The Child Support Formula and Multiple Children

The child support calculator can be pretty straightforward when there is only one child to account for. But when you factor in multiple children, the calculation gets a little more complicated.

When you figure out the amount of child support for one child, you might assume that you can just multiply that amount by the total number of children you have, but that isn’t how it works. The youngest child is considered to require the most financial resources.

Once you determine the full amount of child support needed for your youngest child, each additional child’s allocation decreases by an increasing percentage. So if child support for one child is $1,000, the total for two is going to be less than $2,000. Unless there is a significant cost associated with an older child, the youngest always accounts for the majority of the total child support.
 

Multipliers for Each Child in the Child Support Formula

The multipliers for additional children are as follows:

• 2 children = 1.6
• 3 children = 2
• 4 children = 2.3
• 5 children = 2.5
• 6 children = 2.625
• 7 children = 2.75

So, according to the child support formula, the amount for each additional child increases at a decreasing rate. If the youngest is entitled to $1,000 in child support, then the next would only bring the total up to $1,600. Three would be $2,000, and so on.
 

How Does Cost of Living Factor In?

The policies underlying the child support formula consider the youngest to require the most resources and thus be the most expensive. However, California’s high cost of living includes expenses like clothing, food, transportation, and extracurricular activities that don’t necessarily decrease as the child ages.

California parents of multiple kids tend to disagree that additional children require fewer resources. This is especially true for a parent who has the kids for the majority of the time.
 

What If a Child Spends More Time With One Parent?

The child support formula doesn’t take into consideration whether a child spends more time with one parent than the other. This may have to do with various factors such as the child’s age or the parents’ work or housing situations.

There is no standardized formula to weigh this out, so it is necessary for the parents and the court to make adjustments based on the family’s unique reality. This situation may call for some creative problem solving, and both parties will benefit from the assistance of good counsel and advocacy.
 

How Does Child Support Change Over Time?

While it may initially seem unfair that older children are considered cheaper, this provision can soften the financial blow as older children turn 18. The oldest accounts for the lowest portion, so losing their share has the least impact on the custodial parent’s finances. The child support formula may make it easier for this parent to adjust by decreasing at an increasing rate.

This formula is not so beneficial to the parent who pays the child support. While this parent certainly pays less as each child reaches adulthood, the savings starts with the least expensive allotment and increases from there.

If you feel the child support formula does not take into consideration certain factors unique to your situation, we can help you sort out the details and determine a fair and appropriate amount.