Often in divorce, one parent assumes custody of a child while the other assumes a “noncustodial” role. Of course, this could be avoided with joint physical custody – but such an arrangement is not always possible.
Since the law requires both parents to contribute financially to the well-being of a child, the concept of “child support'' was created. Child support consists of payments made from one parent to the other for the purpose of raising and nurturing the child. The goal is to “even out” each parent’s financial contribution so it’s fair.
But as you may know, child support does not necessarily have a “fair” reputation. For the payor, it can be a dreaded and seemingly arbitrary amount of money taken from their paycheck each month. For the payee, it can seem like a well-meaning amount that’s really not enough to cover the child’s needs.
How is child support calculated?
Each state uses its own child support formula and guidelines. Alas, some uncertainty will remain until a judge determines your child support amount. That said, you can get an idea of the probable amount using a child support formula based on your state’s guidelines.
Before we look at specific state child support calculators, let’s take a step back and examine how child support determinations are broadly made in the U.S.
Is there an “official” child support calculator I can use?
Each state calculates child support in one of three ways: the income share model (most common), the income percentage model (second-most common), or the Melson formula.
- The income shares model looks at the incomes and expenses of both parents and prorates each parent’s contribution based on a percentage.
- The income percentage model looks at the non-custodial parent’s income and expenses and calculates child support based on a percentage of that amount. In several states, that percentage is a flat rate.
- The Melson formula looks at the expenses and incomes of both parents and also takes each parent’s basic needs into account when determining child support.
Finding an online child support calculator for your state
You can find an online calculator for most of the 50 states (including the District of Columbia) that will calculate the amount of child support you might pay or receive. While not exact, this tool can give you an idea of what to expect.
Examples of child support calculators
Click on any of the following links to see examples of child support calculators (or in Colorado’s case, worksheets) for various states.
California Child Support Calculator
Colorado Child Support Worksheets
Florida Child Support Calculator
Indiana Child Support Calculator
New York Child Support Calculator
Texas Monthly Child Support Calculator
Washington Child Support Calculator
Are online child support calculators accurate?
None of the information you glean from an online child support calculator should be construed as legal advice. These are estimates, not concrete figures regarding your personal child support amount. Even if the website is put forth by a government agency, the possibility of human or computer error exists.
Further, some calculation tools are more user-friendly than others. In fact, some websites specifically state that they are for “entertainment purposes only.” (We know you’re not going here for fun.)
To enter your information correctly, it helps to have an understanding of your state’s family laws and tax laws as well as federal tax laws.
It also helps to have a backup plan: speaking with a professional who understands divorce and child support laws in your state.
If you’d like help dealing with child support issues or other divorce-related issues, Hello Divorce is here for you. Contact us to schedule your free 15-minute call.
