Child Support by State — 2026 Calculator Guide
Child support in the United States is calculated using one of three models: Income Shares (used by 41 states — considers both parents' combined income), Percentage of Income (used by 6 states including Alaska, Mississippi, and Wisconsin — based on the non-custodial parent's income only), and the Melson Formula (used by Delaware, Hawaii, and Montana — a modified income shares model with self-support allowances). The average child support payment in the US is approximately $5,760 per year ($480/month).
Three Models for Calculating Child Support
Every state in the U.S. requires courts to follow child support guidelines, but the underlying formula differs depending on which of three models the state has adopted. The Income Sharesmodel, used by 41 states, estimates how much both parents would have spent on the child if the household were intact, then divides that amount based on each parent's proportional income. The Percentage of Incomemodel, used by 6 states (including Alaska, Illinois, Texas, and Wisconsin), applies a flat or graduated percentage to the non-custodial parent's income only. The Melson Formula, used by Delaware, Hawaii, and Montana, builds on the Income Shares approach but first subtracts a self-support reserve for each parent to ensure they can meet their own basic living expenses before support is calculated.
How Custody Time Affects Child Support
In most Income Shares states, the amount of parenting time the non-custodial parent has directly reduces their child support obligation. Many states use an overnight threshold — typically 90 to 110 overnights per year (roughly 25–30% of the time) — to trigger a shared-custody adjustment. Once that threshold is crossed, the formula accounts for the fact that the non-custodial parent is already covering some of the child's day-to-day expenses during their parenting time. Percentage of Income states generally do not build in a time-share adjustment, though some allow judges to deviate from guidelines when custody is close to equal.
Calculators Provide Estimates — Courts Make Final Determinations
Child support calculators — including the free tools linked for each state below — apply official guideline formulas to produce an estimated support amount. However, courts retain discretion to deviate from guidelines based on factors like extraordinary medical expenses, private school tuition, travel costs for visitation, a child's special needs, or a parent's voluntary underemployment. The calculated amount should be treated as a starting point, not a assure. For binding child support orders, you will need either a court order or an agreement approved by a judge.
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Estimate child support payments→Important: This tool provides educational estimates only — not legal advice. Made For Law is not a law firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any federal, state, county, or local government agency or court system. Calculator results are based on statutory formulas and publicly available fee schedules — not AI. Supporting content is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Results may not reflect recent legislative changes or your specific circumstances. Do not rely solely on these estimates — always verify with official sources and consult a licensed attorney before making legal or financial decisions. Full disclaimer
50-State Comparison
| State | Calculation Model | Guidelines Summary | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' gross income with deductions for pre-existing support obligations | Ala. R. Jud. Admin. Rule 32 |
| Alaska | Percentage of Income | Percentage of adjusted income of non-custodial parent: 20% for one child, 27% for two, 33% for three | Alaska R. Civ. P. 90.3 |
| Arizona | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' adjusted gross income with the Arizona Schedule of Basic Support Obligations | A.R.S. § 25-320; Arizona Child Support Guidelines |
| Arkansas | Percentage of Income | Percentage of non-custodial parent's net income: tables based on income range and number of children | Ark. Admin. Order No. 10 |
| California | Income Shares | Income Shares model with algebraic formula using both parents' net disposable income and time-share percentage | Cal. Fam. Code § 4055 |
| Colorado | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined adjusted gross income with a Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations | C.R.S. § 14-10-115 |
| Connecticut | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined net weekly income with the Connecticut Child Support Guidelines schedule | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-215a |
| Delaware | Melson Formula | Melson Formula: ensures each parent's self-support reserve, then allocates a percentage of remaining income to children, with a standard of living adjustment | Del. Fam. Ct. R. Civ. P. 52(c); Del. Code tit. 13, § 514 |
| District of Columbia | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined gross income with the DC Child Support Guideline schedule | D.C. Code § 16-916.01 |
| Florida | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined net income with the Florida Child Support Guidelines Schedule | Fla. Stat. § 61.30 |
| Georgia | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' adjusted gross income with the Georgia Basic Child Support Obligation table | O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 |
| Hawaii | Melson Formula | Melson Formula: calculates each parent's self-support needs first, then allocates remaining income proportionally to children's basic and additional needs | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 576D-7; Hawaii Child Support Guidelines |
| Idaho | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined gross income with Idaho's Guidelines for Child Support table | Idaho R. Civ. P. 6(c)(6); Idaho Child Support Guidelines |
| Illinois | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined net income with the Illinois Schedule of Basic Support Obligations | 750 ILCS 5/505 |
| Indiana | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' weekly adjusted gross income with the Indiana Support Schedule | Ind. Code § 31-16-6; Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines |
| Iowa | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' net monthly income with the Iowa Schedule of Basic Support Obligations | Iowa Ct. R. 9.4; Iowa Code § 598.21B |
| Kansas | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' domestic gross income with the Kansas Child Support Schedule | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 23-3001; Kansas Child Support Guidelines |
| Kentucky | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined adjusted gross income with the Kentucky Child Support Guidelines table | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 403.212 |
| Louisiana | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined adjusted gross income with the Louisiana Child Support Schedule | La. Rev. Stat. § 9:315 |
| Maine | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' gross income with the Maine Child Support Table | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, § 2006 |
| Maryland | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' adjusted actual income with the Maryland Child Support Guidelines Schedule | Md. Code, Fam. Law § 12-204 |
| Massachusetts | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' gross income with the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines worksheet | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 208, § 28; Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines |
| Michigan | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' net income with the Michigan Child Support Formula Manual | Mich. Comp. Laws § 552.605; Michigan Child Support Formula |
| Minnesota | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined parental income for determining child support (PICS) with the Minnesota Guidelines | Minn. Stat. § 518A.35 |
| Mississippi | Percentage of Income | Percentage of non-custodial parent's adjusted gross income: 14% for one child, 20% for two, 22% for three, 24% for four, 26% for five or more | Miss. Code Ann. § 43-19-101 |
| Missouri | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' adjusted gross income with the Missouri Form 14 Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.340; Missouri Form 14 |
| Montana | Melson Formula | Melson Formula: calculates self-support allowances for each parent, basic child support per the guidelines, then allocates additional income as a standard of living adjustment | Mont. Code Ann. § 40-5-209; Montana Child Support Guidelines |
| Nebraska | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' monthly gross income with the Nebraska Child Support Guidelines Schedule | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-364.16; Nebraska Child Support Guidelines |
| Nevada | Percentage of Income | Percentage of obligor's gross monthly income: 18% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, plus 2% per additional child | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 125B.070 |
| New Hampshire | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' adjusted gross income with the New Hampshire Child Support Guidelines Schedule | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 458-C:3 |
| New Jersey | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined net income with the Appendix IX-F Child Support Guidelines Schedule | N.J. Ct. R. 5:6A; N.J. Stat. § 2A:17-56.52 |
| New Mexico | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' gross monthly income with the New Mexico Basic Child Support Schedule | N.M. Stat. § 40-4-11.1 |
| New York | Income Shares | Income Shares formula: combined parental income percentage (17% one child, 25% two, 29% three, 31% four, 35% five+) prorated by income share | N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240(1-b) |
| North Carolina | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' adjusted gross income with the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines Schedule | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.4(c1) |
| North Dakota | Percentage of Income | Percentage of obligor's net income based on number of children with the North Dakota Child Support Guidelines schedule | N.D. Admin. Code § 75-02-04.1 |
| Ohio | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined gross income with the Ohio Basic Child Support Schedule | Ohio Rev. Code § 3119.021 |
| Oklahoma | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' adjusted gross income with the Oklahoma Child Support Guidelines Schedule | Okla. Stat. tit. 43, § 119 |
| Oregon | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' adjusted gross income with the Oregon Child Support Guidelines calculation | Or. Rev. Stat. § 25.275; OAR 137-050-0700 |
| Pennsylvania | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' monthly net income with the Pennsylvania Support Guidelines Schedule | Pa. R.C.P. 1910.16-3 |
| Rhode Island | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined adjusted gross income with the Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines Schedule | R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16.2; Rhode Island Family Court Administrative Order 2024-04 |
| South Carolina | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined gross monthly income with the South Carolina Schedule of Basic Support Obligations | S.C. Code Ann. § 63-17-470; South Carolina Child Support Guidelines |
| South Dakota | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' net monthly income with the South Dakota Child Support Obligation Schedule | S.D. Codified Laws § 25-7-6.2; ARSD 25:10:04 |
| Tennessee | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' adjusted gross income with the Tennessee Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations | Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101; Tennessee Child Support Guidelines |
| Texas | Income Shares | Percentage of obligor's net monthly resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, 40% for five, not less than 40% for six+ | Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125 |
| Utah | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined adjusted gross income with the Utah Child Support Table | Utah Code § 78B-12-301 |
| Vermont | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' available income with the Vermont Child Support Guidelines | Vt. Stat. tit. 15, § 654; Vermont Rule for Family Proceedings 4(g) |
| Virginia | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined gross income with the Virginia Schedule of Monthly Basic Child Support Obligations | Va. Code § 20-108.2 |
| Washington | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined net monthly income with the Washington State Child Support Schedule (Economic Table) | Wash. Rev. Code § 26.19.020 |
| West Virginia | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' combined adjusted gross income with the West Virginia Child Support Schedule | W. Va. Code § 48-13-702 |
| Wisconsin | Percentage of Income | Percentage of obligor's gross income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, 34% for five+ | Wis. Stat. § 767.511; Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150 |
| Wyoming | Income Shares | Income Shares model using both parents' net income with the Wyoming Presumptive Child Support table | Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-304 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated?▾
It depends on which model your state uses. Income Shares states (41 states) look up both parents' combined income on a schedule to find the total child support obligation, then split it proportionally. Percentage of Income states base it on the non-custodial parent's income only — for example, Alaska uses 20% for one child, 27% for two, and 33% for three children. Melson Formula states (Delaware, Hawaii, Montana) use a modified income shares approach that first deducts a self-support allowance for each parent.
What's the average child support payment?▾
The national average child support payment is approximately $480 per month ($5,760 per year). However, actual payments vary enormously depending on the parents' incomes, number of children, custody arrangement, and the state's calculation model. High-income cases in states like California or New York can exceed $2,000–$3,000 per month, while lower-income cases may be under $200.
Until what age is child support paid?▾
In most states, child support ends at age 18 or when the child graduates high school, whichever comes later. However, several states extend support beyond 18 — New York requires support until age 21, Mississippi until 21, and Indiana until 19. Some states also allow extensions for children with disabilities or those enrolled in college.
Can child support be modified?▾
Yes. Either parent can request a modification when there is a material change in circumstances. Common qualifying changes include job loss, a significant increase or decrease in income, a change in custody arrangement, changes in the child's medical or educational needs, or the addition of new dependents. Most states require the change to result in at least a 10–15% difference in the support amount.
What happens if you don't pay child support?▾
Failure to pay child support can result in serious consequences including wage garnishment (the most common enforcement method), interception of tax reimbursements, suspension of driver's licenses and professional licenses, denial of passport applications, reporting to credit bureaus, contempt of court proceedings, and in extreme cases, jail time. The federal government can also pursue cases across state lines under the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act.
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