Child Support Calculations in South Carolina

South Carolina uses the Income Shares model to calculate child support, governed by SC Code Ann. Title 63, Chapter 17. Whether you're navigating an uncontested or contested divorce, understanding South Carolina's guidelines is essential for your financial planning.

The Income Shares Model

South Carolina's Income Shares approach calculates support based on both parents' combined gross income, then divides the obligation proportionally. The model is designed to approximate what the child would have received if the parents lived together.

• Combined income cap: $40,000/month ($480,000/year)—above this, the court uses discretion based on the child's needs
• Schedule lookup: Use the combined gross income and number of children to find the basic support obligation in the official guidelines schedule
• Proportional split: Each parent's share equals their percentage of combined income

Calculating Gross Income

Under SC Code § 63-17-470, gross income includes virtually all sources of income before taxes and deductions:

• Employment income: Wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, overtime, severance pay
• Self-employment: Gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses
• Investment income: Interest, dividends, rental income, capital gains
• Benefits: Workers' compensation, disability, unemployment, Social Security, veterans' benefits
• Other sources: Pensions, annuities, trusts, lottery/gambling winnings, alimony received

Excluded from gross income: Public assistance (TANF, SSI, SNAP, Medicaid), child support received for other children, and in-kind benefits that don't reduce living expenses.

Imputing Income for Voluntary Unemployment

When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, South Carolina courts may impute income. The court examines:

• Employment history: Recent job history, qualifications, and earning capacity
• Education and skills: Degrees, certifications, and marketable abilities
• Local job market: Available opportunities and prevailing wages
• Default imputation: If insufficient evidence exists, courts typically impute income at 40 hours/week at minimum wage ($7.25 federal or higher state rate)

Exceptions: Courts generally do not impute income when a parent is incapacitated, incarcerated, caring for a child under two years old, or enrolled in legitimate education/training that will increase earning capacity.

Shared Custody: The 109-Overnight Threshold

South Carolina applies the shared custody formula when the noncustodial parent exercises visitation for at least 109 overnights per year (approximately 30% of the year):

• Below 109 overnights: Standard guidelines apply—the noncustodial parent pays their income share to the custodial parent
• 109+ overnights: The shared custody multiplier (typically 1.5×) applies to the basic obligation before calculating each parent's share
• Time share adjustment: Each parent's obligation is reduced by the percentage of time the child spends with that parent
• Net obligation: The difference between the parents' adjusted obligations determines who pays whom

Split custody: When each parent has primary custody of at least one child, courts calculate separate support obligations for each child and offset them to determine the net payment.

Adjustments to Basic Support

Several factors adjust the basic child support obligation:

• Child care costs: Work-related daycare expenses are added to the basic obligation and divided proportionally
• Health insurance premiums: The cost of adding the child to a parent's health plan is allocated by income share
• Extraordinary medical expenses: Unreimbursed medical, dental, and vision costs beyond $250/year per child are shared proportionally
• Educational expenses: Private school tuition or special educational needs may be added if agreed upon or court-ordered
• Prior support obligations: Court-ordered child support for children from prior relationships is subtracted from gross income

Self-Support Reserve

South Carolina protects obligors' ability to maintain a minimum standard of living. The self-support reserve is set at $1,010.50/month (based on federal poverty guidelines):

• Protection threshold: If the obligor's net income after paying child support would fall below $1,010.50, the support obligation may be reduced
• Minimum order: Even with the self-support reserve, courts typically order at least $100/month unless the obligor has zero income
• Discretionary adjustments: The court balances the child's needs against the obligor's ability to pay

Estimate Your South Carolina Child Support

Use our calculator below for an estimate. For official calculations, use the South Carolina DSS Child Support Services resources.

Deviations from Guidelines

Courts may deviate from the calculated guidelines amount when applying them would be unjust or inappropriate. Under SC Code § 63-17-470, factors justifying deviation include:

• Educational expenses: Private school, tutoring, or special educational programs
• Equitable distribution: Property division that affects income-producing assets
• Consumer debts: Unusual debt loads from the marriage
• Alimony: When one parent pays or receives spousal support
• Income disparity: Significant differences in parents' earnings
• Child's needs: Special medical, psychological, or developmental requirements
• Standard of living: The lifestyle the child enjoyed during the marriage
• Tax consequences: Which parent claims the dependency exemption

When deviating, the court must make written findings explaining why the guidelines amount would be inappropriate and how the deviation amount was determined.

Duration of Support

Under South Carolina law, child support obligations continue until:

• Age 18: Standard termination age
• High school completion: If the child is still in high school at 18, support continues through graduation or age 19, whichever comes first
• Emancipation: Marriage, military service, or court declaration of independence
• Death: Of either the child or obligor parent

Note: Unlike some states, South Carolina does not automatically extend support for college expenses. Post-secondary education support requires a specific agreement or court order based on factors like the child's aptitude and the parents' ability to pay.

Modification Standards

Either parent may request a modification of child support when circumstances have substantially changed since the original order:

• Substantial change: Significant increase or decrease in either parent's income, change in custody arrangement, or change in the child's needs
• Administrative review: The SC DSS reviews cases every three years upon request to determine if guidelines produce a different amount
• No retroactive modification: Changes generally take effect from the date of filing, not retroactively
• Job loss: Involuntary unemployment may justify temporary reduction, but courts examine efforts to find new employment

Enforcement and Arrears Interest

South Carolina aggressively enforces child support orders through the Department of Social Services Child Support Services Division:

• Income withholding: Automatic wage garnishment for most orders—employers must comply within 7 days
• Interest on arrears: Unpaid child support accrues 11.5% annual interest, compounded annually—this adds up quickly
• License suspension: Driver's licenses and professional licenses may be suspended for non-payment
• Tax refund intercept: State and federal tax refunds can be seized to pay arrears
• Credit reporting: Arrears are reported to credit bureaus, affecting the obligor's credit score
• Passport denial: Federal law denies passport issuance or renewal when arrears exceed $2,500
• Contempt of court: Non-payment can result in fines, jail time, or both
• Liens: Property liens and bank account levies for chronic non-payment

Arrears calculation example: If a parent owes $10,000 in back support, 11.5% annual interest adds $1,150 in the first year alone. Over multiple years, compound interest can significantly increase the total owed.

Common Calculation Mistakes

• Using net instead of gross: South Carolina uses gross income, not take-home pay
• Ignoring the 109-overnight threshold: Many parents don't realize shared custody adjustments require at least 109 overnights
• Forgetting child care credits: Day care expenses should be added to the basic obligation
• Missing health insurance costs: These must be allocated proportionally
• Overlooking prior support: Existing child support for other children reduces gross income
• Underestimating arrears interest: At 11.5% compounded annually, unpaid support grows rapidly

Key Takeaways

• Income Shares model: Both parents' incomes determine the child's support needs
• $40,000 combined income cap: Court discretion above this threshold
• 109-overnight threshold: Shared custody formula applies at 30%+ parenting time
• Self-support reserve: $1,010.50/month protects obligor's basic needs
• Minimum order: Typically $100/month even with limited income
• 11.5% arrears interest: Compounded annually—pay on time to avoid mounting debt
• Support to 18: Or through high school graduation (up to 19)
• Modifications available: When circumstances substantially change

For more information about South Carolina divorce processes, see our South Carolina divorce timeline and filing checklist. For property division information, review our South Carolina marital property guide.