Free Child Support Calculator — State-Specific Estimates for All 50 States

Calculate estimated child support payments based on your state's guidelines — no credit card needed

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State-Specific Guidelines

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Simple Child Support Calculator

Get a quick estimate of potential child support in under 60 seconds based on simplified state guidelines, without personal information or a credit card.

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Select your state to begin exploring potential support payments.

**Important Disclaimer:**

This calculator is for educational purposes only and provides only rough estimates that might vary significantly from official state calculations. Official calculations include many additional factors not included here. This tool does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon for any important decisions. For accurate calculations, please consult a family law attorney or your state's official child support agency.

For a more comprehensive (though still potentially estimated) calculation, consider registering for our full application or seeking professional legal advice.

How the Child Support Calculator Works

Our calculator mirrors the methodology used by state courts to produce a guideline child support estimate. Enter your information and receive results in under 60 seconds.

Select Your State

Each state uses a different model — income shares, percentage of income, or Melson formula. Your state determines which rules apply.

Enter Income & Custody

Provide both parents' incomes, number of children, and your parenting time percentage. The calculator auto-adjusts for shared custody.

Get Your Estimate

See the estimated monthly support amount, who pays whom, and the likelihood of enforcement based on your state's guidelines.

Understanding Child Support Calculation Models

Every state uses one of four primary models to calculate child support. The model your state uses determines which incomes are considered, how parenting time is factored in, and how the basic support obligation is calculated.

Income Shares Model (41 States)

The income shares model is used by the vast majority of states. It calculates child support based on both parents' combined income, then allocates each parent's share proportionally. The concept is that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income as they would have if the parents were still together.

How It Works

Both parents' incomes are combined, a basic support obligation is looked up from a state-specific schedule, and each parent's share is based on their percentage of combined income. The noncustodial parent's share is the support payment, adjusted for parenting time and add-ons like health insurance and child care.

States Using Income Shares

Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Percentage of Income Model (TX, AK, NV, ND, WI)

The percentage model focuses solely on the noncustodial parent's income. A flat percentage is applied based on the number of children, making it simpler but less responsive to the custodial parent's income.

Texas Example

Texas applies 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five or more children to the noncustodial parent's net resources, capped at $9,200 per month. Wisconsin uses 17%, 25%, 29%, 31%, and 34% of gross income. Nevada uses 18%, 25%, 29%, 31%, plus 2% for each additional child.

Melson Formula (DE, HI, MT)

The Melson formula is the most protective of the paying parent's basic needs. Before calculating support, it ensures each parent retains enough income to meet a self-support reserve — a minimum amount needed to maintain a subsistence standard of living. Only after basic needs are met does the formula allocate a share toward child support. This prevents the paying parent from falling into poverty due to a support order.

Hybrid and Algebraic Models

California uses a unique algebraic K-factor formula where the parenting timeshare percentage directly scales the support obligation. District of Columbia uses a hybrid model that blends income shares with percentage elements. Mississippi adopted income shares guidelines but still references flat percentages. These hybrid approaches create more tailored results but can be harder to calculate without specialized tools.

Which Model Does Your State Use?

Select your state in the calculator above to see which model applies and get an instant estimate. Our calculator automatically uses the correct methodology for all 50 states.

Check my state's model

Key Factors That Affect Child Support

Beyond the basic income calculation, several factors can push your child support obligation higher or lower than the guideline amount.

Income Types and Definitions

States define income differently. Some use gross income (before taxes), others use net income (after taxes and mandatory deductions), and some use adjusted gross income (after specific deductions like union dues or mandatory retirement). Texas uniquely uses “net resources” — gross income minus taxes, Social Security, health insurance for the child, and union dues. New York considers combined parental income up to $183,000 for guideline calculations. Understanding which income definition your state uses is essential for an accurate estimate.

Number of Children

Support increases with each additional child, but not proportionally. In Texas, one child costs 20% of net resources while five children cost 40% — the marginal cost per child decreases. In income shares states, the schedules reflect a similar diminishing marginal cost. If you have children from multiple relationships, many states apply a multiple-family adjustment that reduces the per-family obligation.

Parenting Time and Overnights

Most income shares states reduce support when the noncustodial parent has significant parenting time. The threshold varies: Florida triggers adjustments at 73 overnights (20%), Colorado at 93 overnights, Virginia at 91 days, and Minnesota at 45.1% of time. Some states use a continuous sliding scale while others have a hard threshold. A few percentage-of-income states like Texas do not automatically adjust for parenting time.

The 50/50 Custody Impact

Even with equal parenting time, child support is usually not zero. The higher-earning parent typically pays the difference in their pro-rata shares. However, the amount is often significantly reduced compared to a traditional 80/20 custody split. Use our parenting schedule calculator to visualize how different arrangements affect overnights.

Health Insurance and Childcare Costs

Nearly every state adds the cost of the child's health insurance premiums and work-related child care to the basic support obligation. These add-ons are typically divided proportionally between parents based on their share of combined income. Health insurance costs are the attributable premium — the difference between individual and family coverage. Child care must be work-related and reasonable.

Income Caps and High Earners

Several states cap the income used for guideline calculations. Texas caps at $9,200 per month in net resources. New York applies flat percentages to combined income up to $183,000 and uses judicial discretion above that. Ohio's schedule extends to $336,467 in combined annual gross income. Above these caps, judges have discretion to set support based on the child's needs, lifestyle, and other factors — which is where documentation and preparation become critical.

How Parenting Time Affects Child Support

The amount of time each parent spends with the children is one of the most impactful variables in a child support calculation. Understanding how overnights translate into support dollars can help you plan more effectively.

Why Overnights Matter

When a parent has the child overnight, they directly incur costs for food, housing, utilities, and activities. Most states recognize this by reducing support when the noncustodial parent has more overnights. The logic is straightforward: the more you spend directly on the child, the less you need to transfer to the other parent. Courts count overnights rather than daytime hours because overnight stays better reflect actual cost-sharing.

Common Scenarios and Support Impact

In an 80/20 custody split (every other weekend plus a midweek dinner), the noncustodial parent has roughly 73 overnights. Moving to a 70/30 arrangement (every other weekend plus one weeknight overnight) increases to roughly 110 overnights and can reduce support by 15-25% in most income shares states. A true 50/50 split (182 overnights each) often reduces support by 40-60%, though it never eliminates it if there is an income difference.

Using the Parenting Schedule Calculator

To accurately determine how many overnights each custody arrangement produces, use our parenting schedule calculator. It visualizes 50/50, 70/30, 80/20, and custom schedules with exact overnight counts. Pair those overnight counts with this child support calculator to see the financial impact of each arrangement.

Child Support Modification and Duration

Child support orders are not permanent. They can be modified when circumstances change and they typically end when the child reaches adulthood.

When Child Support Ends

Most states terminate child support at age 18, though many extend it through high school graduation (typically to age 19). Some states allow support through college — New York can order support until age 21, and a few states permit agreements that extend through a bachelor's degree. Emancipation events like marriage, military service, or full-time employment can end support earlier. Check your state's specific termination rules.

How to Modify Support

To modify an existing order, most states require a “substantial change in circumstances” — typically a significant income change, job loss, disability, change in custody, or the child's needs changing. Many states set specific thresholds: Missouri requires a 20% or $50 change, Indiana requires a 20% change, and Texas requires either 3 years since the last order or a 20% / $100 change. Some states like Arkansas and New Hampshire allow review every 3 years regardless of changed circumstances.

Enforcement and Arrears

If a parent fails to pay child support, enforcement tools include wage garnishment (the most common), intercepting tax refunds, suspending driver's and professional licenses, denying passports for arrears over $2,500, and in severe cases, contempt of court with potential jail time. Arrears accrue interest in most states and survive bankruptcy. Back support cannot be forgiven retroactively — even if circumstances change, the parent owes everything that accumulated before the modification date.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is this child support calculator?

This calculator provides estimates based on simplified versions of each state's child support guidelines. Official calculations may include additional factors such as health insurance, child care, and special needs. Use this as a planning tool and consult your state's official worksheet or a family law attorney for exact figures.

What income is included in child support calculations?

Most states consider all sources of income including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, investment returns, and sometimes imputed income if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. Each state defines income differently — some use gross, others net.

Does 50/50 custody mean no child support?

Not necessarily. Even with equal parenting time, the higher-earning parent often pays some child support to equalize the child's standard of living in both homes. The amount depends on the income difference and your state's shared-custody formula. The support is usually significantly less than in a traditional custody arrangement, but it rarely drops to zero.

Can child support exceed the state guidelines?

Yes. Judges can deviate above or below the guideline amount based on factors like extraordinary medical needs, private school tuition, special talents or activities, and the child's pre-divorce standard of living. High-income cases often involve judicial discretion above the guideline caps, where documentation of the child's needs becomes especially important.

What if a parent hides income to lower child support?

Courts can impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed, underemployed, or hiding earnings. Judges may examine tax returns, bank records, lifestyle evidence, and work history to determine actual earning capacity. Penalties for hiding income can include contempt of court, back-dated support adjustments, and sanctions.

How often can child support be modified?

Most states allow modification when there is a substantial change in circumstances such as job loss, significant income change, or a change in custody arrangements. Many states also allow review after a set period (typically 3 years) or when the calculated amount differs from the current order by 10-20%. There is no limit on how many times you can request a modification, but each request must be supported by evidence of changed circumstances.

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