When a California court orders child support, the specific dollar amount, who pays it, and how it is paid do not live on the Judgment or the hearing order itself. They live on Form FL-342, Child Support Information and Order Attachment, a companion form that attaches to a Judgment (FL-180) or a Findings and Order After Hearing (FL-340).
Key Takeaway: FL-342 states the actual child support order: the monthly amount, who pays, the start date, and how the amount was calculated. It attaches to a Judgment or Findings and Order After Hearing and should be consistent with the income figures on each parent's FL-150.
Form FL-342, "Child Support Information and Order Attachment," is the California Judicial Council form that documents a child support order in detail. It is an attachment, not a standalone filing, meaning it is always submitted along with:
- A Judgment (form FL-180), when child support is being ordered as part of finalizing a divorce, legal separation, or parentage case, or
- A Findings and Order After Hearing (form FL-340), when a judge orders support after a hearing on a Request for Order
FL-342 gives the court, both parents, and the local child support agency a single, detailed record of the support terms: the amount, who pays, when it starts, how it is paid, and how related costs like health insurance and childcare are handled.
California does not leave the child support number to guesswork or negotiation alone. The state uses a statewide guideline formula, set out in the Family Code, that is applied the same way in every county.
The guideline formula weighs two main inputs:
- Each parent's net disposable income, meaning income after certain allowed deductions
- The amount of time each parent spends with the children, often called the time share
These inputs feed into a formula that produces a presumptively correct support amount. Courts and attorneys typically run the formula through certified software rather than by hand, but the underlying inputs are what actually drive the result.
Where the Income Numbers Come From
The income figures used in the guideline calculation come directly from each parent's Income and Expense Declaration, Form FL-150. This is why FL-150 accuracy matters so much: if the income numbers on FL-150 are incomplete or wrong, the guideline support amount calculated for FL-342 will be wrong too. For a full walkthrough of that form, see How to Fill Out Form FL-150.
Before finalizing the numbers on FL-342, double check that the income figures match what is currently on file in each parent's FL-150. Support orders based on outdated or inconsistent income information are a common source of later disputes.
Here is what you will actually fill in on FL-342.
1. Case and Party Information
At the top, you will enter the county, case number, and the names of both parents, consistent with how they appear on the Judgment or Findings and Order After Hearing this attachment is being filed with.
2. The Guideline Calculation
This section documents that guideline child support was calculated, generally referencing the income figures and time share used. If a certified guideline calculator generated a printout, that printout is typically attached along with FL-342.
3. Monthly Support Amount and Paying Parent
This is the core of the form: the actual monthly dollar amount ordered, and which parent is ordered to pay it to the other. Some orders step down or change at defined future dates (for example, when a child ages out of certain add-on costs), and any such changes should be spelled out clearly rather than left implied.
4. Start Date
FL-342 states the date the support order begins. This should be a specific, unambiguous date.
<h2 id="how-support-is-paid">How Support Is Paid: Income Withholding</h2>Once a child support order is in place, it needs a payment mechanism. In California, that is most commonly an income withholding order, Form FL-195.
Under this arrangement, the paying parent's employer is ordered to deduct the child support amount directly from their paycheck and send it to the appropriate state disbursement channel, which then forwards it to the receiving parent. Income withholding is the default method in most cases because it is reliable and reduces the chance of missed or late payments.
In some situations, parents may arrange to pay support directly to one another instead of through income withholding, but this depends on the specifics of the case and is not automatic. Confirm with your county Superior Court self-help center how withholding is set up for your particular order.
<h2 id="health-insurance-and-medical">Health Insurance and Uninsured Medical Costs</h2>Child support is about more than a single monthly number. FL-342 also documents:
- Which parent, if either, is ordered to maintain health insurance coverage for the children, and through what source (employer plan, individual plan, or other coverage)
- How uninsured medical, dental, and vision costs (the portion insurance does not cover) are divided between the parents, commonly split by percentage
Leaving health insurance or uninsured medical cost provisions blank on FL-342 is one of the most common gaps in a proposed order. Without clear terms here, disputes over who owes what for a copay, orthodontia, or a medical bill can drag on long after the order is entered.
FL-342 also addresses childcare costs, typically work related or education related childcare that a parent needs in order to work or attend school or training. Like uninsured medical costs, these are usually divided between the parents by percentage rather than assigned entirely to one side.
Beyond routine health and childcare costs, parents can also address other agreed additional expenses, such as costs tied to extracurricular activities or specific educational needs, and how those costs will be split going forward.
California law treats the guideline calculation as presumptively correct. That means the court starts from the assumption that the guideline number is the right child support amount for the case, unless a specific legal reason justifies a different figure.
Parents are allowed to agree to a support amount that differs from guideline, but that agreement has limits:
- The court still reviews the agreement to confirm it adequately meets the children's needs
- Parents generally cannot simply agree to no child support or an amount that is clearly inadequate
- Any deviation from guideline is typically expected to be explained on the record
If you and the other parent are considering an amount other than guideline, or you need to ask the court to address support as part of a broader request, our guide on How to Fill Out Form FL-300 walks through how to bring a support related request before the court.
<h2 id="common-mistakes">Common Mistakes to Avoid</h2>- Support figures on FL-342 that do not match the income numbers on the current FL-150 for either parent
- Leaving the health insurance section blank instead of specifying which parent covers the children
- Omitting how uninsured medical costs will be split between the parents
- Leaving out childcare cost provisions when childcare is actually being used
- An unclear or missing start date for when the support order takes effect
- Failing to attach FL-342 to the Judgment (FL-180) or Findings and Order After Hearing (FL-340) it belongs with
What is Form FL-342 used for?
Form FL-342, Child Support Information and Order Attachment, states the actual child support order in a California family law case. It does not stand alone. It attaches to a Judgment (form FL-180) or a Findings and Order After Hearing (form FL-340), and it spells out the monthly amount, who pays, when support starts, and how it is paid.
How is California child support calculated?
California uses a statewide guideline formula set out in the Family Code. The formula weighs each parent's net disposable income and the amount of time each parent spends with the children. The income figures used in the calculation come from each parent's Income and Expense Declaration, form FL-150, so accuracy on that form matters before FL-342 is prepared.
Can parents agree to a different child support amount than guideline?
Yes, within limits. Guideline child support is presumptively correct, meaning the court starts from the assumption that the guideline number is the right amount. Parents can agree to a different figure, but the court reviews the agreement to confirm the children's needs are met and that neither parent is waiving support in a way the law does not allow.
How is child support actually paid once FL-342 is signed?
Most California child support orders are paid through an income withholding order, form FL-195, which directs the paying parent's employer to deduct support directly from wages. Support can also be paid directly between parents in some cases, but income withholding is the default and generally the most reliable method.
Does FL-342 cover health insurance and childcare costs?
It should. FL-342 includes sections for health insurance coverage for the children and for how uninsured medical costs and work related or education related childcare costs are divided between the parents. Leaving these sections blank is one of the most common and costly mistakes on this form.
What happens if the FL-342 numbers do not match the FL-150?
Mismatched numbers between FL-342 and each parent's Income and Expense Declaration are a common reason a proposed order gets questioned or delayed. Since guideline support is calculated directly from the FL-150 income figures, any inconsistency between the two forms should be resolved before the order is submitted.
When does a child support order signed on FL-342 actually start?
The start date is stated directly on FL-342 and should be unambiguous, for example a specific calendar date rather than a vague reference like "the date of filing." An unclear start date can create confusion later about how much support is owed and from when, so this section deserves careful attention.
How Virdix Helps With FL-342
Child support orders live or die on consistency: the numbers on FL-342 need to match the income figures on each parent's FL-150, and the health insurance, medical cost, and childcare sections need to actually be filled in rather than left blank. Virdix is built to help you get there:
- Guided questions, plain language prompts replace confusing legal terms
- Consistency checks, your income answers carry through from FL-150 to FL-342 automatically
- Complete support terms, prompts for health insurance, medical costs, and childcare so nothing is left blank
- Clear start dates, guidance on stating an unambiguous effective date for the order
We do not replace an attorney for contested support disputes, but for straightforward cases, Virdix helps make sure your FL-342 is complete and consistent with the rest of your paperwork.
Start Your California Child Support Paperwork →
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Virdix is a document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed California family law attorney.
Sources: California Courts Self-Help Center (selfhelp.courts.ca.gov), Judicial Council of California