Estimate monthly child support under your state's official guidelines — percentage, income shares, and Melson models, with 2025-2026 caps and current statutes.
Every state sets child support with one of three models. Income shares (about 40 states) combines both parents' incomes, looks up a basic obligation, and splits it in proportion to income. Percentage of income (Texas, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Nevada, Alaska, North Dakota) applies fixed percentages to the paying parent's income. Melson (Delaware, Hawaii, Montana) is a more complex variant that reserves a self-support amount first.
For states marked "State guideline formula", this tool implements the statutory formula directly — including the 2025 Texas cap increase to $11,700/month and the 2026 New York cap of $193,000 — and our results are tested against fixture cases derived from each statute. For table-based states, we show a clearly-labeled simplified range and always link the official state calculator.
Real orders also account for health insurance premiums, childcare costs, other children supported, and deviations. Treat this as a starting point for conversations with a lawyer or mediator, not a final number.
Texas, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Nevada, Alaska, and North Dakota base support primarily on the paying parent's income. Texas, for example, applies 20% of net resources for one child, 25% for two, up to a $11,700/month cap (effective September 2025).
Usually not. In most states, if incomes differ, the higher earner still pays an offset amount even with equal parenting time. A few states' formulas can reach $0 when incomes are nearly equal.
It depends on the state. Texas, California, and Illinois use net (after-tax) income; New York, Wisconsin, and most income-shares states start from gross income. The form tells you which one your state uses.
Yes. Guidelines are presumptive, not absolute. Courts deviate for high income above statutory caps, special medical or educational needs, and other statutory factors.
This is an educational estimate, not legal advice and not a prediction of any court order. Judges may deviate from guidelines. Verify results with the official state calculator above and consult a family law attorney for your situation.