Child Support Percentage by State 2024

In family law, child support is an ongoing, periodic payment made by a parent for the financial benefit of a child following the end of a marriage or other relationship. Payment is made by an obligor, often the non-custodial parent, to an obligee, typically the custodial parent, a caregiver, a guardian, or the state.

Child support is often arranged as a result of a divorce, material separation, annulment, determination of parentage, or a dissolution of a civil union.

Child support laws vary between jurisdictions. Typically, one has the same obligation to pay the support irrespective of sex, so a mother is required to pay the father just as a father must pay the mother. In some jurisdictions where there is joint custody, the child is considered to have two custodial parents and no non-custodial parent. This might result in the parent with a higher income being required to pay the other custodial parent.

The 1992 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a being connection that was signed by every UN member state and formally ratified by all members except for the U.S. This convention declares that the upbringing and development of children and providing them a standard of living that is adequate for their development is a human the responsibility of both parents.

Child Support in the United States

In the United States, the Office of Child Support Enforcement is responsible for the federal child support enforcement program. Federal regulations, in accordance with Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, require the uniform application of child support guidelines throughout a state, but each state may determine its own method of calculating support. Code of Federal Regulations Title 45 302.56 requires each state to establish and publish a guideline and review the guideline every four years. Most states have adopted their own “Child Support Guidelines Worksheet” that determines the standard calculation of child support in that state.

How Child Support is Calculated

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, child support guidelines in each state follow one of three models: the income share model, the percentage of income model, and the Melson Formula.

The income shares model combines both parents’ income, determines the basic child support, \ adds expenses, and then an obligation is prorated between the parents based on their percentage of the combined income. Forty states use the income share model

The percentage of income model determines the non-custodial parent’s income, determines the percentage of the non-custodial parent’s income that will be applied, applies the percentage to the income, and finalizes the obligation by making adjustments for add-ons and deductions. Seven states use the percentage income model, four of which use the flat percentage model.

The Melson Formula is a more complicated version of the Income Shares model, which incorporates public policy judgments to unsure each parent’s basic needs are met in addition to the children. Only Delaware, Hawaii, and Montana use the Melson Formula.

The District of Columbia uses a hybrid model that starts as a varying percentage of income model and is then reduced by a formula based on the custodial parent’s income.

Alabama

Income shares model
[Basic Child Support Obligation Schedule](https://www.alacourt.gov/docs/Alabama%20updated%20schedule%202008.1.pdf)

Child Support Calculator

Alaska

Percentage of obligor's income
Multiply the non-custodial parent’s (obligor’s) annual net income by 20% for one child, 27% for two children, and 33% for three children. For each additional child, add 3%.

Child Support Calculator

Arizona

Income shares model
Basic Child Support Obligation Schedule

Child Support Calculator

Arkansas

Percentage of obligor’s income - percentage varies based on income
Arkansas Administrative Order of the Supreme Court, Rule 10

Child Support Estimator

California

Income shares model
California Courts Self-Help - Child Support

Guidelines Calculator

Colorado

Income shares model
Child Support Commission Final Report

Child Support Calculator

Delaware

Melson Formula
After determining each parent’s share of total available income, the primary support allowance for the number of children in each parent’s household can be found in the Forms 509 and 509-I

Delaware Child Support Calculator

District of Columbia

Because D.C. has a hybrid model, child support can be very complex and confusing. The best way to determine the child support obligation is to use the Child Support Guideline Calculator or contact an attorney.

Florida

Income shares model

If monthly income exceeds $10,000, child support is calculated by multiplying the amount of income over $10,000 by a percentage based on the number of children. For this, one child is 5%, two is 7.5%, three is 9.5%, four is 11%, five is 12%, and six is 12.5%.
Florida Child Support Guidelines
Child Support Calculator

Income shares model
Illinois Child Support Guidelines - Income Shares
Child Support Estimator

Income shares model
Louisiana Child Support Guideline Schedule
Child Support Payment Calculator

Incomes shares model
Michigan Child Support Formula

Minnesota

Income shares model

Mississippi

Percentage of obligor’s income

The guideline formula for determining the amount of child support is 14% of noncustodial parent's income for one child, 20% for two children, 22% for three children, 24% for four children and 26% for five or more children
Mississippi Child Support Calculator

Missouri

Income shares model

Missouri Child Support Guidelines and Forms

Montana

Melson Formula
Montana Child Support Guidelines Information

Nebraska

Income shares model
Nebraska Child Support Guidelines and Worksheets
Child Support Calculator

Nevada

Percentage of obligor’s income
Child Support Guidelines
Nevada Child Support Guidelines Calculator

New Hampshire

Income shares model
New Hampshire Statute Chapter 485-C: Child Support Guidelines
NH Child Support Calculator

New Jersey

Income shares model
NJ Child Support Guidelines and Worksheets
Child Support Calculator

New Mexico

Income shares model
Child Support Statutes, Rules, and Regulations
Child Support Calculator

New York

North Carolina

Income shares model
Child Support Guidelines
Child Support Calculator of North Carolina

North Dakota

Percentage of obligor’s income
Child Support Guidelines and Calculator

Ohio

Income shares model

Pennsylvania

Income shares model

Rhode Island

Income shares model

South Carolina

Income shares model

South Dakota

Income shares model

Tennessee

Income shares model

Texas

Percentage of obligor’s income

One child= 20% of Net Monthly Income, two children = 25%, three children = 30%, four children = 35%, five children = 40%, and six children = no less than 40%
Monthly Child Support Calculator

Utah

Income shares model

Vermont

Income shares model

Virginia

Income shares model

Washington

Income shares model

West Virginia

Income shares model

Wisconsin

Percentage of obligor’s income

One child = 17%, two children = 25%, 3 children = 29%, 4 children = 31%, 5 or more children = 34%.
Child Support Calculator and Worksheets

Wyoming

Income shares model