Call McNamee instead, you’ll come out with your relationship changed but (mostly) intact.

McNamee Mediations

+19492233836

4590 MacArthur Blvd Suite 500, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Divorce is never an easy prospect, but it’s fair to say that some separations are far more painful and destructive than others. Couples whose relationships have fallen apart in a particularly acrimonious fashion, or couples where one party or the other has become unhinged in their desire to punish the other, there are plenty of situations where one or both parties are determined to burn every possible bridge on their way out of the relationship.

In these situations, the best course of action is for you to find the best legal help available, then batten down the hatches and take cover until the whole thing blows over. This is especially true in states with complex and often highly unfair laws regarding separation, divorce, and family law.

One such state, California, is probably the worst offender on the list. Not only are the laws highly disadvantageous for the partner with a higher income, the custody laws are often incredibly lopsided and ruinous for your relationships with your family if the other party is especially vindictive and has a halfway decent lawyer.

So, if you live in California, which many of our readers do, it’s imperative that you have at least one great lawyer in your area on your address book. For our southern California readers, one of the best firms for divorce lawyers in Santa Ana and the greater Orange County area is Shuff Law Firm, a family law firm that’s been running since the 1970’s.

Tamara and Joeseph Shuff have accumulated over a half century of experience during their tenure as the owners and lead attorneys for Shuff, and they have the legal record to back up their efficacy as lawyers. Their clients, as seen in these testimonials from their Yelp page, attest to their professionalism and their abilities to give their clients the best legal results possible:

Shuff Law Firm was recommended to me by a dear friend and I highly recommend them to you!

Joe, Tamara and their entire team work with the utmost professionalism coupled with a genuine care for their clients needs. This Father- Daughter team brings many many years of experience to the table! They’ll represent you with integrity, honesty, and a great energy, yet will not be steamrollered by opposing counsel.

Most recently, Tamara held my hand during an incredibly tough situation while believing in me and the justice to prevail. Her kind heart keeps her honest and her experience keeps her strong!

I can’t recommend Shuff Law Firm enough!

Laura K, Yelp Review

My entire experience with Shuff Law firm has exceeded my expectations and I was extremely satisfied. A close friend connected me with Joe Shuff. I was always impressed with how organized the staff was and how they always made me feel as if I had priority when calling the office. This was the first time I had ever been in a legal situation so I was confused and scared of all the “unknown”. Initially, I had only been working with Joe Shuff and then shortly after Tamara Shuff Mortensen was brought on. Tamara took the time to explain everything and answered all my questions with such patients. I was so happy to have them represent me and be my voice in such a complicated case. The circumstance was horrible but the outcome was amazing. Joe Shuff is experienced, respected, rational and incredibly helpful. Tamara gave me hope and inspiration. She is outstanding in court and her work ethic was very impressive.

L R., Yelp Review

If you’re about to enter the legal arena with a highly embittered and enraged former spouse, give the Shuffs a call. They’ve been in the business a long time, and they are specialized in making sure their clients emerge from such situations with as little damage as possible.

Shuff Law Firm

+17148340175

2634, 2107 N Broadway STE 301, Santa Ana, CA 92706

A wedding is one of the most beautiful events in life. It is the day when two people take vows to be with one another throughout all the ups and downs of life. Despite the promises made on this day, many couples do not last a lifetime. There are many uncertainties in life. Many couples find out they have irreconcilable differences and the situation turns into divorce. This is why pre-nuptial agreements have become increasingly popular over time. 

With divorce becoming less and less stigmatized and more and more practiced, pre-nuptial agreements are no longer considered insulting or unromantic notions. In fact, millennials these days are more prudent and shrewd when it comes to their career, lifestyle, and family choices. Over two-thirds are willing to postpone marriage and are reported to delay having children while focusing on their careers. These priorities have resulted in more and more millennials seeking to sign a pre-nuptial agreement as a proactive measure to the complexities of divorce law.

What is a pre-nuptial agreement?

A pre-nuptial agreement is a contract formed by couples before getting married. This registered and signed document outlines the assets and liabilities of both partners. The agreement also discusses issues relating to child custody if the marriage fails in the future. This formal agreement is witnessed and signed by both parties. It includes a list of all their articles of ownership at the time of marriage as well as the items given by the partners to each other. 

Why should you consider signing a pre-nuptial agreement prior to marriage?

Some may say that prenuptial agreements are for the wealthy. But this is not true. Although these documents are often enforced to protect the fortune of the wealthy, those with modest means can also benefit from having an agreement prior to their wedding day. There are several important reasons why people should consider prenuptial agreements. Pre-nuptial agreements offer a way to pass separate property to the children from prior marriages. Without pre-nuptial agreements, chances are that the surviving spouse may claim for the larger share of the property while leaving very little for the kids. Couples with or without children, wealthy or modest, need to clarify their financial responsibilities and rights during the marriage. Those who want to avoid messy conflicts in Divorce and Family Law should seek to sign pre-nuptial agreements, so as to streamline the resolution to decide how the property will be divided if they separate. Pre-nuptial agreements are also useful for protecting partners from being held liable for one another’s debts. 

What happens without a pre-nuptial agreement?

In case you do not sign a pre-nuptial agreement before marriage, the state laws will decide who owns the property after divorce or death of a partner. State law will be also involved in deciding what happens to the assets that you own before marriage. Without pre-nuptial agreements, the couples may have to face several difficulties in making decisions about their assets, liabilities, and possessions after separation. Moreover, it may also affect the inheritors and beneficiaries in the future. 

If you are looking to file for divorce, you can consult with Shuff Law Firm, a Professional Law Corporation.

Shuff Law Firm, a Professional Law Corporation|
2634, 2107 N Broadway STE 301, Santa Ana, CA 92706, United States