Estimate monthly child support payments using the Income Shares model — the most widely used method in the U.S.
This tool provides a general estimate only and does not constitute legal advice. Actual child support orders are set by a family court judge and vary significantly based on state guidelines, custody arrangement, healthcare costs, childcare expenses, and other factors. This calculator uses a simplified income shares model. Results may differ substantially from your state's official guidelines. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state.
Enter both parents' income and custody details to estimate monthly support.
Enter both parents' income and click Calculate to see an estimate.
⚠️ Estimate only — not legal advice. Results are for informational purposes only. Consult a licensed attorney before making any decisions.
Used by most U.S. states, income shares aims to ensure children receive the same financial support they would have if both parents lived together.
Both parents' gross monthly incomes are added together to determine the combined available income.
The total child support obligation is determined by applying a percentage based on the number of children to the combined income.
Each parent's share of the obligation is proportional to their share of the combined income. The higher-earning parent typically pays the difference.
"Gross monthly income" sounds simple, but it's the single biggest source of disputes in a child support case. Here's the general shape of it — your state's official worksheet has the final word.
Wages and salary, bonuses and commissions, self-employment net income, overtime pay if it's regular, rental income, and — in many states — unemployment or workers' compensation benefits.
Investment and dividend income, irregular bonuses, a new spouse's income (usually excluded, but can affect the analysis indirectly), and benefits like Social Security or public assistance.
Self-employment income after legitimate business deductions, tips and gig-economy earnings, and any income a parent is deliberately hiding or under-reporting — courts have tools to address this.
Say Parent A earns $5,000/month and Parent B earns $3,000/month gross, with 2 children, in an income-shares state. Combined income is $8,000. Using the 25% obligation rate this calculator applies for 2 children, the total support obligation is $2,000/month. Parent A earns 62.5% of that combined income and is responsible for 62.5% of the obligation ($1,250); Parent B is responsible for the remaining 37.5% ($750). Because the calculator nets those two shares against each other, the estimated payment from Parent A to Parent B is the difference — $500/month. A real court worksheet would then layer in health insurance premiums, childcare costs, and each parent's overnight count before finalizing a number.
This is a simplified estimate. Real child support orders use your state's official guidelines worksheet, which accounts for healthcare costs, childcare, custody time (parenting plan), prior support obligations, and other factors. Treat this as a ballpark figure only.
Gross income is your total income before taxes and deductions — wages, salary, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, and in some states, investment income. Ask your attorney what your state includes in the definition.
Most states use income shares. Texas and Wisconsin use a percentage-of-income model, where support is calculated as a percentage of the paying parent's income only. The calculator notes which model your selected state uses.
Yes, in most states. A material change in circumstances — such as a significant income change, change in custody, or major new expense — can be grounds to request a modification through the court.
Courts can "impute" income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or working below their earning capacity — meaning support is calculated as if that parent were earning what they reasonably could, based on work history, education, and the local job market. This generally does not apply to parents who are involuntarily unemployed, disabled, or the primary caregiver for a young child. This calculator can't apply imputed income for you — that determination is made by the court.
In most states, yes. Health insurance premiums and work-related childcare costs are typically added on top of the base support obligation and split between parents in proportion to their income, rather than folded into the base amount. This calculator estimates the base obligation only.
This calculator's income-shares logic is a general approximation, not a reproduction of any state's official worksheet. For the federal framework behind state child support programs, see the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Child Support Services. For your state's actual guidelines worksheet and dollar figures, search "[your state] child support guidelines worksheet" or contact your state's child support agency directly.
This calculator gives you a starting point. A family law attorney can walk you through your state's official worksheet and protect your rights.
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