README "CCS Est," the California Child Support Estimator README The computer program described below, called "CCS Est," is a Windows shareware product. It calculates child support payments in California. It costs $20.00. To register, send a check or money order, made out to WLP, to WLP; P.O. Box 4181; Mountain View, CA 94040-0181. To distribute this program, distribute only the compressed ZIP file, ccsest*.zip, and not any or all of the individual files. Thank you. Are you TIRED OF PAYING YOUR ATTORNEY $150.00 AN HOUR (OR MORE!) to give you simple information about child support payments? And just when you think you understand one set of figures, when you have to change anything in the calculation you have to PAY YOUR ATTORNEY AGAIN to be told your new amount of child support payments! The fact is that California requires child support to be calculated using a statutory* formula. All you do is feed the formula some basic numbers (we'll tell you how), do some fairly complex mathematical calculations (that's where we come in), and the result is the amount of child support owed. This formula is used whether you are the payor (the one who pays child support to your ex-spouse**) OR whether you are the payee (the one who receives child support from your ex-spouse**). We offer a simple computer program that will calculate your child support payments. It was developed by a computer scientist and a family law attorney. Our intentions are these: [1] You will better UNDERSTAND the formula used in calculating child support payments in California. It is our philosophy that the more you know about the statutory child support payment formula, the better off you will be in your negotiations with your ex-spouse** regarding same. [2] You will PROBABLY SAVE MONEY because you will be able to figure out the amount of child support owed without having to go to an attorney to ask him/her to calculate it for you. Even better, if any factor in the calculation changes (change of income of either ex-spouse, change of time each spouse has the child/ren), you can use this program again at no additional cost to you to figure out the new child support payment due. Registered purchasers of CCS Est will receive: - Free technical support (up to one-half hour's worth)****, via your choice of E-mail or postal mail; - Notice of changes to the statutory* formula if the California legislature changes it. TO REGISTER CCS Est : Send a check or money order (made out to WLP) for $20.00 to WLP; P.O. Box 4181; Mountain View, CA 94040-0181. Please supply us with your name and your E-mail or postal mail address. Our E-mail address, for inquires or technical information for registered user only, is: ccsest@aol.com. PLEASE NOTE: This computer program is labeled an "estimate" because it assumes a good faith effort on your part to put in accurate numbers. In order to know how to put in accurate numbers you must click the "Help" button in the program to be told the definitions of "net income," of "custodial time" and of "custodial children." You must also read the help section on "exceptions and adjustments to the child support formula" to see if these exceptions to the general rule of straight formula use apply to you. Advantages of this program include: - You can put in any numbers you wish to get an "answer." You will then know what figures get you which answers. You can do these calculations over and over and over and over ..... - You can do a "ballpark" estimate of income to get a general answer to your questions about how much child support is owed in your situation. However, you must use the statutory definitions given in "Help" to get a more accurate estimate. - You do not need to pay for an attorney to run those numbers for you. (You can do these calculations over and over and over ....). The disadvantage of this program is that it is not approved by the courts. In order to get a court-approved computer print-out you will have to go to an attorney to have him/her run your figures through the $500.00 court-approved computer program.*** But, as we've said, you will probably save money at that attorney visit since you will already know what your child support order will be and you won't have to ask him/her lots of questions about the formula. And, you won't have to ask him/her what the support amount would be if you used other numbers because you will already know that answer having already run the numbers ad infinitum yourself. (Please be aware, however, that , as in almost every area of the law, child support law can have nuances that you may wish to have your attorney explain. This program addresses the child support calculation only.) You should also be aware that the $500.00 court-approved computer program takes into account the tax ramifications of using different incomes in the formula. For example, you may wish to have the high earner in your situation (often the ex-husband) pay more money to the low earner (often the ex-wife) in order to take advantage of the low earner's lower tax bracket. The way this is sometimes done is by labeling some portion of the support payment "family support" instead of straight child support, or spousal support. These parties know that spousal support (AKA "alimony") is deductible for the payor and is considered income for tax purposes for the payee. (Child support, on the other hand, is generally not deductible for the payor or considered income for the payee.) PLEASE CONSULT YOUR ATTORNEY ABOUT THIS OPTION, or at least discuss this issue with your ex-spouse**. You can still use CCS Est to attempt to figure this tax option out, but you may wish professional help at this point. The $500.00 court-approved program will also figure out your income for you when you feed it the numbers it asks for. Our "Help" button tells gives you a definition, and detailed explanation of, income. It's up to you to do your calculations to arrive at your income figure and feed that figure into our program (or to simply feed the program your "ballpark" estimate of your income and get a "ballpark" answer). WARNING: We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding your use of our product. This California child support estimate computer program is offered for your use in calculating an estimate of child support payments due in your case only. We recommend that you have many (free) discussions about your proposed support schedule with your ex-spouse and verify (for a fee) your payment schedule with a family law attorney who uses a court-approved child support computer program, such as Dissomaster or SupporTax. EXCLUSIVE REMEDY: Your exclusive remedy for dissatisfaction with this product is a refund of your registration fee/purchase price. Please let us know what caused your dissatisfaction. We will try to fix that problem, both for you and for future purchasers. LIMITATIONS ON DAMAGES: In no event will WLP be liable for any consequential or incidental damages whatsoever arising from any calculations or estimates that you make using CCS Est, or your inability to use this program as intended, or your inability to follow its instructions. Liability is strictly limited to the price you paid to us to acquire and/or register this program. Please ask for technical support if you have questions about operating our program, or ask a family law attorney about the particulars of your child support case. Your use of this program constitutes your agreement to this License and Disclaimer. Thank you for using CCS Est. *The term "statute" or "statutory" simply means a law that was written by a legislator and voted into law by a legislative body. The California state legislature voted to approve this formula. **For ease of usage we use the term "ex-spouse" to mean your child/ren's other parent. The law doesn't care whether you were married to your child/ren's other parent; the statutory child support payment formula applies to married and unmarried parents. ***Many courts have the court-approved child support computer program on site, and you may attempt to use the program there. ****Attorney support is available for this program, but (surprise, surprise) it is not free. If you wish to take advantage of this option, our attorney author will discuss your problem with you and come up with a mutually agreeable fee structure to answer your questions. As you can imagine, discussion of the child support calculation can easily bring up legal questions, so don't be offended if you're continually steered toward a free technical answer and advised to seek legal advice elsewhere.