Sacramento, CA family law attorney Mary Molinaro explains who pays child support in California. There is a statutory obligation for both parents to support their children, and this responsibility is shared equally. If one parent is not working, the reasons behind their unemployment can be crucial. Should a parent be deliberately unemployed to avoid fulfilling their child support obligation or simply chooses not to work, the court is empowered to impute income to that parent. This can occur even in the absence of actual earnings, provided it aligns with the best interests of the children.