Mississippi Child Support Calculator
Calculate child support in Mississippi using the state's official Percentage of Income Model. Includes custody adjustments, health insurance credits, and childcare deductions.
Mississippi divorces typically cost 57% less than the national average of $12,900.
Child Support in Mississippi
- Formula
- Percentage of Income Model
- Income cap
- None specified
- Equal parenting presumption
- No
- Property system
- Equitable distribution
Child Support Calculator in Mississippi: What You Should Know
Mississippi uses the Percentage of Income Model, one of only a few states that applies a flat percentage of the paying parent's adjusted gross income rather than combining both incomes. The statutory rates are 14 percent for one child, 20 percent for two, 22 percent for three, 24 percent for four, and 26 percent for five or more. Adjusted gross income means gross income minus taxes and mandatory deductions, so the percentage applies to a take-home figure. Because the formula looks only at the paying parent, Mississippi support is straightforward to estimate, though the court can deviate when the percentage does not fit the family's situation.
Key point: Mississippi applies a flat percentage of the paying parent's adjusted gross income: 14 percent for one child, 20 percent for two, and 22 percent for three.
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Locked to Mississippi on this page.
Use your gross (before-tax) monthly income. If you are paid annually, divide by 12.
Use their gross (before-tax) monthly income. If they are paid annually, divide by 12.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
Child Support in Mississippi - Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in Mississippi?
Mississippi uses the Percentage of Income Model to calculate child support. Child support is calculated as a fixed percentage of the paying parent's gross income, ranging from 14% for one child upward for additional children.
Can child support be modified in Mississippi?
Yes. Either parent can request a child support modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, change in custody arrangements, or changes in the child's needs. Courts in Mississippi typically require a change of at least 15-20% in the support amount to justify modification.
Does custody arrangement affect child support in Mississippi?
Yes. Parenting time is a significant factor in child support calculations. When a parent has the children for a substantial portion of time (typically 40% or more overnights per year), child support is adjusted to reflect the additional direct costs that parent bears.
Is there an income cap for child support in Mississippi?
Mississippi does not set a specific income cap in its child support formula. However, courts have discretion to deviate from the guideline amount in cases with very high incomes.
How long does child support last in Mississippi?
Child support in Mississippi typically continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. Support may continue longer if the child has a disability or if the parents agree to extend support for college expenses.
This estimate is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a licensed family law attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.