How Do U Calculate Child Support

Expert Guide to Child Support Calculations

What is Child Support and Why it Matters

Child support is a monthly payment made by one parent to the other to help cover the costs of raising their child…

How to Use This Child Support Calculator

1. Enter the gross monthly income of the non-custodial parent.
2. Select the number of children.
3. Choose the custody arrangement.
4. Click ‘Calculate’.

Formula and Methodology Behind the Calculator

The calculator uses the Income Shares Model, which is based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income as they would if the parents were still living together…

Real-World Examples of Child Support Calculations

Let’s look at three different scenarios…

Data and Statistics on Child Support

Average Child Support Payments by State (2020)

State	Average Payment

Percentage of Custodial Mothers Receiving Child Support (2019)

Custody Arrangement	Percentage Receiving Support

Expert Tips for Navigating Child Support

• Understand the difference between gross and net income.
• Know the impact of custody arrangements on support payments.
• Be aware of additional expenses that may be factored into support.

Frequently Asked Questions about Child Support

How is child support calculated?

The calculator uses the Income Shares Model…

What if the non-custodial parent is unemployed?

Even if the non-custodial parent is unemployed, they may still be required to pay child support…

For more information, see the Census Bureau’s report on child support and the Children’s Bureau guide to child support.