I have 3 kids. One just turned 18 so next month CS will go down $405/mo, based on the Guideline Support Calculator. The MSA has the dollar amounts for each child and that drops off automatically (this is standard CA law per our mediator).

Here's where I'm confused. If I run the same calculation as if we only had 2 kids, the CS drops $411, but the SS goes UP by $468.

So if I do nothing, my payment drop $405/mo. But if we recalculate, my payment goes UP $57/mo.

In fact, if change my ex's income from 32k/yr (currently imputed at min wage full time) to 45k/yr with 2 kids on CS, CS goes down $567, but SS goes UP by $238/mo so overall with only 2 children and her higher salary I am down $329/mo vs. the $405 if I just don't touch anything.

Do I just play dumb/lazy and not file for anything since I'll be netting $405 more just letting my oldest drop off CS? Why does it over shift into SS to the point where I'm paying her MORE when she makes MORE? Help it make sense!