$985.57
$7,000.00
57.1%
$1,750.00
$999.86
$299.96
$285.67
$985.57
$7,000.00
57.1%
$1,750.00
$999.86
$299.96
$285.67
Child support is a legal obligation that ensures both parents contribute financially to their children's upbringing after separation or divorce. The Child Support Calculator uses the widely adopted Income Shares Model, which is the basis for child support guidelines in the majority of U.S. states. Rather than placing the full burden on one parent, the income shares model recognizes that children are entitled to the same proportion of parental income they would have received had the family remained together.
At its core, the income shares model combines both parents' gross incomes to estimate the total amount the family would ordinarily spend on the child or children. That combined obligation is then prorated between the parents based on each party's proportional share of the combined income. The non-custodial parent (NCP) — the parent with less overnight parenting time — typically pays their proportional share to the custodial parent (CP) as a monthly transfer.
Beyond the basic support obligation, courts add supplemental expenses such as health insurance premiums and childcare costs. These are also apportioned according to income share percentages, making the final order a comprehensive reflection of the child's actual needs rather than an arbitrary flat amount.
How income shares percentages are derived: Most states publish a schedule that correlates combined monthly income to a recommended basic support obligation. The percentages used in this calculator approximate the widely referenced guidelines: roughly 17% of combined income for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and 35% for five or more children. Your state may have slight variations, so always verify against your jurisdiction's official schedule.
Parenting time credit: Many states now offer a parenting time adjustment to account for the real expenses the non-custodial parent incurs during their parenting time. When the NCP has more than a minimal share of overnights, a credit reduces the base obligation, acknowledging that both parents are directly spending on the children. This calculator applies a commonly used adjustment formula when the NCP's parenting time percentage is entered above zero.
Health insurance and childcare: Work-related childcare costs and the cost of providing health insurance for the children are added to the basic obligation before being prorated. If the custodial parent pays both, the non-custodial parent reimburses their income-proportionate share. If the non-custodial parent pays one of these costs directly, courts typically credit that payment against their obligation.
This tool provides an estimate for informational and planning purposes. Actual court-ordered child support may differ based on extraordinary medical expenses, educational costs, pre-existing support orders, income imputation, and judicial discretion. Consulting a family law attorney is always recommended before filing or responding to a child support petition.
Enter both parents' gross monthly incomes (before taxes), the number of children subject to the order, and the non-custodial parent's parenting time percentage. Add the monthly cost of the children's health insurance premium and any work-related childcare expenses. The calculator determines the combined basic obligation, apportions it by income share, applies a parenting time adjustment if applicable, and then adds the prorated supplemental expenses to arrive at a total monthly child support figure.
The Total Monthly Child Support Order represents the estimated amount the non-custodial parent would pay each month. A higher NCP income share percentage naturally results in a larger obligation. The parenting time credit lowers the obligation when the NCP exercises significant overnight parenting time. If the total seems unexpectedly high or low, check that all income fields reflect gross (pre-tax) monthly amounts and that parenting time is entered as a percentage of the year's overnights (e.g., every other weekend ≈ 14%).
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With a combined income of $8,000 and two children, the basic obligation is $2,000. The NCP earns 62.5% of combined income, yielding a $1,250 base. A 20% parenting time adjustment reduces this, and the prorated health and childcare shares are added back.
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Equal incomes mean the NCP pays exactly 50% of the basic obligation. The significant 35% parenting time credit substantially reduces the base, while the NCP still contributes half of the supplemental costs.
The Income Shares Model is a child support calculation framework used by most U.S. states. It combines both parents' incomes, estimates what would be spent on children in an intact household, and splits that obligation proportionally between parents based on their respective income shares.
This calculator approximates the income shares model used by most states. However, each state publishes its own support schedule, and figures can vary. States like Texas use a flat percentage of the NCP's income (percentage of income model) rather than income shares. Always check your state's official guidelines or consult an attorney.
Courts typically include wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, dividends, and sometimes imputed income if a parent is voluntarily underemployed. Use gross (pre-tax) monthly income for this calculator.
Many states reduce the NCP's obligation when they have substantial parenting time (often above 20–30% of overnights), recognizing that the NCP directly incurs costs during their time with the children. The exact threshold and formula vary by jurisdiction.
In most jurisdictions, yes. Work-related childcare costs and the cost of maintaining health insurance for the children are considered add-ons to the basic obligation and are prorated between parents by income share.
Yes. Either parent can petition for a modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances — such as a significant income change, a change in the child's needs, or a change in parenting time arrangements. Courts typically require at least a 15–20% change in the calculated amount before granting a modification.
Unpaid child support (arrears) accrues interest in most states. Enforcement tools include wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension (driver's, professional), passport denial, and contempt of court proceedings.
No. Under U.S. federal tax law, child support payments are neither deductible by the paying parent nor taxable income to the receiving parent. This differs from alimony rules for agreements prior to 2019.
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