Ohio Child Support Calculation Guide

Ohio uses an income-shares model for child support, codified in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3119. The framework allocates child-rearing costs between both parents based on their combined income. Whether you're navigating an uncontested or contested divorce, understanding these calculations is essential.

The Income-Shares Model

Ohio's approach estimates what intact-household parents at the same combined income typically spend on their children, then allocates that cost between both parents:

• Step 1: Determine each parent's annual gross income
• Step 2: Apply allowable deductions (spousal support, credit for other children)
• Step 3: Add both adjusted incomes to get combined annual income
• Step 4: Look up the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) on the schedule
• Step 5: Allocate by income shares and apply parenting-time adjustments

Calculating Gross Income

Ohio's definition of gross income is comprehensive:

• Included: Wages, salaries, overtime, bonuses, commissions, tips, rents, dividends, pensions, SSDI, unemployment, workers' compensation, military pay
• Excluded: Means-tested benefits (SNAP, SSI, Ohio Works First), adoption/foster care payments
• Overtime/bonuses: Lesser of 3-year average or last year's total
• Self-employment: Gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary expenses

SSDI derivative payments received by the child on a parent's account are credited against that parent's obligation after calculation.

The $336,000 Schedule Cap

The Basic Child Support Schedule (form JFS 07767) covers combined annual income from $8,400 to $336,000 in $600 increments. The schedule accounts for up to six children.

• Above $336,000: Courts determine support case-by-case, but cannot order less than the top-of-schedule amount unless unjust
• Below $8,400: The statutory minimum ($80/month) applies

Self-Sufficiency Reserve (SSR)

Ohio protects low-income obligors with a Self-Sufficiency Reserve set at 116% of the federal poverty level (approximately $16,912 annually for 2023). The SSR is mathematically embedded in the schedule via sliding-scale multipliers, ensuring orders don't push obligors below subsistence levels.

Minimum Order: $80 Per Month

Ohio imposes a minimum child support order of $80 per month for all children under the order. Courts may order less or $0 only in limited circumstances:

• Verified disability or medical inability to work
• Institutionalization for 12+ months without other income/assets
• Incarceration (income should not be imputed)

Estimate Your Ohio Child Support

Use our calculator for a preliminary estimate. For official calculations, use the Ohio Child Support Calculator.

90-Overnight Threshold (10% Reduction)

When court-ordered parenting time equals or exceeds 90 overnights per year, Ohio automatically reduces the obligor's annual support obligation by 10%. This reduction is in addition to any other deviations the court may grant.

147-Overnight Deviation Consideration

Ohio has additional parenting-time rules for extended custody arrangements:

• Over 90 overnights: Court must consider whether to grant a deviation under R.C. 3119.22
• 147+ overnights: If the court declines to deviate, it must state the facts supporting the denial on the record
• Equal time: No automatic formula—the court uses statutory factors and makes findings

Split Parenting

When at least one child primarily lives with each parent, Ohio uses the split-parenting worksheet (JFS 07769):

• Calculate what each parent would owe as if the other were the residential parent
• Offset the two annual obligations
• The net obligor pays the difference

Add-On Expenses

Beyond basic support, certain expenses are allocated by income shares:

• Child care: Work or training-related costs, allocated by income share (capped at ODJFS maximum; SSR obligors pay lesser of their share or 50%)
• Health insurance: Marginal cost of adding children to coverage (reasonable cost: not exceeding 5% of providing parent's annual income)
• Cash medical support: Approximately $388.70 per child per year for ordinary medical costs
• Extraordinary medical: Expenses above the annual cash medical amount, allocated by income share

Modification Rules

Ohio allows modification when:

• 10% difference: If recalculated amount differs by more than 10% from the current order, that constitutes a substantial change in circumstances
• 36-month administrative review: CSEAs conduct periodic reviews; parties can request earlier review for good cause (involuntary income loss, unemployment)
• Inadequate health insurance: Changes in medical coverage can support modification

Retroactive modification of arrears already due is generally not permitted.

Duration of Support

Ohio child support continues until:

• Age 18: Standard termination age
• Age 19: If the child continuously attends an accredited high school full-time after turning 18
• Disabled adult children: Courts may establish or extend support for a child with a disability regardless of age under R.C. 3109.20

Enforcement and Arrears

Ohio uses multiple enforcement tools:

• Income withholding: Immediate and mandatory; employers remit within 7 business days
• Lump-sum reporting: Payments of $150+ must be reported and held for 30 days
• License suspension: Driver's, professional, and recreational licenses
• Passport denial: At $2,500+ arrears (federal threshold)
• Bank account levies: Financial institution deductions
• Property liens: Real and personal property until discharged
• Tax intercepts: Federal and state refunds
• Contempt: Fines and jail time for willful non-payment

Interest on arrears reduced to judgment is 8% simple annually (2025 rate under R.C. 1343.03), unless the court finds it would be inequitable.

Key Takeaways

• Income-shares model: Both parents' incomes determine the child's needs
• $336,000 cap: Schedule covers $8,400 to $336,000 combined annual income
• 90-overnight threshold: Automatic 10% reduction
• 147-overnight threshold: Court must explain if deviation denied
• SSR protection: 116% FPL (~$16,912) protects low-income obligors
• $80 minimum: Per month for all children under the order
• 10% modification threshold: Recalculation difference triggers substantial change
• 36-month review: Administrative review cycle
• 8% interest: On arrears reduced to judgment

For more information about Ohio divorce processes, see our Ohio divorce timeline and filing checklist.