State Reference
Child support guidelines by state
All 50 states plus DC, organized by calculation model with rate notes.
How to use this page: review the guidance below, enter the requested information, and compare the estimate with your state's official rules before making legal or financial decisions.
Model: Income Shares
Applied to net income.
| State | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Income Shares | — |
| Alaska | Percentage of Income | Alaska Civil Rule 90.3: percentage of the obligor's adjusted annual (net) income; shared-custody formula at 30%+ overnights. |
| Arizona | Income Shares | — |
| Arkansas | Income Shares | — |
| California | Income Shares | California uses net disposable income. |
| Colorado | Income Shares | — |
| Connecticut | Income Shares | Net income basis. |
| Delaware | Melson Formula | Delaware Melson Formula (worksheet effective February 1, 2026): $1,600 self-support allowance per parent before support is shared. |
| District of Columbia | Income Shares | DC uses an income shares guideline (D.C. Code § 16-916.01). |
| Florida | Income Shares | Net income basis. |
| Georgia | Income Shares | — |
| Hawaii | Melson Formula | Melson Formula — self-support reserve applies. |
| Idaho | Income Shares | — |
| Illinois | Income Shares | Illinois moved to income shares on July 1, 2017 and uses combined net income (750 ILCS 5/505). |
| Indiana | Income Shares | — |
| Iowa | Income Shares | Net income basis. |
| Kansas | Income Shares | — |
| Kentucky | Income Shares | — |
| Louisiana | Income Shares | — |
| Maine | Income Shares | — |
| Maryland | Income Shares | — |
| Massachusetts | Income Shares | — |
| Michigan | Income Shares | Net income basis. |
| Minnesota | Income Shares | — |
| Mississippi | Percentage of Income | Net income basis. |
| Missouri | Income Shares | — |
| Montana | Melson Formula | Melson Formula — self-support reserve applies. |
| Nebraska | Income Shares | Net income basis. |
| Nevada | Percentage of Income | Nevada (NAC 425.140) uses tiered percentages of gross income: the rates shown apply to the first $6,000/month, with lower rates above $6,000 and $10,000. |
| New Hampshire | Income Shares | Net income basis. |
| New Jersey | Income Shares | Net income basis. |
| New Mexico | Income Shares | — |
| New York | Income Shares | New York uses combined parental income up to $193,000 (effective March 1, 2026). |
| North Carolina | Income Shares | — |
| North Dakota | Percentage of Income | North Dakota (N.D. Admin. Code 75-02-04.1-10) uses an official schedule based on the obligor's monthly net income. |
| Ohio | Income Shares | — |
| Oklahoma | Income Shares | — |
| Oregon | Income Shares | — |
| Pennsylvania | Income Shares | Net income basis. |
| Rhode Island | Income Shares | — |
| South Carolina | Income Shares | — |
| South Dakota | Income Shares | Net income basis. |
| Tennessee | Income Shares | — |
| Texas | Percentage of Income | Texas applies guideline percentages to net resources up to $11,700 per month. |
| Utah | Income Shares | — |
| Vermont | Income Shares | — |
| Virginia | Income Shares | — |
| Washington | Income Shares | 2026: Economic Table covers $2,200–$50,000 combined. |
| West Virginia | Income Shares | — |
| Wisconsin | Percentage of Income | — |
| Wyoming | Income Shares | Net income basis. |
Child Support Calculators for All 50 States
Select your state for 2026 child support guidelines, calculation model, and an instant monthly estimate.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently asked questions
What are the three main child support models?+
Income shares (used by 41 states plus DC), percentage of income (used by 6 states: Alaska, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin), and the Melson formula (used by Delaware, Hawaii, and Montana). Each state then layers its own rules on top.
Which states use gross income vs. net income?+
Most income-shares states use gross monthly income. Texas, Illinois, Alaska, and a few others apply their formulas to net income or net resources after specific deductions.
Why do estimates vary so much between states?+
Each state sets its own basic obligation schedule, parenting-time credit thresholds, treatment of add-ons (health insurance, childcare), and self-support reserve.
Are these guidelines the final amount a court will order?+
Guideline amounts are presumed correct, but judges can deviate for high-income cases, special needs, extraordinary travel, or other documented circumstances.
How often are state child support guidelines updated?+
Federal law requires each state to review its guidelines at least every four years. Specific tables and thresholds may be adjusted between full reviews.