To determine child support in California, a computer program is used, which computes guidelines that have been set and approved by your legislature. Certain variables are added into an equation which results in an answer as to which party pays child support and the amount of support that is to be paid. California has guidelines based upon the income of the parties, the amount (percentage) of visitation and various required expenses.

To ensure the health and safety of the children, the Court will usually order medical insurance to be paid, with a division between the parties for all medical bills not covered by the medical insurance. Support normally continues until the child is eighteen or if the child is still in high school, until the child is nineteen.