Child Support Lawyer San Diego

Raising a child comes with countless responsibilities—emotional, physical, and financial. When parents separate or divorce, ensuring a child’s needs are met remains a legal and moral priority. In California, child support laws are designed to ensure both parents contribute fairly to their child’s upbringing. At Enright Family Law, we serve modern families in San Diego, offering personalized, strategic support to establish, enforce, or modify child support arrangements in a way that protects the child and respects both parents.

Whether you’re a custodial parent seeking support or a non-custodial parent needing clarity on your obligations, having an experienced child support lawyer is essential to achieving a fair and sustainable outcome.Contact in offices in San Diego and Bellevue.

What Is Child Support?

Child support is a court-ordered payment made by one parent to the other to help cover the costs of raising a child. It typically includes:

• Housing and food
• Clothing and transportation
• Education-related expenses
• Health care and insurance
• Childcare and extracurricular activities

In most cases, the parent with less physical custody (the non-custodial parent) pays child support to the parent with primary physical custody, although this is not always the case.

California uses a statewide formula to calculate support, but the specifics of your family situation—your income, your custody arrangement, and your child’s unique needs—can all affect the outcome.

Why You Need a Child Support Lawyer in San Diego

While California has a formulaic approach to child support, real life is rarely formulaic. There are many variables that can complicate even a seemingly straightforward case, including:

• Self-employment or irregular income
• Hidden or unreported income
• Complex custody arrangements
• Special needs or high-cost care
• Disputes about deductions or expenses
• Requests for deviations from guideline amounts

An experienced child support lawyer ensures that:

• All income and expenses are properly disclosed and accounted for
• The support order is fair, enforceable, and tailored to your child’s needs
• You are not overpaying or being underpaid
• The other parent complies with court orders
• Modifications are made when your life changes

At Enright Family Law, we advocate for clear, consistent, and realistic child support outcomes for San Diego families.

How Child Support Is Calculated in California

California’s child support calculation is based on a formula known as the “guideline calculation.” This formula takes into account:

• Each parent’s gross monthly income
• The amount of time each parent spends with the child (parenting time percentage)
• Health insurance premiums and childcare costs
• Tax filing status and allowable deductions
• Other children either parent supports

The result is a monthly child support obligation designed to ensure the child’s standard of living remains as stable as possible.

Our legal team helps you gather the right documentation, understand your obligations, and make sure the calculation is accurate and fair.

Establishing a Child Support Order

Child support can be established through:

• A divorce or legal separation case
• A parentage (paternity) case for unmarried parents
• A support-only action
• An agreement between the parents, approved by the court

Even if both parents agree on an amount, it’s important to have the court issue a formal order to make the agreement enforceable. Without a legal order, you may have no recourse if the other parent fails to pay.

We assist clients at every stage—from calculating support to filing the correct documents with the San Diego family court system.

Modifying a Child Support Order

Life changes. A child support order that worked last year may no longer reflect your current reality. California allows you to modify a support order when there has been a significant change in circumstances, such as:

• A change in income (job loss, promotion, or new job)
• A change in custody or visitation schedules
• A parent becoming disabled
• A parent having another child
• Major changes in childcare or health expenses

To modify support, you must file a Request for Order with the court and show why the change is necessary. We help you prepare strong documentation to support your request and protect your interests during the hearing.

Enforcing Child Support in San Diego

When one parent fails to meet their child support obligation, the consequences can be serious—for both the paying parent and the child. California offers several tools for enforcement, including:

• Wage garnishment
• Bank levies
• Tax refund interceptions
• Driver’s license suspension
• Contempt of court proceedings

At Enright Family Law, we understand how stressful unpaid child support can be. We advocate for swift enforcement while minimizing further conflict whenever possible.

Child Support for Modern Families

We understand that today’s families are not one-size-fits-all. We represent:

• LGBTQ+ parents seeking fair support for non-biological children
• Unmarried co-parents establishing support outside of marriage
• Blended families with multiple custodial arrangements
• Professionals or business owners with complex income streams
• Parents raising children with disabilities or high-cost medical needs

Modern families require legal representation that respects their structure, lifestyle, and evolving needs. At Enright Family Law, we are committed to inclusive and forward-thinking legal solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support

Q: Can we agree on a child support amount different from the guideline?

Yes, but the court must still approve the agreement. The judge will ensure the amount is in the best interest of the child and that neither parent is being unfairly pressured.

Q: Can I refuse visitation if the other parent doesn’t pay child support?

No. Child support and custody are legally separate issues. Denying visitation can backfire legally, even if support isn’t being paid.

Q: What happens if the other parent is self-employed?

We work with financial professionals and use legal discovery tools to accurately assess income from self-employment, investments, or under-the-table work.

Q: Is child support taxable?

No. In California, child support payments are not considered taxable income to the receiving parent and not deductible by the paying parent.

How We Can Help

At Enright Family Law, we provide compassionate, practical guidance for child support cases in San Diego. Whether you’re requesting support, disputing an unfair order, or enforcing your rights, we’re here to help you take control of the process.

We offer:

• Accurate child support calculations
• Representation in support hearings and negotiations
• Modifications when circumstances change
• Enforcement strategies for unpaid support
• Advice tailored to the structure of your modern family

Contact Enright Family Law today to schedule a consultation with a trusted child support lawyer in San Diego. Let’s work together to create a stable financial foundation for your child’s future.