California Child Support Calculator
2026Estimate child support payments in California. Calculate expected CA child support obligations based on income, custody arrangement, and number of children using California guidelines.
Written and reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Methodology · Updated
California statutory rates: California uses the algebraic Guideline formula (Family Code §4055): CS = K × (HN − (H% × TN)) — values vary by income and timeshare. The calculator below uses generic Income Shares percentages and may not exactly match California's schedule — use it for ballparking, then run the official California guideline worksheet for any binding figure.
Total Annual Obligation
$37,600.00
Parent 1 Share
$27,072.00
Parent 2 Share
$12,032.00
Support Calculation
| Combined Gross Income | $100,000.00 |
| Base Obligation Rate (2 children) | 28% |
| Base Support Obligation | $28,000.00 |
| + Child Care Costs (annual) | $6,000.00 |
| + Health Insurance (annual) | $3,600.00 |
| Total Obligation | $37,600.00 |
Each Parent's Share
| Parent 1 Income Share | 60.0% |
| Parent 1 Annual Obligation | $27,072.00 |
| Parent 1 Monthly | $2,256.00 |
| Parent 2 Income Share | 40.0% |
| Parent 2 Annual Obligation | $12,032.00 |
| Parent 2 Monthly | $1,002.67 |
| Per Child (annual) | $18,800.00 |
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
How is child support calculated in California?
California applies the Income Shares model. Both parents' gross incomes are combined and run through a guideline schedule that yields a basic monthly obligation. Each parent's share of that obligation is prorated by their percentage of combined income.
The calculation typically adjusts for: (1) work-related childcare, (2) the child's portion of health-insurance premiums, (3) extraordinary medical expenses, and (4) parenting time when overnights cross a state-defined threshold (e.g., 20%–40% depending on jurisdiction). Pre-existing support orders for other children, alimony paid, and mandatory retirement contributions also reduce gross income before the formula applies.
Guideline figures are presumptive — judges may deviate upward or downward when applying them would be unjust given the child's needs, the parents' resources, or other relevant factors. California courts retain final discretion. Always confirm the current guideline tables and worksheet with the California child support agency or family court.
California child support: model, official calculator, enforcement agency
- Guidelines model
- Income Shares
- Official calculator
- California Guideline Calculator (DissoMaster, XSpouse, or court-approved)
California uses a unique Income Shares variant codified in Family Code §4055 — the "California Guideline" — using a complex algebraic formula based on both parents' net disposable incomes and the percentage of time each parent has the children. The formula heavily weights timeshare, often producing very different results from neighboring states. Practitioners use specialized software (DissoMaster, XSpouse) since hand calculation is impractical. The state Department of Child Support Services serves over 1.4M cases.
California Key Rates & Limits (2026)
| State Income Tax | progressive (up to 13.3%) |
| State Sales Tax | 7.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $16.9/hr |
California child support — frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in California in 2026?
California uses the Statewide Uniform Guideline codified in Family Code section 4055 — an algebraic Income Shares variant that weighs both parents' net disposable incomes against the percentage of time each parent has the children. Because hand calculation is impractical, courts and attorneys rely on certified software (DissoMaster or XSpouse). Timeshare heavily affects the result, often producing very different numbers from neighboring states. The Department of Child Support Services administers more than 1.4M California cases.
What is the California child support cap or maximum income?
California has no statutory income cap. The Family Code section 4055 formula applies to all parental income, though courts can deviate above an extraordinarily high combined-income threshold under Family Code 4057 if the guideline amount would exceed the children's needs. The presumed amount is rebuttable but rarely overturned. Child Support Services pursues wage assignment, lien recording, and license suspension to enforce orders, and California intercepts state lottery winnings over $600 for arrears.
Does California reduce child support for shared custody?
Yes — timeshare percentage is a direct input to the Family Code 4055 formula. As the noncustodial parent's percentage of time with the children increases, the guideline amount drops on a continuous curve, not in fixed steps like many states. A 50/50 timeshare with similar incomes can produce an order near zero. Courts use the actual annual overnight count, and disputes over timeshare are common because the financial impact is significant.