Child Support Calculator (Income Shares Model)
Estimate monthly support obligations based on combined parental income.
Estimated Calculation Results
Understanding Child Support Calculations
This calculator uses the Income Shares Model, which is the most common method used by courts in the United States. The philosophy behind this model is that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that they would have received if the parents lived together.
How the Math Works
The calculation involves four primary steps:
- Combined Income: The net monthly incomes of both parents are added together.
- Basic Obligation: A standard percentage or table value is applied to the combined income based on the number of children. (e.g., approximately 18% for one child, 25% for two).
- Total Expenses: Mandatory costs like health insurance and childcare are added to the basic obligation.
- Proportional Share: Each parent is responsible for a percentage of the total obligation equal to their percentage of the combined income.
Practical Example
If Parent A earns $4,000 and Parent B earns $2,000, their combined income is $6,000. Parent A is responsible for 66.7% of the total calculated child support cost, while Parent B is responsible for 33.3%.
Note: This is an estimate for educational purposes. Actual court orders consider factors like custody percentages (overnights), extraordinary medical expenses, and specific state-mandated minimums or maximums.
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