Child Support Guides
Straightforward explainers for parents, payers, and anyone trying to understand the numbers.
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash.
What Is Child Support?
A plain-English primer on what child support is, who pays it, what it covers, and how it differs from other family-law obligations.
The mathHow Is Child Support Calculated?
The three U.S. guideline models explained — Income Shares, Percentage of Income, and the Melson Formula — and the inputs that move the number.
Model deep-diveWhat Is the Income Shares Model?
The most common U.S. child-support model, explained: combined income, the basic-obligation schedule, proportional splitting, and add-ons.
Model deep-diveWhat Is the Percentage of Income Model?
The simplest U.S. model: a flat or graduated percentage of the paying parent’s income. How the six states apply it.
Model deep-diveWhat Is the Melson Formula?
The most sophisticated U.S. model, used by Delaware, Hawaii, and Montana: a self-support reserve, primary support, and a standard-of-living adjustment.
How-toHow to Modify an Existing Child Support Order
When and how support can be changed: the “substantial change in circumstances” standard, the petition process, and what to prepare.
How-toChild Support When You’re Self-Employed
How self-employment income is calculated for support, why courts may “impute” income, and documents you’ll need.
FAQIs Child Support Taxable?
The federal tax treatment of child support, dependency exemptions, and how it differs from alimony.
FAQWhat Happens If Child Support Isn’t Paid?
The enforcement tools states and the federal government use: wage garnishment, tax-refund interception, license suspension, and contempt.
Step-by-stepHow to Estimate Your Own Child Support
A practical walkthrough: gather your numbers, pick the right state, enter inputs, and read the result responsibly.