Is the CA guideline support calculator accurate?
CAsunflower_la1 month ago
Used a free DissoMaster-style calculator online. Got a number. Is that what the court will actually order?
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1 reply
✓ Verified answer from a licensed attorney — shown first
Mostly yes, with caveats. The guideline number from DissoMaster, XSpouse, or the state's own calculator is rebuttable but in practice judges deviate from it rarely. The reasons your number could be off: (a) wrong custody timeshare percentage (this is the biggest swing factor), (b) wrong tax-filing assumptions, (c) one parent has unreported income or perks (housing, car) that should be added back. If your calculator shows a number based on accurate inputs, it's a good planning estimate. Bring backup documents to the hearing — the judge will run their own DissoMaster on the bench.
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Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.