What is this?
Child support calculator estimates support payments based on state guidelines. Most states use either the Income Shares Model (40 states — both parents' income matters) or Percentage of Income Model (Texas, Alaska, Wisconsin — payer income only). This is a simplified estimate. Actual orders include health insurance, daycare, extraordinary expenses, and state-specific adjustments.How to use
Select your state (formulas vary widely). Enter payer and custodian gross monthly income (before taxes). Enter number of children. Input payer overnight visits per year (more time with child = lower support in most states). Calculator shows estimated monthly support obligation.Tips
- **This is an estimate**: Actual child support set by court. Factors not in calculator: health insurance, daycare, extracurriculars, travel, special needs.
- **Income Shares Model (most states)**: Combined parental income determines the base obligation from state guidelines tables. Each parent pays proportional to their share of total income. Texas/Wisconsin/Alaska use percentage of payer income only.
- **Income Shares states (40 states)**: Both parents' income matters. Support based on combined income, allocated by earning %. Assumes both parents contribute.
- **Texas/Alaska/Wisconsin**: Percentage of payer income only. Custodian income ignored. Simpler formula but criticized for ignoring custodian ability to contribute.
- **Custody matters**: 50/50 custody ≠ $0 support. Higher earner still pays, but reduced amount. 20-35% custody = 10-20% reduction. 35-50% custody = 20-40% reduction.
- **Gross vs net income**: Some states use gross (before taxes), some net (after taxes/deductions). This calculator uses gross, estimates net as 75% of gross for Texas.
- **Modification**: Can petition to modify if income changes 15%+ or custody changes significantly. Not automatic, must file motion.
- **Non-payment consequences**: Wage garnishment, tax refund intercept, license suspension, passport denial, contempt of court (jail).
- **High earners**: Many states cap child support at certain income level (~$15K-25K/mo). Above cap, support discretionary.
- **Multiple families**: If payer has children with multiple partners, support divided proportionally (but still owes full amount).
- **Age of emancipation**: Support ends at 18-21 (varies by state). College may extend obligation in some states.
- **Enforcement**: State child support enforcement agency collects payments, tracks arrears, enforces orders. Don't pay custodian directly - pay through state agency for paper trail.
