How to Quickly Estimate a Child and/or Spousal Support Obligation
Besides, perhaps child custody, the biggest issue for individuals facing divorce is costs. One of the primary, and most contentious, concerns of any spouse facing a divorce is how much child support and/or spousal support they are going to owe. Or, in the case of a lower earning spouse, how much spousal support or child support they can expect to receive.
Many times the unknowns surrounding support may cause a spouse to become apprehensive about filing for divorce. A low, or non, earning spouse may worry if they will receive enough support to survive. On the other hand, a spouse who is the primary earner may feel apprehensive about proceeding in the divorce process if they are unsure about how much support they may owe.
However, what many individuals involved in divorce do not always understand is they have the ability to obtain a rough estimate of support payments, before hiring an attorney.
California Family Law, Section 4054 provides an algebraic formula to calculate child support; and, also provides a guideline spousal support calculation. The algebraic formula requires the use of net income to determine support. However, since net income often involves several varying components, the formula in California Family Law, Section 4054 is very rarely used in practice.
Instead, a computer software-assisted calculation is most often used by courts when determining child support and spousal support. The most widespread used software-assisted calculation is known as DissoMaster. The DissoMaster program determines the parties’ respective net incomes and then determines the correct support amount.
Although there are intricacies involved in determining which deductions to input into the DissoMaster program best advised by an attorney, as long as an individual can estimate the monthly gross income and custodial time share of their spouse, they can get a general idea of how much they can anticipate owing, or receiving, in child support and spousal support.
Computer software-assisted child and spousal support calculators are found for free on most California Court’s websites. Obtaining a rough idea of the child support and spousal support award in your case will save each party in legal costs and allow each party to better prepare for their future.
Besides, perhaps child custody, the biggest issue for individuals facing divorce is costs. One of the primary, and most contentious, concerns of any spouse facing a divorce is how much child support and/or spousal support they are going to owe. Or, in the case of a lower earning spouse, how much spousal support or child support they can expect to receive.
Many times the unknowns surrounding support may cause a spouse to become apprehensive about filing for divorce. A low, or non, earning spouse may worry if they will receive enough support to survive. On the other hand, a spouse who is the primary earner may feel apprehensive about proceeding in the divorce process if they are unsure about how much support they may owe.
However, what many individuals involved in divorce do not always understand is they have the ability to obtain a rough estimate of support payments, before hiring an attorney.
California Family Law, Section 4054 provides an algebraic formula to calculate child support; and, also provides a guideline spousal support calculation. The algebraic formula requires the use of net income to determine support. However, since net income often involves several varying components, the formula in California Family Law, Section 4054 is very rarely used in practice.
Instead, a computer software-assisted calculation is most often used by courts when determining child support and spousal support. The most widespread used software-assisted calculation is known as DissoMaster. The DissoMaster program determines the parties’ respective net incomes and then determines the correct support amount.
Although there are intricacies involved in determining which deductions to input into the DissoMaster program best advised by an attorney, as long as an individual can estimate the monthly gross income and custodial time share of their spouse, they can get a general idea of how much they can anticipate owing, or receiving, in child support and spousal support.
Computer software-assisted child and spousal support calculators are found for free on most California Court’s websites. Obtaining a rough idea of the child support and spousal support award in your case will save each party in legal costs and allow each party to better prepare for their future.