How to Handle Child Support and Custody in Riverside County
Hi—I’m Tim Blankenship from Divorce661. If you’re filing for divorce in Riverside County and wondering how to handle custody and support, this guide will walk you through the essentials: what custody types mean, how child support is calculated in California, how to create a court-ready parenting plan, and how an amicable approach can save you time, money, and stress.
Overview: Custody vs. Support
Many parents mix up custody and child support. Here’s the difference in plain terms:
- Legal custody — Who makes major decisions for the child (education, health care, religion).
- Physical custody — Where the child lives and the day-to-day schedule.
- Child support — Financial assistance to cover the child’s needs; calculated using California’s guideline formula.
Joint Legal and Physical Custody: What It Looks Like
In California, joint legal custody is common and means both parents share decision-making responsibility. Physical custody can be split in many ways—common arrangements include primary custody with visitation or an equal time (50/50) schedule.
Agreeing on a clear parenting schedule makes daily life predictable for your child and reduces conflict between parents. Once both parents agree on custody and a schedule, that agreement is incorporated into the marital settlement agreement so it becomes an official court order.
Creating a Parenting Plan That Courts Will Accept
A court-compliant parenting plan should be specific and practical. Key elements to include:
- Detailed parenting time schedule (weekdays, weekends, holidays, vacations)
- Decision-making structure for major issues
- Transportation and exchange logistics
- Communication expectations between parents
- Process for resolving disputes or modifying the plan
When a parenting plan is thorough and agreed to by both parents, you often avoid hearings and contested litigation. That’s better for everyone—especially the kids.
How Child Support Is Calculated in California
California uses a guideline formula to determine child support. The official tool used by courts and professionals is Dissomaster (often called DISOMaster or Dissomaster). This program takes into account:
- Each parent’s gross income
- Time each parent spends with the child (parenting time)
- Deductible expenses like mandatory retirement and health insurance
- Tax filing status and childcare costs
The result is a consistent, court-acceptable figure that aims to be fair to both parents and in the child’s best interest. While the guideline calculation is standard, parents are allowed to agree on a different support amount if that arrangement better serves the child.
“You don’t have to go to court or hire an attorney.”
Real Client Example: 50/50 Custody in Riverside
Recently, we helped a Riverside couple who agreed to joint legal custody and a 50/50 parenting schedule. Here’s how we handled it:
- Calculated guideline support using Dissomaster.
- Drafted a comprehensive parenting plan and marital settlement agreement.
- E-filed the agreements with the court for approval.
They avoided courtroom appearances entirely. Their support calculation and paperwork were accepted on the first submission. This is a great example of how an amicable, organized approach can produce efficient results.
How Divorce661 Can Help
At Divorce661 we focus on helping amicable couples get divorced without unnecessary court battles. Our services include:
- Court-compliant parenting plans and support agreements
- Official child support calculations using Dissomaster
- Flat-fee pricing—no surprise costs
- 100% remote support and e-filing across Riverside County
We prepare the forms correctly so you don’t get rejected or delayed by the court. Our goal is to handle the details so you can focus on your family.
Next Steps
If you’re ready to simplify custody and support—or want a free consultation to review your options—visit Divorce661.com. We’ll walk you through a tailored plan, calculate support accurately, and prepare the documents so you can move forward with confidence.
Questions about custody, Dissomaster, or drafting a parenting plan? Reach out—we’re here to help you get the agreement that works for your family.
