Child Support · Estimate Tool

California Child Support Estimator

A quick, ballpark estimate based on California's statutory guideline formula (Family Code §4055). Enter each parent's net monthly income and the children's time with each parent to see an approximate range.

This is a simplified estimate, not a legal or court-ready calculation. It uses the same underlying formula as the state's official calculator, but skips the detailed tax, deduction, and add-on questions the certified tools ask. For a filing, hearing, or anything you plan to rely on, use the official DCSS Guideline Calculator or a court-certified program.

Children Number of children in common

Count only children both parents share.

Net Monthly Income

Parent A — net monthly income ($)

Parent B — net monthly income ($)

Net disposable income — after taxes, mandatory retirement, health premiums, and other support already being paid. See our line-by-line field guide for how to work this number out.

Parenting Time Percent of time children spend with Parent A

0% (all with Parent B) 50% 100% (all with Parent A)

Base this on actual overnights or care time, not what an old agreement says.

Estimated monthly support

Total combined net income—

Higher earner—

Income allocation (K)—

Children multiplier—

This estimate does not apply California's low-income adjustment, which can reduce support when the paying parent's net income falls below full-time minimum wage. That threshold changes over time. The official DCSS calculator applies the adjustment automatically — run your numbers there if the paying parent's income may be near or below it.

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Legal Disclaimer

This calculator is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It applies a simplified version of the formula found in California Family Code section 4055 to numbers you enter directly, and does not account for tax computations, mandatory deductions, hardship adjustments, add-on expenses, the low-income adjustment, or other factors that California's official, certified child support calculators apply automatically. The result is a rough approximation only and may differ — sometimes significantly — from the amount a court would actually order.

This tool does not constitute legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney or use of a Judicial Council–certified child support calculator (such as the California Department of Child Support Services' Guideline Calculator, DissoMaster, X-Spouse, or SupporTax). Only a family law judge or child support commissioner has the authority to set an actual child support order. California Rule of Court 5.275 requires that only a certified program be used in formal child support proceedings; this tool is not certified and should not be submitted to, or relied upon by, any court.

Los Angeles Paralegals is a Legal Document Assistant, registered and bonded in Los Angeles County, California under Business & Professions Code §6400–6415. As a Legal Document Assistant, we prepare legal documents at a client's specific direction and do not provide legal advice, do not represent clients in court, and do not tell clients what to do in their case. Use of this calculator does not establish a client relationship of any kind.

By using this tool, you acknowledge and agree that Los Angeles Paralegals and its owner(s) make no warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy of any estimate produced, and assume no liability for decisions made in reliance on it.