Sia Agrees to $42,500/Month Child Support Under California Guidelines
On April 7, 2026, pop singer Sia (Sia Furler) finalized a California child support agreement requiring her to pay estranged husband Daniel Bernad $42,500 per month for their 23-month-old son, Somersault Wonder Bernard, according to E! News. The deal also requires Sia to maintain a $5 million life insurance policy naming Somersault as beneficiary and to cover 100% of private school tuition, health insurance, and extracurriculars — a structure that illustrates how California courts treat high-income earners under Cal. Fam. Code § 4055.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happened | Sia agreed to pay ex-husband Daniel Bernad $42,500/month in child support plus add-ons |
| When | Judgment finalized April 7, 2026; payments began April 1, 2026 |
| Where | Los Angeles County Superior Court, California |
| Who's affected | Sia (payor), Daniel Bernad (payee), son Somersault Wonder Bernard (age 23 months) |
| Key statute | Cal. Fam. Code § 4055 (statewide guideline formula) |
| Extras | $5M life insurance policy, 100% private school, health insurance, extracurriculars |
| Holidays | Mother's Day, Easter, and Christmas retained by Sia; others split |
Why This Matters Legally
California's child support guideline applies equally to billionaires and minimum-wage earners. Cal. Fam. Code § 4055 uses a mandatory algebraic formula — CS = K(HN − (H%)(TN)) — that plugs in each parent's net disposable income, the higher earner's share, and the percentage of time the child spends with the higher earner. When one parent earns in the tens of millions per year, the formula produces guideline numbers that look shocking in isolation but are legally routine.
Sia's public statement calling California's guideline "incredibly high" reflects a common frustration among high earners, but the number is not negotiable downward without an agreement. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4057, guideline support is presumed correct, and courts may only deviate in narrow circumstances — for example, when the payor is an "extraordinarily high earner" and the guideline amount exceeds the child's reasonable needs. That deviation requires a specific, written finding by the court.
How California Law Handles High-Income Child Support
California does not cap child support at a fixed dollar figure. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4053, the first principle of the state's support policy is that "a parent's first and principal obligation is to support his or her minor children according to the parent's circumstances and station in life." That phrase — "station in life" — is why a toddler of a Grammy-winning artist can receive $42,500/month while the same child of a teacher might receive $1,200/month under identical custody arrangements.
The guideline number is only the floor. Courts routinely order add-ons under Cal. Fam. Code § 4062, which divides two categories of expenses between parents in proportion to income: mandatory add-ons (child care, uninsured health costs) and discretionary add-ons (private school, extracurriculars, travel). In Sia's case, her agreement goes beyond the statutory default by assigning 100% of private school, health insurance, and activities to her, effectively eliminating any future dispute about reimbursement percentages.
The $5 million life insurance requirement is another California-specific tool. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4012, courts may require either parent to maintain life insurance naming the child as beneficiary to secure future support obligations. Because Somersault is 23 months old and Sia owes roughly 16.5 more years of support ($42,500 × 12 × 16.5 = $8.4 million in base payments alone), a $5M policy is actually conservative — many high-asset judgments require policies matching the full projected support obligation.
Practical Takeaways for California Parents
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Run the guideline calculator before negotiating. California's official DissoMaster software produces the presumptively correct number under Cal. Fam. Code § 4055. Walking into mediation without knowing this number is walking in blind.
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Expect add-ons on top of base support. Private school, extracurriculars, uninsured medical, and child care are separate line items under Cal. Fam. Code § 4062. A $10,000/month base order can easily become $15,000/month with add-ons.
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Secure support with life insurance. California courts can order life insurance under Cal. Fam. Code § 4012. If you're the lower-earning parent, request it. If you're the payor, expect to pay for it.
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Child support is modifiable. Unlike spousal support terms that may be non-modifiable, child support under Cal. Fam. Code § 3651 can always be modified on a material change in circumstances — income drops, custody shifts, or the child's needs change.
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Holiday schedules are negotiable and enforceable. The Sia-Bernad agreement gives Sia Mother's Day, Easter, and Christmas; everything else splits. Courts will enforce holiday terms exactly as written, so specificity at settlement matters.
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"Buying peace" has legal consequences. Agreeing to pay above-guideline amounts creates an enforceable floor. Once signed, the payor cannot later argue the amount was excessive — they can only seek modification based on future changes under Cal. Fam. Code § 3651.
FAQs
How is California child support calculated for high-income earners?
California uses the statewide guideline formula under Cal. Fam. Code § 4055, which applies regardless of income level. Courts may deviate under Cal. Fam. Code § 4057 only when the payor is an "extraordinarily high earner" and the guideline exceeds the child's reasonable needs, with specific written findings.
Can California child support be ordered above the guideline amount?
Yes. Parents can agree to above-guideline support, and courts will enforce it. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4065, parties may stipulate to any amount above or below guideline as long as both parties understand their rights and the child's needs are met. Sia's $42,500/month deal is contractually binding.
Does California require life insurance for child support?
California courts may order a parent to maintain life insurance naming the child as beneficiary under Cal. Fam. Code § 4012. In high-asset cases, policies ranging from $1 million to $10 million are common. Sia's $5 million policy secures roughly 60% of Somersault's projected $8.4 million in base support through age 18.
Can child support be modified later in California?
Yes. Child support in California is always modifiable under Cal. Fam. Code § 3651 upon a material change in circumstances — income changes of 10% or more, custody shifts, or changes in the child's needs. However, modification requires a new court order; parents cannot informally reduce payments.
What happens if a high-income parent stops paying California child support?
Non-payment triggers immediate enforcement under Cal. Fam. Code § 4722, including wage garnishment, asset liens, and 10% annual interest on arrears under California Code of Civil Procedure § 685.010. The Department of Child Support Services can also suspend professional and driver's licenses until payments resume.
Talk to a California Family Law Attorney
If you're navigating a high-asset California divorce or child support matter, speaking with a local family law attorney is the first step. Find an exclusive California divorce attorney in your county through divorce.law.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.