Going through divorce isn’t easy. Especially when you have kids. This guide covers the most important child support issues you need to know.
Child Support Guideline Models
You will find that the American states use one of three models that help establish the amount of child support owed.
They are:
With this model, it is expected that the child should receive the same amount of parental income that would have been given if the parents were still together. When parents are happily together, both will contribute towards their child’s care. That principle is used here. Both parents must do their part for their child.
Percentage of Income Model
In this case, the child support amount is determined by the income of the non-custodial parent. The income of the custodial parent is not taken into consideration. There are two variants of this model – the Varying Percentage Model and the Flat Percentage Model.
Melson Formula
Of all the formulas, this one is the most complicated. It is similar to the Income Shares Model. A number of policy judgments are incorporated to make sure that the children, as well as the parent’s needs, are met. It was created by a judge of the Delaware Family Court.
You can find an explanation of the formula in Dalton v. Clanton, 559 A.2d 1197 (Del. 1989).
Guideline Models by State
How to Calculate Child Support
Select your state and use its calculator to estimate the approximate amount of child support. All our calculators are based on the most recent states’ guidelines.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Remember that each from the 50 states has its own child support guidelines, which judges use to determine the exact amount of support paid by non-custodial or both parents. Each case is unique, so please, once again, remember that our child support calculators will help you to get an understanding of the amounts you may have to pay, but the Court will determine the exact payment.
When a couple is making their way through a divorce process, one of the biggest challenges is child support. Determining how much each parent will have to contribute towards the child’s care will give them a better idea of how their finances will look after the divorce has been settled. You will find that there is use for the child support calculator even after your divorce has been finalized. You could make calculations in case financial circumstances have changed.
Getting started with the calculator is fairly easy – you start by entering the relevant information where it should go. Once the form has been completed, you click on “Calculate”, and you will be given an estimated amount. This amount is what you could expect to pay in child support. The calculators are all created according to the latest child support guidelines. The guidelines are specific to each state. Just remember that the amounts are truly only rough estimates. They are not determinative and only give an idea of what should be expected to be paid.
Child Support Basics
The non-custodial parent is expected, by law, to pay a monthly allowance to help the custodial parent take care of the child/children. This is the child support that is ordered by the court and can be ordered after a paternal determination or divorce.
Usually, the court of law establishes the payments, which are based on the other parent’s income level. Should a parent fail to make payments, they could face serious fines and even time in jail.
Child Support in Joint Custody Situations
Making sure that children are taken care of no matter where they live is what child support is all about. It is strongly believed that a child should benefit from both parents’ income even if they do not live with both. In most cases, the non-custodial parent will be paying the child support to the custodial parent. But there are exceptions, such as joint custody cases. Joint custody has different definitions in the different American states.
Unmarried Parents and Child Support
In the U.S, if a married couple has a child together, it is legally assumed that the husband is the father. When a child is born to unmarried couples, there can be no legal paternal assumption. An unwed father has no legal right of visitation if paternity has not been proven. Similarly, decisions about the child’s welfare and shared custody cannot be made as easily. The court will ask an alleged father to submit himself to testing, should he not want to do so voluntarily. When the paternity has been determined, the court will order child support payments in the same way as with divorce cases.
Obtaining Child Support
Several important steps need to be taken if you have not yet applied for child support. It is possible – and not unlikely – for the parents to reach an agreement for child support outside the court. In such a case, mediation can take place.
If that is not an option, you can get a child support order from your nearest court. Whatever the case, both parents must be tracked down. Legal paternity must be established, and then the appropriate amount of child support will be determined.
Although child support by a non-custodial parent is established at the state level, there are some universal guidelines. Some of the states give a judge some leeway in determining and deciding upon the amount. This is allowed as long as the general guidelines are followed.
Other states are very strict and do not allow for judges to make decisions that are up to their discretion. Usually, the most important factors are the child’s needs. This includes education, health insurance, daycare, and special needs. The custodial parent’s income is also taken into consideration.
It should be noted that the paying parent’s ability to make child support payments is also an important factor.