The Law Offices of

B J Fadem & Associates, APC

Certified Family Law Specialist

California child support is centered on the idea that both parents are required to financially support their children.   With that in mind, California has developed child support guidelines to determine what is fair and appropriate based upon a range of factors.  In high-income households, child support often becomes a much contested issue.  At the Law Offices of BJ Fadem & Associates our attorneys are determined to attain results in child support disagreements that are fair to the children and reasonable for our clients.

How does the Court determine income in order to calculate child support?
Each parent’s net disposable income is used to calculate support.  Income for the purpose of child support includes first determining gross income from all sources, such as salary and wages, bonuses, overtime, commissions, rental income, dividends, pensions, disability insurance benefits, unemployment, social security benefits, income from ownership of a business, etc.  Gross income does NOT include need-based public assistance benefits (such as Supplemental Security Income, CalWORKS, or general assistance).  Then the court deducts state and federal tax obligations, union dues, health insurance premiums.

How is timeshare determined?
Timeshare is the amount of time each parent has primary responsibility for the children.  The Court has discretion to calculate the percentage of timeshare based on how involved each parent is.

What about additional expenses for the children?
Certain child-related expenses that the Court can add on to the basic child support guideline amount are uninsured health care and child care used for employment purposes or to attend training necessary for employment.  Education, travel, extracurricular expenses are discretionary.

How long do child support orders last?
Parents have a duty to support their children until their children are 18 years old or graduate from high school if they are 19 and not yet graduated.  However, to the extent they are able, both parents have a duty to support a child of any age who is incapacitated from earning a living and does not have sufficient means to live on their own.

The Law Office of BJ Fadem & Associates review every detail to ensure that all necessary information is accounted for and represented appropriately to obtain the best results for your child support issue.  Our expansive knowledge of family law and years of experience is vital when high-income families or hidden income becomes an issue.

Arrange a No-Pressure and Confidential Consultation.

Can your Law Firm file our Legal documents and/or represent me in any County?
Yes.  We can file in all California Counties and cities, including but not limited to: Alameda County, Alpine County, Amador County, Butte County, Calaveras County, Colusa County, Contra Costa County, Del Norte County, El Dorado County, Fresno County, Glenn County, Humbolt County, Inyo County, King County, Lake County, Lassen County, Madera County, Marin County, Mariposa County, Mendocino County, Merced County, Modoc County, Mono County, Monterey County, Napa County, Nevada County, Placer County, Plumas County, Sacramento County, San Benito County, San Francisco County, San Joaquin County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Shasta County, Sierra County, Siskiyou County, Solano County, Sonoma County, Stanislaus County, Sutter County, Tehama County, Trinity County, Tulare County, Tuolumne County, Yolo County, and Yuba County.  In addition,  B J Fadem has represented hundreds of clients throughout California, the United States and foreign countries [with regard to Hague matters].

Seeking sound legal counsel with regard to Child Support is a very important decision.  Making the wrong or uninformed decision could cost you your family.  Helping families is what Attorney B J Fadem does.

Our Attorneys are skilled at helping clients with Child Support legal issues and making the process as civil and polite as possible. We hope that your case will go to Mediation first or to a Settlement Conference. This will save you both time and money. However, if the Opposing Side does not hold these ideals in high regard, we will be prepared to litigate at trial.

Your issue may be time sensitive.

Please contact our office to set-up your Initial Consultation.

Please read the FAQs prior to your Initial Consultation.

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Client Testimonials
  • BJ Fadem was my lawyer in a child custody case. He was incredible. He knew my fears and took the time to ease everyone of them. BJ was helpful with everything. He is about fair and what is best. I would not have made it through the process without him. BJ is a compassionate, knowledgeable, and straight forward. I would recommend him for anyone that is in need of a Family Law lawyer. Hated going through it, but he made it incredibly painless!Posted by Scot
  • I hired BJ Fadem and Associates to enforced my divorce settlement. BJ Fadem and Associates read through the entire divorce settlement and wrote a letter to my ex-husband pointing out what was not being enforced. BJ is very kind and makes you feel comfortable talking about the situation. BJ and his staff followed through on getting the tasks done and my ex husband complied with his responsiblities. The best possible outcome I could have expected and I couldn't have reached that result without BJ Fadem and his team!Anonymous
  • I have had several opportunities to consult with this law firm over the past few years. I have always received timely and courteous responses to my inquiries. The reason I return time and time again is knowledgeable employees and the respect I am treated with. I also think that the noncondensending matter in which I was treated was a prime factor. It was hard enough to go through what I did, I appreciated not being talked down to by some old stuffy lawyer. Though I have only consulted with Fadem Law, I have referred a few family members who were totally happy with the outcome of their cases.Posted by Claude
  • Mr Fadem is extremely knowledgeable of the laws. Felt he was very in tuned to my needs and fought those. Would definitely would use again. HIGHLY RECOMMENDPosted by Sharon
  • I endorse Mr FADEM Loved The Way He Went To Bat For Me Very Skilled!!! Mostly He Listened When I Thought I Had No Hope!!! Thanks For CaringPosted by Darrell Fears
  • I had a previous attorney who so screwed up my divorce that I almost lost my home, custody and my business!!! When I did my initial consultation with Mr. Fadem, him and and his staff immediately started working on my case to get things saved! The professionalism, customer service and legal knowledge this firm has is incredible!! I can't say enough!! My case is still going on. However, I am so grateful for all they have done and are doing on my behalf!Posted by anonymous
  • I have worked with Mr. Fadem on many occasions and he is as intelligent, professional, and dedicated as they come. His knowledge of family law is outstanding and I refer him to anyone who needs a specialized and highly skilled family law attorney.Posted by Emily
  • As a father with an extremely challenging custody situation, I went through several attorneys before retaining BJ Fadem. Without a doubt BJ has helped my case and my family reach favorable results more quickly and effectively than the collective effort of my first three attorneys combined. Based on years of favorable results and such a positive experience there is no way I would use any other law firm for custody or family law matters. BJ Fadem is absolutely one of the finest custody attorneys in the bay area.Posted by Gary
  • Professional and Skilled. Great Law Office! Mr. BJ Fadem is a knowledgeable and skilled attorney with great experience. Thank you!Larry
    California Jan 27, 2014