Child Support Guidelines by State 2026
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a family law attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
Calculate your take-home pay after child support deductions with the Paycheck Calculator→How Child Support Is Calculated
Every state uses a formula to calculate child support, but the formulas differ significantly. There are three main models:
| Model | How It Works | States Using It |
|---|---|---|
| Income Shares | Both parents' incomes combined; support split proportionally | 41 states + DC |
| Percentage of Income | Fixed percentage of non-custodial parent's income | 6 states (TX, WI, MS, ND, AK, NV) |
| Melson Formula | Modified income shares with a self-support reserve | 3 states (DE, HI, MT) |
The Income Shares model is most common. It determines the total child-rearing cost based on combined parental income, then splits that cost in proportion to each parent's contribution.
Average Child Support by State
Monthly payments vary widely based on income, number of children, and custody arrangement:
| State | Average Monthly Payment | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $1,187 | Income Shares |
| New York | $1,098 | Income Shares |
| New Jersey | $1,050 | Income Shares |
| California | $980 | Income Shares |
| Connecticut | $910 | Income Shares |
| Illinois | $870 | Income Shares |
| Pennsylvania | $830 | Income Shares |
| Washington | $780 | Income Shares |
| Florida | $720 | Income Shares |
| Texas | $650 | Percentage of Income |
| Ohio | $600 | Income Shares |
| Georgia | $550 | Income Shares |
| Mississippi | $400 | Percentage of Income |
The national average is approximately $600-$800/month, but this varies enormously based on income levels.
Income Shares Model (41 States)
How It Works
- Combine both parents' net incomes (after taxes and mandatory deductions)
- Look up the total child support obligation on the state's schedule (based on combined income and number of children)
- Split proportionally — if Parent A earns 60% of combined income, they pay 60% of the obligation
- Adjust for parenting time — many states reduce the obligation based on overnight custody splits
- Add extras — health insurance, child care, and extraordinary expenses are typically split proportionally on top
Example (Virginia, 2 children):
- Parent A income: $5,000/month (60%)
- Parent B income: $3,333/month (40%)
- Combined: $8,333/month
- Guideline obligation: $1,600/month
- Parent A's share: $1,600 × 60% = $960/month
Factors That Increase/Decrease the Amount
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| More children | Increases (but not linearly — second child adds less than first) |
| Higher combined income | Increases, but caps in some states |
| More custody time with non-custodial parent | Decreases |
| Health insurance costs | Added to obligation, split proportionally |
| Child care costs | Added to obligation |
| Special needs/extraordinary expenses | Added on top of guideline amount |
| Other children to support | May decrease (state-dependent) |
Percentage of Income Model (Texas Example)
Texas uses a straightforward formula:
| Number of Children | % of Net Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20% |
| 2 | 25% |
| 3 | 30% |
| 4 | 35% |
| 5+ | 40% (max) |
Example: Non-custodial parent earning $4,000/month net with 2 children pays 25% = $1,000/month.
This model is simpler but doesn't account for the custodial parent's income.
What Income Counts
| Included | Excluded |
|---|---|
| Wages and salary | Public assistance (TANF, SNAP) |
| Self-employment income | SSI benefits |
| Bonuses and commissions | Child support received for other children (some states) |
| Overtime (regular) | Foster care payments |
| Social Security benefits (SSDI) | Adoption assistance |
| Unemployment benefits | |
| Rental income | |
| Investment income | |
| VA disability benefits (some states) |
Courts can also "impute" income — assigning an earning capacity if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed to reduce support.
Modifying Child Support
You can request a modification when there's a substantial change in circumstances:
- Job loss or significant income decrease (involuntary)
- Significant income increase
- Change in custody arrangement
- Child's special needs
- Child aging out (reaches 18 or finishes high school)
- Incarceration (in some states)
Most states allow modification petitions every 2-3 years or upon a change of 15-20% in the calculated amount.
Enforcement
Child support enforcement is one of the strongest collections systems in the US:
| Enforcement Tool | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Wage garnishment | Automatic deduction from paycheck (most common) |
| Tax refund intercept | IRS applies refund to past-due support |
| License suspension | Driver's, professional, hunting licenses |
| Passport denial | Arrearage over $2,500 blocks passport issuance |
| Credit reporting | Delinquency reported to credit bureaus |
| Contempt of court | Fines or jail time for willful non-payment |
| Bank levy | Seizing funds from bank accounts |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does child support end at 18?
It depends on the state. Many states extend support through age 19 (if still in high school), and some allow extension through college (New York through 21, New Jersey through 23 for college students).
Can parents agree on a different amount?
Yes — parents can negotiate a different amount through a settlement agreement, but a judge must approve it to ensure the child's needs are met. Courts generally won't approve amounts significantly below the guideline.
Estimate your potential child support with our Child Support Calculator, learn how the calculation works in detail, and see alimony guidelines by state.
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