On April 6, 2026, singer Sia (Sia Furler) finalized a Los Angeles County child support settlement requiring her to pay estranged husband Daniel Bernad $42,500 per month for their 22-month-old son Somersault, plus a $5 million life insurance policy, private school tuition, and $350,000 in attorney fees, according to E! News. For California residents, this deal illustrates how Cal. Fam. Code § 4057 permits courts to deviate above the statewide guideline when a parent is an extraordinarily high earner.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happened | Sia agreed to pay Daniel Bernad $42,500/month in child support |
| When finalized | April 6, 2026 |
| Where | Los Angeles County Superior Court, California |
| Who is affected | Sia, Daniel Bernad, and son Somersault (born March 2024) |
| Key statutes | Cal. Fam. Code § 4055, § 4057, § 4062 |
| Duration | Until Somersault turns 18 or graduates high school (whichever is later) |
| Additional terms | $5M life insurance, private school tuition, extracurriculars, health insurance, $350K attorney fees |
Why this matters legally
The Sia-Bernad settlement confirms that California courts will approve substantially above-guideline child support when high-earner parents stipulate to it. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4055, California uses a complex algebraic formula (the statewide uniform guideline) that considers both parents' net disposable income and timeshare percentage. However, Cal. Fam. Code § 4057(b)(3) expressly permits a departure from the guideline when a parent has an extraordinarily high income and the guideline amount would exceed the child's reasonable needs.
Sia's estimated net worth reportedly exceeds $45 million, which places her firmly in California's "extraordinarily high earner" category. When parents stipulate to support above guideline — as Sia and Bernad did here — the court's role shifts from calculation to review. The judge must confirm the agreement meets the child's needs, is not the product of duress, and complies with Cal. Fam. Code § 4065, which sets five statutory conditions for stipulated support.
The $42,500 monthly figure annualizes to $510,000 per year for a single child. Over the 16.25 years until Somersault reaches 18, the base support alone totals roughly $8.29 million — before add-ons.
How California law handles high-earner support
California's guideline formula, codified at Cal. Fam. Code § 4055, produces what courts call the "presumptively correct" amount. The formula is: CS = K[HN − (H%)(TN)], where K is an income allocation factor, HN is the higher earner's net monthly disposable income, H% is the approximate time the higher earner has primary physical responsibility, and TN is the combined net monthly disposable income of both parents.
For most families, this formula governs. For high earners, three key mechanisms shape the final number:
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Mandatory add-ons under Cal. Fam. Code § 4062(a) — child care costs related to employment and uninsured health care costs must be added to base support.
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Discretionary add-ons under Cal. Fam. Code § 4062(b) — courts may order additional support for educational expenses, special needs, and travel costs for visitation. Private school tuition falls here.
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Life insurance security under Cal. Fam. Code § 4012 — courts may require a supporting parent to maintain life insurance to secure child support obligations. The $5 million policy in Sia's case is proportional to her total projected obligation.
The $350,000 attorney fee award is governed by Cal. Fam. Code § 2030, which mandates need-based fee awards when there is income disparity. Even though Bernad is the recipient parent here, California courts routinely order high-earner parents to fund the other side's legal representation to ensure equal access to counsel.
California-specific practical takeaways
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Stipulated support above guideline is enforceable — but only if it satisfies Cal. Fam. Code § 4065. The parties must declare they know their guideline rights, are not receiving public assistance, and believe the stipulated amount is in the child's best interest.
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Life insurance orders are routine in high-net-worth cases. If you are the higher earner, expect a court order requiring coverage proportional to remaining support obligations. If you are the recipient, request that the policy be irrevocable and name a trustee.
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Private school tuition is not automatic. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 4062(b), courts consider whether private schooling is consistent with the child's pre-separation lifestyle. Sia and Bernad stipulated to it; contested cases require evidence.
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Support generally ends at age 18 or high school graduation, whichever is later, but not past age 19, per Cal. Fam. Code § 3901. California does not mandate college support — parents must agree to it contractually.
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Attorney fees in high-disparity cases are mandatory, not discretionary. Under Cal. Fam. Code § 2030, the court must ensure both parties have access to representation.
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Deviations require documentation. Any stipulation departing from guideline must include findings on the record under Cal. Fam. Code § 4056, including the reasons for deviation and the guideline amount that would otherwise apply.
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Support modifications are available on a showing of changed circumstances under Cal. Fam. Code § 3651. A substantial income drop, job loss, or change in custody timeshare can all justify a review.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Sia's settlement is high-profile, but the underlying legal mechanisms apply to any California parent whose income substantially exceeds the statewide median.
- How is child support calculated in California for high earners?
- Can a California court order life insurance to secure child support?
- Does California require parents to pay for private school?
- When does child support end in California?
- Can the other parent get attorney fees paid in a California divorce?
Bottom line
The Sia-Bernad deal is not an outlier — it is California's high-earner support framework working as designed. The statewide guideline formula produces a presumptively correct number, but Cal. Fam. Code § 4057 and § 4065 give courts and parties flexibility to stipulate to figures that match a child's actual lifestyle. For parents contemplating divorce in California with significant assets or income, the takeaway is preparation: document your child's expenses, understand the mandatory add-ons, and expect life insurance and attorney fee orders if there is income disparity.
If you are facing a California divorce involving child support, custody, or high-net-worth property division, connect with an exclusive family law 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.