CHILD CUSTODY:
California recognizes two types of custody: physical custody (when a child will physically live with a parent) and legal custody: (a parent’s ability to make decisions regarding the child’s health, welfare, education, and other important issues).
Chief amount other factors the court will consider must be the safety and welfare of the child.
To determine this, California Courts look to a variety of factors, including, the physical and emotional wellbeing of the child, the health of the child, age of the child, emotional ties, ability of a parent to care for the child, history of violence, alcohol/substance abuse, child’s connection to the community, the current status quo, and possible the wishes of the child.
Unless it poses a danger to the child, California’s public policy is to facilitate frequent and continuous contact with both parents.
CHILD SUPPORT:
California’s Statutory Child Support Scheme (or Guideline Support) as a complex algebraic equation which involves various factors, the most important of which includes the incomes of the respective parties along with the timeshare each enjoys with the child. A court will consider multiple sources of income including: wages, self-employment earnings, unemployment benefits, disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, social security, pensions, dividends, stocks, trust benefits, investments, rental properties’ income, even state lottery and prize winnings.
The court will consider expenses such as mortgages, rents, food, clothing, health insurance, etc.
SPOUSAL SUPPORT:
California’s Temporary Spousal (Alimony) Support laws are designed to maintain the status quo until a permanent order is issued. Courts consider multiple factors including, age, physical and financial conditions of the spouses, the spouses’ earning abilities, standard of living, length of marriage, and the ability of the payor to support himself/herself.
