When you or your ex remarries, you may wonder how that changes child support. Getting remarried doesn’t automatically change a support order, but it can influence certain factors that determine how much support you pay or receive
New spouse income usually doesn’t count
California courts generally don’t consider a new spouse’s income when calculating child support. The law bases child support on the parents’ income and time spent with the child. So, even if one parent marries someone wealthy, that new income usually doesn’t affect support amounts.
There are exceptions. If a parent intentionally stops working and relies entirely on their new spouse’s income, the court may “impute” income—meaning the judge assumes what that parent could be earning—and adjust support based on that amount.
In rare cases, if ignoring the new spouse’s income would significantly harm the child’s well-being, a judge may choose to consider it.
Remarriage can impact custody and parenting time
Custody arrangements play a significant role in child support. If remarriage leads to a new child or a move, it might shift the parenting schedule. That change could raise or lower support, depending on how much time each parent now spends with the child.
Let’s say one parent remarries and moves out of town. If that move means less time with the child, the other parent may ask to change support. More parenting time usually means paying less support.
New children may affect payments
If either parent has more children with a new partner, it can influence support. California courts can lower support if the paying parent can show they have a legal duty to support more kids. Still, that doesn’t erase the responsibility to the first child. The court carefully looks at both households and balances needs.
Changes need legal approval
Simply getting remarried doesn’t change your child support order. If life changes after a new marriage, you need to ask the court to review and modify support. Until the court approves changes, the original order stays in place.
