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
| State | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Income Shares | — |
| Alaska | Income Shares | — |
| Arizona | Income Shares | — |
| Arkansas | Income Shares | — |
| California | Income Shares | California uses net disposable income. |
| Colorado | Income Shares | — |
| Connecticut | Income Shares | — |
| Delaware | Melson Formula | Melson Formula — self-support reserve applies. |
| District of Columbia | Percentage of Income | DC uses a hybrid model. |
| Florida | Income Shares | — |
| Georgia | Income Shares | — |
| Hawaii | Melson Formula | Melson Formula — self-support reserve applies. |
| Idaho | Income Shares | — |
| Illinois | Percentage of Income | — |
| Indiana | Income Shares | — |
| Iowa | Income Shares | — |
| Kansas | Income Shares | — |
| Kentucky | Income Shares | — |
| Louisiana | Income Shares | — |
| Maine | Income Shares | — |
| Maryland | Income Shares | — |
| Massachusetts | Income Shares | — |
| Michigan | Income Shares | — |
| Minnesota | Income Shares | — |
| Mississippi | Percentage of Income | — |
| Missouri | Income Shares | — |
| Montana | Melson Formula | Melson Formula — self-support reserve applies. |
| Nebraska | Income Shares | — |
| Nevada | Percentage of Income | — |
| New Hampshire | Income Shares | — |
| New Jersey | Income Shares | — |
| New Mexico | Income Shares | — |
| New York | Income Shares | New York uses combined parental income up to $163,000. |
| North Carolina | Income Shares | — |
| North Dakota | Percentage of Income | Net income basis. |
| Ohio | Income Shares | — |
| Oklahoma | Income Shares | — |
| Oregon | Income Shares | — |
| Pennsylvania | Income Shares | — |
| Rhode Island | Income Shares | — |
| South Carolina | Income Shares | — |
| South Dakota | Income Shares | — |
| Tennessee | Income Shares | — |
| Texas | Percentage of Income | Texas caps at 40% of net resources. |
| 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 | — |
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), percentage of income (used by 6 states), 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, 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.