Does anyone know how to calculate child support? My ex and I would like to go about doing this ourselves rather than the court doing it, but I want to make sure I get a fair amount since I have 100% custody.

Why don't you do joint custody and you can each spend equal time parenting the child? A week on, a week off, 50/50 split down the middle.

My ex does not want to take responsibility for our son. He also travels a lot for his job (he is in the military) and does not have a stable schedule. I let him see our son as much as he can as often as he wants and it is still only about 2-4 hours a week, max.

If he's in the military, like I was, he has access to free mediation services. I would suggest you take advantage of that. That way it could be written down, signed by a judge, and income with-holding could be used.

All without having to go to court, and you both have the reassurance that it would be written up properly without any loopholes.

Making CS payments without income with-holding usually isn't the best interests of either party. If you go throught the military mediators, you could get your checks on time when you expect them, and he will always have documentation of CS paid.

Ask him to contact his recruiter, or commanding officer.

Most states have guidlines that they follow for the amount of income he makes. You may be able to find it on line or call your local court house and ask if they will send it to you. Most of the info you are looking for can be found there.
Best of luck to you.

Definitely signed court order as to the amount is best. Gives you some sort of enforcement if needed.

To give you an idea of amount http://www.alllaw.com/calculators/Childsupport/california/

Thank you for the web site. I went to the Self-Help and Assistance office in my area and had them calculate a guideline amount (which was needed to fill out paperwork anyway). Aparently Califonia says the custodial parent should be working at least full time making min wage and that is the amount they use to calculate support (even though I make less than that!). Sort of irritates me because I wish they would go by my actual income. I guess its just another of the "fun" parts of divorcing.