Pennsylvania Child Support Calculator
Calculate Child Support
Child Support Calculation Results
Factors in Child Support Calculation
Pennsylvania child support calculations consider multiple factors:
- Income of Both Parents: All sources including wages, bonuses, commissions, and investment income
- Number of Children: Support increases with more children but at a decreasing rate
- Custody Arrangement: Shared custody reduces the basic support amount
- Child Care Expenses: Work-related child care costs are shared proportionally
- Health Insurance: Premiums paid for the children are considered
- Extraordinary Expenses: Medical, educational, or special needs expenses
- Other Dependents: Children from other relationships may reduce obligation
International Comparison
Child support approaches vary globally:
About This Calculator
This Pennsylvania child support calculator uses the state’s income shares model, which is similar to approaches used in over 40 U.S. states and several other countries.
The calculator adjusts for inflation based on the year selected and can approximate calculations for other countries based on their typical support guidelines.
For exact legal calculations, consult with a family law attorney in your jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
This calculator provides estimates based on Pennsylvania’s child support guidelines. The actual amount ordered by a court may vary based on specific circumstances, deviations, and local rules. Always consult with a family law attorney for precise calculations.
Child support guidelines are periodically updated for inflation and cost of living changes. By selecting the appropriate year, you ensure the calculation uses the correct income thresholds, poverty levels, and support schedules applicable for that time period.
In shared custody arrangements (where the child spends at least 40% of overnights with each parent), Pennsylvania applies a formula that reduces the basic support obligation. The calculator accounts for this adjustment when you select “Shared Custody” and input the number of overnights.
While specifically designed for Pennsylvania, this calculator includes options to approximate calculations for other jurisdictions. However, each state and country has unique formulas, exceptions, and guidelines. For non-Pennsylvania calculations, the results should be considered rough estimates only.
Extraordinary expenses include costs beyond basic child support, such as private school tuition, special needs therapy, summer camps, extracurricular activities, and uninsured medical expenses. These are typically shared proportionally based on parents’ incomes.