Tool

California Child Support Estimator

Estimate guideline child support from the formula in California Family Code section 4055, using each parent's net monthly income and the parenting timeshare.

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Parent A — net monthly disposable income

Parent B — net monthly disposable income

Net disposable income is gross income minus the deductions Family Code section 4059 lists, including state and federal income tax actually payable, FICA, mandatory union dues and retirement contributions, health insurance premiums for the parent and the children, support actually paid for other children or a former spouse, and any job-related expenses or hardship deduction the court allows.

Number of children

Parent A's time with the children: 30% (Parent B: 70%)

Your estimate

Enter each parent's net monthly disposable income and the parenting timeshare to see the guideline estimate.

About this tool

This tool applies the published formula named in its methodology to the figures you enter. The result is an estimate, not a court order or a certified calculation, and it does not give legal advice.

Methodology

The estimator applies the statewide uniform guideline in Family Code section 4055, as operative September 1, 2024: CS = K[HN − (H%)(TN)]. HN is the higher earner's net monthly disposable income, H% the share of time that parent has primary physical responsibility for the children, and TN both parents' total net monthly disposable income. K is (1 + H%) when H% is 50% or less, otherwise (2 − H%), times the fraction the statute sets for TN.

Identify the higher earner and that parent's share of parenting time (H%)
Find the statutory fraction for total net income: 0.165 + TN/82,857 up to $2,900; 0.131 + TN/42,149 to $5,000; 0.25 to $10,000; 0.10 + 1,499/TN to $15,000; 0.12 + 1,200/TN above
K = (1 + H%) or (2 − H%) times that fraction
CS = K × (HN − H% × TN), multiplied by 1.6, 2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.625, 2.75, 2.813, 2.844 or 2.86 for two to ten children
A positive result is paid by the higher earner; a negative one by the lower earner, as its absolute value
Where the paying parent's net income is below full-time minimum wage ($16.90 an hour in 2026), the range of the section 4055(b)(7) low-income adjustment is shown

Limitations

You enter net disposable income; the tool does not compute taxes or the section 4059 deductions
Does not include add-on expenses such as childcare and uninsured health costs (Family Code section 4062)
Does not apply hardship deductions or any departure from the guideline the court may order
An estimate, not a court order or a certified California support calculation

Sources

Family Code section 4055 (statewide uniform guideline) — California Legislative InformationAccessed October 1, 2026
Family Code section 4059 (net disposable income) — California Legislative InformationAccessed October 1, 2026
Family Code section 4062 (additional child support) — California Legislative InformationAccessed October 1, 2026
California minimum wage, $16.90 per hour from January 1, 2026 — California Department of Industrial RelationsAccessed October 1, 2026

Methodology last reviewed October 1, 2026.

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