CHILD SUPPORT

CHILD SUPPORT IN THE WEST

Alaska:

Alaska follows the Percentage of Income Model, which sets support as a percentage of only the noncustodial parent's income; the custodial parent's income is not considered. Support terminates when either the child turns 18, or when they graduate high school. Neither parent is required to pay for college.

California:

California follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. A court may order financial support for one parent for periods of time when the other parent struggles to keep their caretaking duties up.

Colorado:

Colorado follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. Support terminates at either age 18 or when the child graduates high school. Neither parent is required to pay for college.

Hawaii:

Hawaii follows the Melson Formula, where the court bases the child support payment on a defined set of factors, which include the needs of the child and standard of living adjustment for the child. This is a variation of the Income Shares Model. Support is calculated with allowances for the household members.

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Idaho:

Idaho follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. Child support in Idaho is put over the needs of parents or creditors when determining the allocation of family resources.

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Montana:

Montana child support guidelines are set out in the Montana Administration Rules. Courts here follows the Melson Formula, where the court bases the child support payment on a defined set of factors, which include the needs of the child and standard of living adjustment for the child. This is a variation of the Income Shares Model. It is based on net income.

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Nevada:

Nevada follows the Percentage of Income Model, which sets support as a percentage of only the noncustodial parent's income; the custodial parent's income is not considered. Support is figured by applying a percentage to the obligor's gross income, which gradually decreases as the income rises.

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Oregon:

Oregon follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. It is calculated based on gross income. 

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Utah:

Utah follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. The support is calculated based on gross income. Support for the child terminates at either high school graduation or when the child is 18. However, in a divorce case, the court may require support until the child is 21.

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Washington:

Washington follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans.

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Wyoming:

Wyoming follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans.

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CHILD SUPPORT IN THE MIDWEST

Illinois:

Child support in Illinois is statutory, meaning it is calculated based on many factors, including the age of the child, health of the child, income level, and more. However, support is usually based on the Flat Percentage of Income Model, which is a variation on the Percentage of Income Model. This model is based on net income.

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Indiana:

Guidelines for child support in Indiana are in the Indiana Rules of Court. Child support plans here typically follow the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. Support can include extra funds needed for the child's education.

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Iowa:

Guidelines for child support in Iowa are enacted by the supreme court of Iowa. Iowa follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. It is based on gross income.

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Kansas:

Kansas follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. The parent must pay child support until the child is 18, and until 19 if the child is still in high school.

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Michigan:

Michigan follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. Payments must be made through the Michigan Friend of the Court Bureau.

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Minnesota:

Minnesota follows the Percentage of Income Model, which sets support as a percentage of only the noncustodial parent's income; the custodial parent's income is not considered. It is based on net income.

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Missouri:

Missouri follows the Income Shares Formula, which, similar to the Income Shares Model, is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. It is calculated based on gross income. 

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Nebraska:

Nebraska child support rules were established by court rule and can be found in the Rules of the Nebraska Supreme Court. Courts here typically follow the Income Shares Formula, which, similar to the Income Shares Model, is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. It is calculated based on net income. 

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North Dakota:

North Dakota follows the Percentage of Income Model, which sets support as a percentage of only the noncustodial parent's income; the custodial parent's income is not considered. It is based on a percentage of the obligor's income.

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Ohio:

Ohio follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. It is based on the net income of the parents. The child support terminates when the child is 18 and has graduated high school

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South Dakota:

South Dakota follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans.

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Wisconsin:

Wisconsin follows the Percentage of Income Model, which sets support as a percentage of only the noncustodial parent's income; the custodial parent's income is not considered. Support is based on net income. 

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CHILD SUPPORT IN THE SOUTHWEST

Arizona:

Arizona follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. Support is calculated on gross income. The support is terminated when the child turns 18. Parents are not required to pay for college. 

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New Mexico:

New Mexico follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. Support here is calculated based on gross income.

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Oklahoma:

Oklahoma follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. Support here is based on net income. The support terminates when the child turns 18, and 20 if the child is still in high school. 

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Texas:

Texas follows the Percentage of Income Model, which sets support as a percentage of only the noncustodial parent's income; the custodial parent's income is not considered. It is based on the parent's net income. Support terminates once the child is 18 and has graduated high school. No Texas state law compels the parents to pay for college.

CHILD SUPPORT IN THE NORTHEAST

Connecticut:

Connecticut follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. It takes into account the net income of both parents. Support terminates at age 18.

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Delaware:

Delaware follows the Melson Formula, where the court bases the child support payment on a defined set of factors, which include the needs of the child and standard of living adjustment for the child. This is a variation of the Income Shares Model. If the court finds the guidelines "unjust or inappropriate" for a specific situation, they will calculate based on different statutory factors, such as employability of both parents.

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Maine:

Support in Maine is based on many factors, such as the age of the parents, the health of the parents, and income levels. However, most courts in Maine follow the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. Support is based on the gross income of the parents.

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Maryland:

Guidelines for child support are set out by statutes in Maryland courts. Plans typically follow the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. Support is based on gross income.

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Massachusetts:

Massachusetts child support laws are set out in the Massachusetts Court Rules. It is a hybrid form of the percentage of income model and the income shares model. The support is based on the gross income of the non-custodial parent mixed with the support from the custodial parent. Support terminates as age 21, in terms of educational support.

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New Hampshire: 

New Hampshire follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. It is based on net income.

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New Jersey:

New Jersey child support laws are set out in the New Jersey Court Rules. It follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. It is based on net income.

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New York:

New York follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. It is based on net income.

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Pennsylvania:

Pennsylvania follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. The support for the child may continue after the child turns 18 if the child has any physical/emotional disabilities.

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Rhode Island:

Rhode Island follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. If the parent paying child support is (voluntarily) unemployed, the support is based on what they could earn.

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Vermont:

Vermont follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans.

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CHILD SUPPORT IN THE SOUTHEAST

Alabama:

Alabama uses a child support worksheet, in which child support is based on each parent's net income and taxes paid. The Department of Human Resources in the Alabama state government enforces child support. The court can change the child support amount paid until the child is 19.

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Arkansas:

Arkansas follows the Percentage of Income Model, which sets support as a percentage of only the non custodial parent's income; the custodial parent's income is not considered. The support terminates when the child turns 18. Parents are not required to pay for college.

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Florida:

Florida follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. Health insurance, childcare, and education are added to the things included in the basic cost for raising a child. Support terminates when the child turns 18.

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Georgia:

Georgia follows the Percentage of Income Model, which sets support as a percentage of only the non custodial parent's income; the custodial parent's income is not considered. Factors that contribute to support include the age and the health of the child, the age and the health of the parents, the income of the parents, and so on.

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Kentucky:

Kentucky follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans.

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Louisiana:

Support in Louisiana is based on many factors, such as the age of the parents, the health of the parents, and income levels. However, most courts in Louisiana follow the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. Support is based on the gross income of the parents.

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Mississippi:

Mississippi follows the Percentage of Income Model, which sets support as a percentage of only the non custodial parent's income; the custodial parent's income is not considered.

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North Carolina:

North Carolina follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. It is based on gross income.

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South Carolina:

South Carolina follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans.

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Tennessee:

Tennessee follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. The parent paying child support is responsible for paying support until the child is 18.

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Virginia:

Virginia follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. This is one of the more common child support plans. The parent paying child support is responsible for paying support until the child is 19.

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West Virginia:

West Virginia follows the Income Shares Model, which is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents lived together. The support is based on gross income. The support could continue until age 20. The court may award child support for college education.