RADFORD & ROME, LLP · LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles Child Support Attorneys

Accurate income figures and parenting information are essential to your child support case. Radford & Rome, LLP helps Los Angeles parents seek, respond to, and evaluate changes to child support orders.

Former prosecutors. Prepared advocates for your family.

Child Support Representation in Los Angeles

Why Choose Radford & Rome?

We begin by identifying what is actually disputed: income, parenting time, covered expenses, payments, or the meaning of an order. That focus helps us organize the evidence and explain your position clearly in negotiations or court.

Partners David Rome and Willie Radford bring their experience as former prosecutors to evaluating evidence, preparing witnesses, and presenting contested issues. We provide direct advice about the issues your case presents and prepare for the steps needed to pursue your objectives.

Our office is at 1800 Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90028. We serve clients in Los Angeles and across Southern California. Tell us about any upcoming hearing or response deadline when you contact the firm.

How does California calculate child support?

California uses a statewide guideline. The underlying principles include each parent’s responsibility to support the child according to the parent’s circumstances and ability, with the child’s interests given priority. See Family Code section 4053.

The calculation considers each parent’s net disposable income and the parenting-time allocation, among other inputs. Income can include more than salary, such as commissions, bonuses, self-employment earnings, and rental income. The treatment of deductions and variable income can materially affect the result. See the California Department of Child Support Services’ guideline calculator user guide.

The state’s official guideline calculator provides an estimate, not a guaranteed order. If two calculations differ, compare their inputs before assuming one must be correct. An incomplete income figure or inaccurate parenting-time percentage can change the estimate.

Does equal parenting time eliminate support?

Equal time does not by itself establish that no support is payable. The guideline also considers the parents’ finances. Custody labels alone do not answer the support question; the financial information and actual parenting arrangement must be evaluated together.

Bring a calendar that accurately reflects the schedule and any changes. Avoid treating parenting time as a bargaining tool over money. Your proposed custody arrangement should address the child’s needs, while support should be calculated from reliable information.

What expenses may be added to base support?

Family Code section 4062 requires certain additional support for qualifying childcare actually incurred for employment or reasonably necessary employment education or training, unless already included in the guideline calculation, and reasonable uninsured healthcare costs. The court may also order certain education or special-needs costs and travel expenses for visitation.

An order should be reviewed for how covered expenses are allocated and documented. Keep invoices, proof of payment, reimbursement requests, and any responses. Do not assume every optional expense is automatically reimbursable or that every additional expense is necessarily divided equally.

How do you request or modify an order?

The correct filing route depends on the existing case and whether the local child support agency is involved. In an existing family case, a Request for Order may be used to seek support. The California Courts filing-options guide explains the available routes.

A significant change in income, parenting time, or other relevant circumstances may support a modification request. Do not assume the existing amount changes automatically. California Courts explains that a judge generally cannot modify support for a period before the request for change was filed. See the California Courts child-support guide. Act promptly if the current order no longer fits the circumstances.

When does child support end?

Support does not always stop on the eighteenth birthday. Under Family Code section 3901, support continues for an unmarried, non-self-supporting eighteen-year-old who is a full-time high school student until completing twelfth grade or turning nineteen, whichever happens first. The statute includes an exception to the attendance requirement for a documented medical condition. Other legal obligations or agreements may also require separate analysis. Review the order before stopping payments.

What should you bring to your attorney?

Gather the current order, pending requests, recent income records, tax returns, a parenting calendar, insurance and childcare expense records, and a payment history. If self-employment or variable compensation is involved, include the records needed to explain those amounts. Identify any local child support agency case number and correspondence.

A productive consultation focuses on what is disputed: the income, the schedule, the expenses, the payment history, or the legal effect of an existing order. That focus helps determine what evidence and court action may be needed.

Related family law services: child custody and parenting plans; spousal support.

Radford & Rome, LLP is based in Los Angeles and represents clients in family law matters across Southern California. Learn about our family law representation or request a consultation. Call (213) 550-3477 to discuss your case.

This page provides general information about California law and is not legal advice for a particular case. Reading it or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.