Understanding Child Custody and Support Law in California

August is Child Support Awareness Month. This is the time of the year when a number of events are held to increase consciousness about importance of money paid to the meet a child’s essential needs; such as food, clothing, housing, and childcare. Child support does not end at these basic needs. Sometimes a court may order one or both parents to pay for other things, such as camps, vacations, music lessons, and private tuition's.

Childcare is good. Unfortunately, the issue more often arises in the context of a contentious argument between separated couples and less so with the full interest of the benefits to the child. Battles over child support constitute a big problem in the U.S. But amid all the press coverage - that celebrities’ court battles receive - some crucial issues remain unnoticed. This blog is an attempt to look at those problems. It lists ten under-reported facts about child support that everyone - at least the separated couple - should be aware of; if only because it is in the interest of their child:

• Women make up 15 percent of individuals who pay for child support. This shatters the long held myth that men are the sole providers after separation.

• The average child support payment across the 50 states is over $400 a month.

• In 30 percent cases, the custodial parent never receives a cent of court-ordered child support payment.

• The federal government doesn’t mandate an adequate amount for child support.

• Although the custodial parents receiving child support payments does not pay tax on the amount, for the paying partner, it is taxable.

• Visitation rights and child support are legally different. It is not possible for a parent to stop paying because he or she is not allowed to meet his or her child.

• Bankruptcy is not a legal reason to stop child support.

• A family law attorney in Los Angeles can help parents make changes in child support.

• Asset seizure, wage garnishment, passport denial, and credit bureau reporting are some of the consequences for the parents not paying for child support. Sometimes the court can order a prison sentence.