Mississippi Child Support
Estimate for Mississippi
Mississippi uses the Percentage of Income model.
View calculation breakdown
| Statutory rate (2 children) | 20% |
|---|---|
| adjusted gross monthly income | $5,000 |
| Estimated monthly support | $1,000 |
Estimated monthly support by number of children
§ How Mississippi calculates support
Mississippi uses a percentage-of-income model under Miss. Code § 43-19-101 applied to the paying parent's adjusted gross income (AGI). Statutory rates: 14% (1 child), 20% (2), 22% (3), 24% (4), 26% (5+). AGI is gross income minus federal/state/local taxes, Social Security, and mandatory retirement, minus existing court-ordered support for other children (a court may also subtract for other children in the home). This creates a rebuttable presumption; deviations require a written finding under § 43-19-103.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case in Mississippi
- Apply with the MDHS Division of Child Support Enforcement, or file a petition in Chancery Court (parents on public assistance are automatically referred).
- Establish paternity if needed — by voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (ASAP) or court-ordered DNA testing.
- Exchange financial information; compute adjusted gross income and apply the statutory percentage.
- The Chancery Court (or agency) enters a child-support order that also includes medical support.
- Payments are collected and distributed by MDHS; enforcement tools include wage withholding and tax intercepts.
- To modify, show a material change in circumstances (or that AGI is now below $10,000 or above $100,000) and obtain a new order.
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: Obligor's adjusted gross income is $4,000/month ($48,000/year).
Walk-through: Annual AGI $48,000 × 14% = $6,720/yr ÷ 12 = $560/month.
Takeaway: Mississippi applies 14% of AGI for one child, so this obligor owes about $560/month before medical support.
Scenario: Obligor AGI is $12,000/month ($144,000/year), five children.
Walk-through: 26% × $12,000 = $3,120/month. Because AGI exceeds $100,000, the court must make a written finding that the guideline result is reasonable.
Takeaway: The 26% rate applies to 5+ children, but any AGI over $100,000 triggers a required written finding on the record.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Child-Support-Guidelines-Revised.pdf · https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/childsupport/pay/ · https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/childsupport/
How Mississippi calculates support
Mississippi uses a flat percentage of adjusted gross income by number of children (14% / 20% / 22% / 24% / 26% for 1–5 children).