The phrase describes readily accessible online tools designed to estimate court-ordered financial contributions for raising children in California. These tools typically require input of both parents’ income, deductions, and time-sharing arrangements, utilizing the state’s guideline formula for calculation. An example would be a free, web-based application that prompts users to enter specific financial details and then generates an estimated support amount.
The significance of such resources lies in providing a preliminary understanding of potential financial obligations or entitlements related to parental responsibility. This awareness can be beneficial during divorce proceedings, child custody disputes, or modifications to existing orders. Historically, calculating these obligations required manual computations based on complex legal statutes; the advent of digital tools has simplified the process, offering a faster and more accessible, though non-binding, estimate.