Child support on $30,000 a year in California (4 children)
California guidelines effective January 1, 2026. California overview
If Parent A earns $30,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the children live mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), California's guideline amount is $618 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Across the table below it ranges from $1,233 paid by Parent B (Parent B earns $100,000, equal time) to $904 (Parent B earns $30,000, Parent A has no overnights).
This is the guideline amount, not a court order.
Change the numbers
Guideline child support
California · 4 children · Parent A $30000 per year · Parent B $40000 per year · children live mostly with Parent B
$618 a month
Parent A pays Parent B
- Parent A: 35.5% of combined income
- Parent B: 64.5%
How it adds up
- Combined income
- $6,054 a month
- Basic obligation
- $844 a month
- Parent A's share of income
- 35.5%
- After the low-income rule
- $618 a month
- Guideline amount
- $618 a month
See the worksheet for this example
- California's low-income adjustment applies because the paying parent’s net income is below $2,929. The guideline range is $618 to $844; this estimate shows the lowest amount, which applies unless the adjustment is rebutted.
- Net income was estimated with California's standard assumptions (head of household for the parent the children live with, 2026 tax year). Your actual taxes may differ.
- California's guidelines change on January 1, 2027. Switch versions above to compare.
California uses the statewide guideline formula model under Cal. Fam. Code §§4050–4076. Official calculator: childsupport.ca.gov. Child support agency: California Department of Child Support Services.
Estimate under California's child support guidelines effective January 1, 2026. Verified against the official California sources on October 6, 2026. Not legal advice. Courts can deviate from the guidelines. How we calculate →
By parenting time and the other parent's income
| Overnights | $0 | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $691 A→B | $870 A→B | $904 A→B | $904 A→B | $904 A→B | $904 A→B | $904 A→B | $904 A→B |
| 52 | $676 A→B | $690 A→B | $666 A→B | $618 A→B | $576 A→B | $542 A→B | $456 A→B | $374 A→B |
| 104 | $635 A→B | $433 A→B | $336 A→B | $229 A→B | $133 A→B | $59 A→B | $187 B→A | $439 B→A |
| 128 | $606 A→B | $289 A→B | $153 A→B | $13 A→B | $150 B→A | $282 B→A | $626 B→A | $952 B→A |
| 182 | $518 A→B | $112 B→A | $458 B→A | $188 A→B | $80 B→A | $340 B→A | $804 B→A | $1,233 B→A |
The California worksheet for this example
| Line | Official label | Value |
|---|---|---|
| NDI-A | Net disposable income (Parent A)Parent A's net income | $2,146.66 a month |
| NDI-B | Net disposable income (Parent B)Parent B's net income | $3,906.94 a month |
| TN | Total net monthly disposable income of both partiesCombined net income | $6,053.60 a month |
| H% | Approximate percentage of time that the high earner has primary physical responsibilityHigher earner's parenting time | 85.75% |
| K-factor | Fraction from §4055(b)(3)Share of income for one child | 0.25 |
| K | K = (1 + H%) or (2 − H%) × fractionTime-adjusted share | 0.29 |
| CS | CS = K[HN − (H%)(TN)] × child multiplierBasic child support | $844.00 a month |
| LIA | Low-income adjustment (lowest amount of the range)After the low-income adjustment | $618.00 a month |
| Total | Total child support per monthGuideline amount | $618.00 a month |
Open the official Child Support Information and Order Attachment (FL-342) →
With child care and health insurance
| Costs | Guideline amount |
|---|---|
| No add-ons | $618 a month A→B |
| Child care $500 a month | $759 a month A→B |
| Child care $1,000 a month | $899 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $150 a month | $629 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $300 a month | $639 a month A→B |
Child care for work or job training and uninsured health costs are shared by net income, with the paying parent's income reduced by the basic support. Health insurance premiums are deducted from income instead.
Things to know about this example
- California's low-income adjustment applies because the paying parent’s net income is below $2,929. The guideline range is $618 to $844; this estimate shows the lowest amount, which applies unless the adjustment is rebutted.
- Net income was estimated with California's standard assumptions (head of household for the parent the children live with, 2026 tax year). Your actual taxes may differ.
- California's guidelines change on January 1, 2027. Switch versions above to compare.
How California works it out
California uses one statewide formula: CS = K[HN − (H%)(TN)]. HN is the higher earner's net income, TN is both parents' net income and H% is the higher earner's share of parenting time. K is a share of combined income that depends on TN and the timeshare. More children multiply the one-child amount.
The formula uses net disposable income: gross income minus federal and state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state disability insurance, health insurance premiums and support paid for other children. This estimate works out taxes the way the state's calculator does by default.
Parenting time is part of the formula, so every change in the timeshare changes the amount. If the result is negative, the lower earner pays the higher earner.
Frequently asked questions
How much child support is paid on $30,000 in California for 4 children?
If Parent A earns $30,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the children live mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), California's guideline amount is about $618 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
How much is that a week?
That is about $143 a week (the monthly amount × 12 ÷ 52).
What if the parents share time equally?
With about equal parenting time and the same incomes, the guideline amount is about $188 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
What if Parent B has no income?
If Parent B has no income and the children live mostly with Parent B, the guideline amount is about $676 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Official sources and verification
- Law: Cal. Fam. Code §§4050–4076
- California child support guidelines
- Child Support Information and Order Attachment (FL-342)
- Official California child support calculator
- California Department of Child Support Services
- Changing a California child support order
Guidelines effective January 1, 2026. Verified against the official California sources on October 6, 2026. How we calculate →