South Dakota Child Support
Estimate for South Dakota
South Dakota uses the Income Shares model.
Official schedule: South Dakota Department of Social Services, Child Support Modification Handbook — Schedule SDCL 25-7-6.2 (combined monthly net income schedule; self-support reserve $871/mo) (2024)
View calculation breakdown
| Combined parental income | $9,000 |
|---|---|
| Total basic obligation (schedule) | $2,028 |
| Obligor income share | 55.6% |
| Obligor basic obligation | $1,127 |
| Estimated monthly support | $1,127 |
How the basic obligation splits between parents
Estimated monthly support by number of children
§ How South Dakota calculates support
South Dakota uses the Income Shares model under SDCL Chapter 25-7, based on each parent's MONTHLY NET income (gross minus federal/state income tax at the single-filer rate, FICA, up to 10% retirement contributions, unreimbursed business expenses, and other court-ordered support). The schedule at § 25-7-6.2 covers combined net incomes up to $30,000/month. A self-support reserve ($871/month; a 2025 commission recommended $1,148) protects low-income obligors. The Shared Parenting Worksheet applies when each parent has at least 180 overnights per year. Support ends at 18, or 19 if still in high school.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case in South Dakota
- Apply for services with the Division of Child Support Services (DCS) in the SD Department of Social Services; complete the Application for Support Services (DSS-SE-408). TANF/Medicaid families qualify automatically.
- Establish paternity if unmarried (Voluntary Paternity Affidavit or a court petition with genetic testing).
- DCS or the court determines each parent's net income (gross less the statutory deductions) and imputes income if voluntarily unemployed/underemployed (rebuttable presumption of 35 hours/week at minimum wage).
- Use the official Child Support Obligation Worksheet (or the Shared Parenting Worksheet at 180+ overnights per parent) with the § 25-7-6.2 schedule.
- Obtain an order through the circuit court or DCS; the guideline amount is a rebuttable presumption and deviations follow § 25-7-6.10.
- Request a review/modification on a material change in circumstances (an incarcerated parent >180 days is set at the schedule minimum).
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: Parents' combined monthly net income is $30,000 with one child. The NCP earns $18,000 (60%) and the CP earns $12,000 (40%). Standard custody applies.
Walk-through: From the § 25-7-6.2 schedule, combined net income of $30,000 with one child is $3,651/month. The NCP pays 60%: 0.60 × $3,651 = $2,191/month, plus their share of health-insurance and childcare add-ons.
Takeaway: South Dakota splits the schedule base by each parent's percentage of combined net income.
Scenario: The same two parents, but each has at least 180 overnights per year with the child (shared physical custody).
Walk-through: Because each parent meets the 180-overnight threshold, the Shared Parenting Child Support Obligation Worksheet applies instead of the standard worksheet, adjusting the calculation to recognize that both households bear direct costs. The threshold (not a specific dollar) is what changes the math.
Takeaway: At 180 or more overnights per parent, South Dakota uses the shared parenting worksheet rather than the standard obligation worksheet.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://dss.sd.gov/ · https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26883/293097 · https://legalclarity.org/south-dakota-child-support-calculator-how-it-works/