Child Support Estimator
Estimate monthly child support based on income and custody split
Parent 1
Parent 2
Child Support Estimate
Important Disclaimer
This is a simplified estimator based on income-shares model guidelines. Actual child support varies by jurisdiction, tax considerations, healthcare costs, childcare expenses, and other factors. Consult a family law attorney for your specific situation.
How Child Support is Calculated
Income-Shares Model
Most states use an income-shares model where both parents' incomes are combined to determine a basic child support obligation. Each parent contributes proportionally based on their share of the combined income.
Custody Adjustment
The custody percentage adjusts each parent's obligation. A parent with 50% custody provides half the child's expenses directly through care. The final payment reflects the net difference in adjusted obligations.
Number of Children
Support obligations increase with each child but at a declining marginal rate. The percentage of income allocated to support ranges from approximately 17% for one child to 35% for five or more children.
Additional Factors
Actual support calculations may include adjustments for health insurance premiums, childcare costs, extraordinary medical expenses, and each state's specific guidelines and deviation factors.
State Variations
Child support guidelines vary significantly by jurisdiction. Some states use an income-shares model, others use a percentage-of-income model, and a few use the Melson formula. This calculator provides a general estimate based on the income-shares approach. For an accurate calculation, consult your state's child support guidelines or a family law attorney.